NCC 2022 Compliance Checklist for Australian Residential Builders
The National Construction Code 2022 brought the biggest set of residential changes in over a decade. The 7-star NatHERS energy efficiency requirement, expanded condensation management, livable housing standards, and tightened waterproofing rules have all landed in residential builds across Australia — with each state adopting on slightly different timelines.
This is a practical compliance checklist for Australian residential builders working under NCC 2022. It covers what changed, what to check on every job, and where the most common failures happen.
State of adoption (current at time of writing):
- VIC, NSW, ACT, QLD, SA, TAS, WA: NCC 2022 in force for residential
- Some transitional arrangements apply where building permits were lodged under earlier editions
Compliance is your responsibility as the builder. This checklist is a working summary, not legal advice. For specific projects, refer to the official National Construction Code and your state's adopting regulation.
1. Energy efficiency — the 7-star NatHERS rating
The biggest residential change. New homes (Class 1a and most Class 2 units) must achieve a minimum NatHERS rating of 7 stars (up from 6).
What to check on every job
- Has the NatHERS assessment been completed? No assessment, no compliant build. Get the assessment before construction documentation is finalised — retrofitting compliance is expensive.
- Whole-of-home energy budget: in addition to the 7-star envelope rating, NCC 2022 introduced a whole-of-home (WoH) annual energy budget covering heating, cooling, hot water, lighting, and pool/spa. The home must meet both.
- Glazing: window U-values and SHGC are now key compliance drivers. Standard single-glazed aluminium typically fails. Most 7-star designs require either double glazing or high-performance single glazing with thermally broken frames.
- Insulation values: ceiling, wall, and underfloor insulation requirements have stepped up. Check that nominated R-values are achievable in the wall cavity depth specified.
- Thermal bridging: NCC 2022 requires consideration of thermal bridging in framed walls. Spec'd insulation R-value alone isn't enough on metal-framed walls.
Common failures
- Builder substitutes a different window product without re-running NatHERS — fails final assessment.
- Insulation installed with gaps or compression — installer not given specific R-value targets per location.
- Eave overhangs reduced during design changes without re-running passive solar modelling.
2. Condensation management
NCC 2022 expanded condensation requirements significantly, recognising that high-performance envelopes can trap moisture if not detailed correctly. This is the most under-documented compliance area on AU residential sites.
What to check
- Vapour permeable membranes where required. The wrong membrane in a cool climate zone creates condensation inside the wall cavity.
- Bathroom and laundry exhaust: now must vent externally (not into roof cavity), and minimum flow rates apply.
- Subfloor ventilation for raised floor construction in climate zones where it's required.
- Roof space ventilation: under-eave vents and ridge ventilation for tiled roofs in relevant climate zones.
Common failures
- Bathroom exhaust vented into roof cavity — automatic non-compliance.
- Plastic vapour barrier installed in a climate zone that requires vapour permeable membrane — moisture trapped in wall.
3. Livable housing — silver level minimum
NCC 2022 introduced minimum Livable Housing Design requirements for all new Class 1a dwellings (and most Class 2). This is the Silver Level of the Livable Housing Australia guidelines, made mandatory.
What to check
- Step-free dwelling entry from the street or parking space.
- One step-free path to the entrance — slope, width, surface.
- Internal doorways at minimum 820mm clear opening width (most door schedules need updating).
- Hallways and corridors at minimum 1000mm clear width along the step-free path.
- One ground-floor toilet that meets the minimum dimensional requirements (1200mm clear in front, etc.).
- Reinforced bathroom walls at toilet, shower, and bath locations to enable future grab-rail installation.
- Step-free shower in at least one bathroom — no hob, level entry from the bathroom floor.
Common failures
- Reinforced wall blocking specified but not installed — concealed, expensive to retrofit after lining.
- Internal doors ordered at 720mm or 770mm when 820mm is required — entire door schedule fails.
- Step-free shower constructed with a 20mm hob "to control water" — fails the standard.
4. Waterproofing — AS 3740-2021 referenced
NCC 2022 references the updated waterproofing standard AS 3740-2021 for wet areas, which has tightened requirements.
What to check
- Waterproofing membrane applied to: shower floor, full shower walls, hob, vertical junction between shower and floor, threshold between wet/dry areas.
- Membrane inspection point: waterproofing must be inspected and photographed before tiling. Practical advice: have the waterproofer photograph their work and store the photos in the project file.
- Floor falls: minimum 1:80 in showers, with no flat or back-falling sections.
- Sealants and tile adhesives must be compatible with the waterproofing membrane — check the manufacturer's compatibility statement.
Common failures
- Waterproofing applied but no inspection documentation — re-do or extensive testing required.
- Hob waterproofed on top only, not down the sides into the bedding — water tracks behind tiles.
- Sub-contractor waterproofing without licensing in states that require it.
5. Bushfire (BAL) requirements
While bushfire compliance isn't unique to NCC 2022, the construction requirements at higher BAL levels intersect with all the other NCC 2022 changes. If the build is in a bushfire-prone area:
- BAL assessment before construction documentation.
- AS 3959 compliance for construction at the assessed BAL level.
- Window products at high BAL ratings often conflict with NatHERS performance — coordinate early.
- External cladding and decking must meet the BAL rating; many timber decks fail at BAL 29 and above.
6. Termite management
- AS 3660.1 compliance for new builds. Termite management system (chemical barrier, physical barrier, or both) installed and certified before flooring.
- Documentation: certificate of installation from the licensed installer, kept in the project file. Most building surveyors won't sign off final inspection without it.
7. Plumbing — AS/NZS 3500
Plumbing compliance is licensed-trade responsibility, but the builder coordinates and is responsible for documentation:
- Compliance certificate from the licensed plumber.
- Backflow prevention where required.
- Hot water service installation per AS 3498.
- Drainage and stormwater per the local council requirements.
8. Electrical — AS/NZS 3000
Similarly tradesperson responsibility, but coordinate:
- Compliance certificate from the licensed electrical contractor.
- RCD protection on all final sub-circuits.
- Smoke alarm compliance — interconnected, hardwired smoke alarms in all required rooms.
- EV charging infrastructure provision (NCC 2022 doesn't require installed EV chargers but several states have added requirements for cabling provision).
9. Structural and waterproofing inspections
The mandatory inspection regime varies by state, but generally:
- Footing/slab inspection before pour
- Frame inspection before sheeting/lining
- Wet area waterproofing inspection before tiling
- Final inspection before occupancy permit
Failing to book the right inspections at the right stages causes weeks of delay. Build it into your phase tracker.
How Build Margin helps with NCC 2022 compliance
Build Margin's estimating platform ships with NCC 2022 line items pre-mapped — when the AI takeoff identifies a window, it surfaces the relevant NCC compliance requirements (NatHERS-relevant glazing, BAL-relevant construction if applicable). It doesn't replace your assessor or building surveyor, but it surfaces the right compliance considerations at the estimating stage, so they don't get missed and turned into expensive variations later.
The Phase Tracker also includes a configurable compliance checklist that follows the build through structural, waterproofing, and final inspection stages — so nothing falls through the cracks when you're juggling 6+ jobs at once.
Start a free 14-day trial to see how NCC 2022 compliance flows through estimating and project management on your next job.
Downloadable PDF version
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Last updated November 2026. NCC adoption timelines and specific requirements vary by state and may have updated since publication. Always refer to the official National Construction Code and your state's adopting regulation for the authoritative position.