Victoria and Queensland adopt NCC 2022

From today (1 May) Victoria and Queensland will adopt the updated National Construction Code (NCC 2022) which includes significant changes to energy efficiency requirements. 

The move follows the ACT’s adoption of NCC 2022 on 15 January and the introduction of enhanced BASIX in NSW from October 2023.  

The NCC updates reflect advancements in building technologies and industry best practices, and aim to improve building quality, safety, and energy efficiency. The new requirements will apply to new residential building approvals. 

What’s changing?

NCC 2022 incorporates major amendments and improvements, including enhanced fire safety measures, updated energy efficiency requirements, and provisions for accessible housing design. 

Specific energy efficiency changes for Victoria and Queensland will mean new houses and apartments must meet a minimum 7-star thermal star rating as well as a Whole-of-Home rating. 

For general information on NCC 2022 see the Australian Building Codes Board website. 

See the NatHERS transitional arrangements page for advice on using NatHERS software.

Contact the Victorian Building Authority or visit Queensland’s Modern Homes Standards for more information.

Support from NatHERS

We are anticipating a high volume of email enquiries as Victoria and Queensland come online with NCC 2022 requirements. We will work hard to respond to enquiries as soon as possible but we are anticipating longer than standard turnaround times. 

If your query is a technical one, we encourage you to review the following resources first to try and find a solution:

Assessor Toolkit updates 

Looking for specific advice and guidance on the NCC 2022 software updates? Check out the Assessor Toolkit on the NatHERS website which now includes a new Troubleshooting page. 

This helpful new Q&A style resource features a log of technical questions and answers collated from the NatHERS inbox, and the recent software demonstration sessions held in March. Still in its infancy, this document is expected to grow with time as more Q&As are addressed and added. 

The Toolkit also includes Whole of Home and thermal software and technical advice, important research documents and links to the updated Tech Note, and Assessor Handbook.

Developed in consultation with Assessor Accrediting Organisations (AAOs), it streamlines access to key information and aims to support assessors dealing with complex and evolving technical issues.

The WERSLink online library resource has had some delays but is expected to be added to the Tools by mid-2024. Assessors should keep an eye out for newsletters and website updates from their AAOs. 

Assessors can also find simple advice and guidance on sustainable building and design on the comprehensive Your Home website which features easy to navigate chapters on:

Whole of Home training is changing 

The process for training and becoming accredited in Whole of Home has changed. Due to technical updates in the Tech Note the introductory training modules are now out of date. They were taken offline on 26 April. Moving forward Appendix D of the AAO Protocol will apply. 

If you are an accredited Thermal Performance Assessor who wants to become accredited for Whole of Home, you must complete training via Whole of Home Continuous Professional Development (CPD) and in the software tool you will use to conduct Whole of Home assessments. 

The Whole of Home software demonstration webinars conducted by NatHERS software providers in March 2024, qualify as training in software tools. If you attended one of these webinars and registered with a name that identifies you as a NatHERS accredited assessor, your details have already been forwarded to your AAO. Contact them for more information on accreditation and CPD points.

Those interested in a new career as an energy assessor must complete a Certificate IV in Home Energy Efficiency and Sustainability (CPP41119) through a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). The RTOs have updated, or are in the process of updating, their Certificate IV course to include Whole of Home content.

See the Assessor Toolkit for more details on the process for becoming accredited in Whole of Home and contact your AAO for advice.

General access to webinar demonstrations

Links to the March webinar recordings are being emailed to those who had registered for the events and requested access to the content. Assessors still need to access Whole of Home webinar training via their AAOs to become accredited for Whole of Home ratings.

If you are not a member of an AAO but are still interested in watching the recordings of the NatHERS software tool demonstrations, you can access them via the software provider websites below: 

Resources for NCC 2022

Check out these quick links to help with the transition to the new energy efficiency requirements in NCC 2022: