The NCC is Australia’s primary set of technical design and construction requirements for buildings and plumbing systems. It sets the minimum standards for safety, health, amenity, accessibility and sustainability.
The NCC is developed by the Australian Building Codes Board and adopted and administered by each state and territory through their own legislation
The National Construction Code (NCC) 2025 commenced in Tasmania on 1 May 2026. However, recent legislative changes mean this arrangement was temporary.
The Building Amendment Bill 2026 has now passed both Houses of Parliament with amendments. From 5 June, NCC 2022 again applies in Tasmania until 1 May 2027, after which time NCC 2025 will be adopted.
Effect of the Building Amendment Act 2026
The Building Amendment Bill 2026 has now passed both Houses of Parliament with amendments.
The Building Amendment Act 2026 took effect on 5 June 2026, this means:
- NCC 2025 will no longer apply in Tasmania (subject to any transitional arrangements);
- NCC 2022 will be reinstated as the applicable Code; and
NCC 2022 will remain in effect until 1 May 2027.
Transitional arrangements and exemptions
The Building Act 2016 contains transitional provisions that may provide exemptions from application of the current NCC in certain circumstances.
Under section 11(5) of the Act, exemptions may apply where:
- a certificate of likely compliance for the work was issued before the Code was adopted in Tasmania; or
- a building surveyor or relevant permit authority certifies in writing that substantial progress had been made on the design of the work before adoption of the provision by the State; or
- substantial progress had occurred before a relevant referenced standard was amended.