Victoria will be the first state in Australia to mandate lead-free plumbing products in new buildings.
Minister Shing announced today that Victoria will push ahead with adopting the National Construction Code (NCC) 2025 updates on 1 May 2026.
From 1 May 2026, all regulated plumbing work must use lead-free products.
This change will make sure families know they are getting safe and high-quality products.
Most existing products already comply and are safe to keep using, however the new limit goes further by making sure families have safe drinking water.
This applies even where building permits or contracts were issued before the new standards take effect.
The NCC also includes stronger water management requirements for apartment buildings.
Water ingress is a major cause of building defects, and the new requirements will improve waterproofing on exposed surfaces like balconies.
Stronger building ventilation requirements will reduce the risks of mould and condensation in new homes.
A number of Victorian variations to the NCC are also being removed to align with the national code and make it easier for consumers and builders to work together.
These changes continue Labor's nation-leading work to deliver a building industry with consumer safety at the heart of every build.
The Building and Plumbing Commission will work with industry to make sure they're ready for the change.
While the Liberals voted to block the Building and Plumbing Commission, Labor is putting Victorian families at the heart of the building system.
As stated by Minister for Housing and Building Harriet Shing
"This Australian-first requirement puts safety and better practice at the heart of every new build in Victoria."
"These nation-leading changes are supported by plumbers and advocates who have called for this public health improvement."
"We're also continuing our work to reduce the complexity across our building system by aligning Victorian standards more closely with national rules."
