Australia’s building and construction industry is heading into one of its most consequential regulatory years in recent memory, with the preview of the National Construction Code (NCC) 2025 and a parallel push to modernise how the Code is developed, accessed and applied.

In his January CEO update, Adrian Piani, chief executive of the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB), outlined a wide-ranging agenda that spans productivity reform, digital transformation, modern methods of construction and long-flagged health and safety transitions such as lead free plumbing.

Taken together, the initiatives point to a clear direction of travel: fewer regulatory roadblocks, clearer guidance for practitioners and a stronger alignment between national building standards and Australia’s housing delivery targets.

NCC 2025: what is changing and what is not

The NCC 2025 preview is now live with formal adoption from 1 May 2026, is designed to give industry early visibility of the next round of changes before they take effect. While final adoption remains a matter for individual states and territories, Building Ministers have already confirmed the core scope.

Key changes in NCC 2025 will focus on commercial and multi-residential buildings, including:

• Improved water management provisions in commercial and apartment buildings
• Enhanced fire safety requirements for carparks
• Commercial energy efficiency reforms, including mandatory onsite solar photovoltaic systems
• New condensation mitigation measures

Importantly for residential builders, Ministers have confirmed that there will be no additional residential energy efficiency changes, aside from essential safety and quality updates. The existing 7-star energy efficiency requirements introduced under NCC 2022 will remain in place.

For many builders, this clarity matters. After several years of rapid regulatory change, certainty around residential energy settings removes a major source of design and cost volatility.

Education and transition support front and centre

Recognising the complexity of the Code and the pressure already on builders, the ABCB plans to roll out a structured education program following the NCC 2025 publication.

This will include a series of NCC 2025 webinars, alongside updated handbooks, guidance documents and technical resources aimed at helping practitioners understand not just what has changed, but how to apply the new provisions on the ground.

The emphasis on education reflects a broader shift away from compliance by confusion and toward practical implementation support, particularly for small builders and regional operators who do not have in-house compliance teams.

Modernising the NCC: beyond technical amendments

Running alongside the NCC 2025 work is a broader Treasury-led initiative to modernise the National Construction Code itself. Public consultation on this reform agenda is now open, with the closing date extended to 27 February 2026.

The consultation goes well beyond technical clauses. It examines:

• Governance and how the NCC is developed
• The growing complexity of the Code
• Usability and accessibility for practitioners
• Cost effectiveness of compliance
• How innovation and modern construction methods can be better supported

At its core, the modernisation agenda aims to create a regulatory system that maintains safety and quality standards while reducing unnecessary friction in housing delivery.

For builders grappling with delays, conflicting interpretations and rising administrative costs, this consultation represents a rare opportunity to influence how the rules of the game are written.

Modern methods of construction and voluntary certification

One of the more strategically significant initiatives flagged in the CEO update is the continued development of a national voluntary certification scheme for manufacturers using modern methods of construction (MMC).

Backed by Building Ministers, the scheme is intended to reduce regulatory barriers for prefabrication, modular and offsite construction, while giving regulators, builders and financiers greater confidence in certified systems.

With MMC increasingly positioned as a lever to accelerate housing supply, a nationally recognised certification pathway could help move the sector beyond pilot projects and into mainstream delivery.

Digital systems, AI and the future NCC user experience

The ABCB has also committed to reviewing and upgrading its digital systems, including the ABCB website, with a focus on improving access to guidance and NCC content.

More notably, the Board has acknowledged the potential role of artificial intelligence and other digital tools in improving how the NCC is developed and used. This includes exploring how AI could help practitioners navigate requirements more easily, reduce duplication and lower compliance costs.

If executed well, digitisation could mark a step change in how builders interact with the Code, shifting it from a static reference document to a more intuitive, decision-support tool.

CodeMark and maintaining trust in certification

The CodeMark Certification Scheme remains under active review, with insights from late-2025 meetings with Conformity Assessment Bodies informing the next phase of improvements.

The ABCB has signalled its intent to ensure the scheme remains robust, efficient and responsive to industry needs, reinforcing confidence in certified products at a time when innovation and new materials are entering the market at pace.

Lead free plumbing: timelines confirmed

The transition to lead free plumbing products is now locked in, with manufacturers required to produce only Lead Free WaterMark certified products from 1 May 2026 where mandated by the NCC.

However, to support housing supply and avoid material shortages, the Board has extended the installation period for existing WaterMark certified products until 1 May 2028. This provides industry with breathing room to clear stock while maintaining a consistent national approach.

The Board also acknowledged manufacturers who have already made the transition, noting their role in meeting growing demand for lead free products.

What this means for builders

For builders, 2026 is shaping up as a year of adjustment rather than upheaval. The focus is less on headline-grabbing regulatory shocks and more on usability, clarity and long-term system reform.

The key message is engagement. Builders who take the time to review the NCC 2025 preview, participate in consultation and invest in understanding the changes will be better placed to manage risk, control costs and stay competitive as the industry continues to evolve.

Author: TGB Editorial