The National Construction Code (NCC) provides the technical provisions for the design and construction of buildings and other structures and plumbing and drainage systems.

The NCC primarily applies to the design and construction of new buildings and plumbing and drainage systems in new and existing buildings. In some cases, it may also apply to structures associated with buildings and new building work or new plumbing and drainage work in existing buildings.

The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB), on behalf of the Australian Government and each state and territory government, produces and maintains the NCC. 

The NCC is given legal effect through state and territory, or other statutory authority, building and plumbing legislation. These Acts and Regulations set out the legal framework and administration mechanisms for the NCC to support the design and construction of buildings.

The dates of adoption of the NCC are determined by state and territory building and plumbing administrations.

NCC volumes

NCC Volume One focuses on the design and construction of multi-residential, commercial, industrial and public assembly buildings and some associated structures.

NCC Volume Two focuses on the design and construction of smaller scale buildings including houses, small sheds, carports and some associated structures.

NCC Volume Three covers the design, construction and maintenance of plumbing and drainage systems in new and existing buildings.

Each volume contains:

  • Governing Requirements
  • Performance Requirements
  • Compliance options to meet the Performance Requirements
  • State and territory variations and additions

A performance-based code

The National Construction Code (NCC) is a performance-based code which sets out the requirements for the construction of buildings, including plumbing and drainage.

The NCC has two different mandatory requirements.

  • Performance Requirements outline certain criteria which must be met.
  • General requirements cover other aspects of applying the NCC. This includes its interpretation, reference documents, the acceptance of design and construction (including related evidence of suitability/documentation) and the classification of buildings within the NCC.

The NCC has both guidance information and compliance requirements. The Performance Requirements of the NCC are the minimum level that buildings, building elements and plumbing and drainage systems must meet. A building, plumbing or drainage solution will comply with the NCC if it satisfies the Performance Requirements.

The majority of NCC referenced documents, such as Australian Standards, form part of the Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions of the NCC. Therefore, use of a version of a document other than the one referenced in the NCC requires the use of a Performance Solution.

Practitioners have choices about which NCC compliance path they wish to follow but are responsible for demonstrating compliance through adequate documentation of the Assessment Methods used.

More questions? 

Learn more about the NCC through our frequently asked questions about the NCC.