The National Construction Code: what home owners need to know

The National Construction Code is Australia’s main rule book for how buildings are designed and built. It covers things like structure, fire safety, waterproofing, stairs and balustrades, and energy efficiency.

You don’t need to read it to build or renovate. Your builder, designer and building certifier work to it. But knowing it exists helps you ask good questions.

Which edition of the NCC applies in Queensland?

A new edition, NCC 2025, was published on 1 May 2026. Queensland has delayed starting it until 1 May 2027. Until then, NCC 2022 still applies to building and plumbing work in Queensland.

If a builder or website talks about a “new rule” from NCC 2025, check whether it applies in Queensland yet.

Queensland’s own rules

Queensland adds its own rules on top, in the Queensland Development Code. These cover local matters such as how close you can build to your boundary. Your local council and building certifier can tell you which parts apply to your block.

How this affects your job

• Licensed tradies must follow it. Work that doesn’t meet the code can be defective work, which QBCC can deal with.
• Approvals check it. When a job needs building approval, the certifier checks the plans against the code.
• DIY work isn’t exempt. If you build something yourself, it still has to meet the code.

Where to read it

The code is published by the Australian Building Codes Board on its website. It is long and technical. For a question about your own job, a building certifier is the best person to ask.