Our Initiatives

The Australian Building Codes Board’s (ABCB) work program comprises work identified in the Business Plan, as well as a range of initiatives and projects that deliver on key policy priorities identified by Building Ministers.

On this page you will find information on each of the ABCB’s current initiatives. You can also find out more about the work program through the current Business Plan.

Prefabricated, modular and offsite construction

Building Ministers have asked the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) to work with industry and governments to develop guidance that facilitates the increased use of prefabricated and modular construction technologies in Australia that are compliant with the National Construction Code (NCC).

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Building Confidence Report – Model Guidance

In 2019, state and territory Building Ministers tasked the ABCB with developing national responses to 22 recommendations in the Building Confidence Report (BCR), and developing a definition of building complexity.

Education

The Australian Building Codes Board provides resources for practitioners to better understand and competently use the National Construction Code, free for download from our resource library.

Fire Safety

Find out what projects are currently being undertaken to ensure the robustness of the NCC fire safety provisions.

Livable housing

NCC 2022 introduces new minimum standards relating to building use by older Australians and those with disability, to ensure that housing is designed to meet the needs of the community.

Energy efficiency

Energy efficiency is a core focus of our work program and forms part of the Australian, state and territory governments’ strategies to improve energy productivity and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Increased and competent use of performance

Find out how the Australian Building Codes Board is working to increase competent use of the National Construction Code's Performance Requirements.

Plumbing Code Research

The Australian Building Codes Board undertakes Plumbing Code Research and Development Projects, to ensure the rigorous development of Volume Three of the National Construction Code.

WaterMark awareness

The WaterMark Certification Scheme is a mandatory scheme for plumbing and drainage products of a certain type. Certification ensures products are fit for purpose and appropriately authorised for use.

International relations

The Australian Building Codes Board participates in a number of international initiatives, and assists it in helping deliver on its Intergovernmental Agreement’s objective for an internationally competitive building industry.

Campaigns

Our communication campaigns help raise awareness of key issues and important messages. These campaigns are intended to motivate and influence change through engagement and stakeholder empowerment.

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Improved NCC useability

The improved NCC useability project builds on the successful implementation of free online access to the code in 2015.

Condensation mitigation

To reduce condensation risk in residential buildings, a program of work was introduced to develop NCC condensation mitigation provisions.

Updating and Maintaining

One of the Australian Building Codes Board's (ABCB) primary roles is to update and maintain the National Construction Code (NCC) to ensure it is part of an effective and contemporary regulatory system.