The ACT will adopt the new 2025 National Construction Code 2025 (NCC 2025) on 1 May 2027 to provide greater support and certainty to industry in preparing for the new requirements.
This approach ensures homeowners will benefit from modern standards designed to deliver safer, healthier and more resilient homes and building while providing industry flexibility in the current period of global uncertainty.
The NCC is Australia's primary regulatory framework for building design and construction. It is developed nationally by the Australian Building Codes Board and adopted into legislation by states and territories.
To support a smooth transition, the ACT Government will provide industry with a 12-month transition period from 1 May 2026 until 1 May 2027 for new building approvals. During this time, builders can choose to comply with either the existing NCC 2022 or the updated NCC 2025 for new projects. This aligns with the adoption timing announced by New South Wales.
Projects that are already well advanced, where key planning or works applications are lodged before 1 November 2026, will also have the flexibility to choose which code applies for their project.
Minister for Planning and Sustainable Development Chris Steel said the updated code reflects national best practice and will lift building quality while supporting a capable, strong construction sector.
"The updated National Construction Code ensures new homes and buildings in the ACT meet the modern standards our community expects," Minister Steel said.
"These changes include stronger water management requirements for apartment buildings, such as improved waterproofing of balconies, which will address a major cause of building defects.
"There are also important changes to building ventilation requirements, which will reduce the risks of mould and condensation in new homes which is important in the ACT's cooler climate, and fire safety and accessibility requirements for commercial developments.
"We understand some of these changes will see the largest shift in technical requirements, particularly for commercial development, which is why we are providing industry a reasonable transition time to prepare whilst also providing a pathway for early adopters to benefit from the updated provisions.
"We will use this transition period to monitor implementation across other jurisdictions in determining the adoption of any variations to NCC 2025.
"This will include ongoing engagement with the construction sector to ensure they have the tools they need in order to apply them as we work towards enabling 30,000 new homes by 2030."
