BCA/NCC 2022 AND NEW LIVABLE HOUSING PROVISIONS
The National Construction Code (NCC) 2022 was published on 1 October and is now undergoing editorial corrections. The corrected document is anticipated to be published online in early December, although the content will essentially remain the same as the 1 October version and there is no issue in continuing to reference it.
NCC 2022 will come into effect on 1 May 2023, with a further transition phase until 1 October 2023 for energy efficiency, condensation mitigation and livable housing due to the significant scope of these changes and potential ramifications to other parts of the code. NCC 2019 Amendment 1 is still the current version until NCC 2022 has legal effect.
While the numbering of clauses will change in NCC 2022, general accessibility provisions in Volume One generally remain the same.
In Volume Two, a Livable Housing Design Standard will be introduced for the first time in its history. This will require basic accessibility elements for new Class 1a buildings (houses and the like) and Class 2 sole-occupancy units (apartments). The Standard is referenced in the Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions of Part G7 of NCC Volume One and Part H8 of NCC Volume Two.
NCC Livable Housing Design Standard accessibility elements include:
Step-free access from the allotment boundary or car parking
Basic accessibility for a parking space, if incorporated into the step-free access path
A basic level of accessibility for a dwelling entrance
Wider internal doorways and corridors
Additional spacing in a ground- or entry-level toilet
A hobless shower
Wall reinforcing in the toilet and bathroom for future installation of grabrails.
Exemptions
Some exemptions are permitted. Further information on design requirements can be found at: abcb.gov.au/news/2022/new-livable-housing-design-requirements
Non-mandatory Gold Requirements
The ABCB will also publish a non-mandatory set of ‘gold’ requirements, which can be applied on a voluntary basis to achieve an enhanced level of livability.
State and Territory
Each state and territory must confirm whether they are adopting the livable housing changes and when. We understand that NSW will not adopt the livable housing provisions and will instead maintain the current SEPP 65 Apartment Design Guide consideration for 20% of dwellings to meet the silver level of the Livable Housing Design Guidelines (LHDG), and any additional livable and adaptable housing requirements mandated by local Councils. However, this may have a significant impact on our ACT projects and we will all need to learn the extent of that as we continue working through the implementation of these new requirements.
Notes
We note that the NCC Livable Housing Design Standard has been adapted from the ‘silver’ level requirements of the LHDG (fourth edition, 2017) which were first published by Livable Housing Australia but is not an exact replication of these requirements. In several instances, adjustments were made, or exemptions permitted in response to stakeholder feedback or to create a regulatory standard. The Standard is intended as a set of minimum necessary provisions, rather than as an exemplar of best practice. It is not intended to accommodate the needs and abilities of all home occupants, be accessible to the extent of AS 1428.1, nor to deliver specialised housing for people with a disability.
