New requirements for the building and construction industry to improve the energy efficiency and accessibility of new ACT buildings will come into effect on 15 January 2024.

The updated National Construction Code in the ACT was initially supposed to be implemented in October 2023.

However, the date had to be pushed back due to the late delivery of the software to measure energy ratings under the new House Energy Rating Scheme from the Commonwealth government.

ACT Minister for Sustainable Building and Construction Rebecca Vassarotti said: “The additional time will give the building and construction industry a greater opportunity to become familiar with the new software and to undergo training allowing industry to ensure new building designs meet the 7-star energy efficiency and whole of home energy use provisions.

“The ACT is leading the country in the implementation of these improved standards, adopting the changes as quickly as it technically possible and not delaying implementation in ways that other jurisdictions have chosen to do.”

The new requirements include:

• Residential energy efficiency (increasing the minimum level of thermal performance of new homes to the equivalent of 7 stars and a new whole of home energy use budget).
• New and improved condensation management provisions.
• Commercial building energy efficiency (requiring certain buildings to have features that facilitate the future installation of on-site renewables and electric vehicle charging).
• Liveable housing design – introducing requirements to improve accessibility now and making making it easier and cheaper to adapt houses in the future to be more accessible.

The National Construction Code is amended every three years by the Australian Building Code Board (ABCB) that conducts extensive industry and community engagement to inform each new amendment.

Visit the Build Buy Renovate website for more information about the implementation of the NCC 2022 in the ACT.

To learn more about the National Construction Code, and the consultation undertaken by the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) to inform NCC 2022, visit the Australian Building Codes Board website.