Regulation in Flux: What the NCC 2025 Changes Could Mean for Builders
Regulation in Flux: What the NCC 2025 Changes Could Mean for Builders
Australia’s building rulebook, the National Construction Code, the NCC, is once again in the spotlight. Every three years, the code gets updated to reflect new priorities in housing design, safety and sustainability. The 2025 draft has already stirred plenty of conversation, with proposals that touch on some hot-button topics for builders: energy efficiency, waterproofing, condensation management and even electric vehicle charging.
So, what’s on the table?
The draft NCC 2025 sets out several new expectations:
- Energy efficiency: Raising the bar for how homes and commercial buildings perform, with better insulation and smarter energy use.
- Condensation and mould: New rules to keep homes healthier by tackling moisture build-up, which has been a growing issue in today’s more airtight builds.
- Waterproofing: Stronger requirements for balconies and carparks, aimed at reducing costly leaks and repairs down the track.
- EV readiness: Making sure new homes and apartments are built with the wiring and switchboard capacity to easily add EV chargers later.
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) has flagged these as some of the key shifts builders should prepare for.
A moving target:
The challenge right now is that the timetable isn’t set in stone. Normally, code updates roll out like clockwork. But this time, governments have hit pause. The Australian Building Codes Board confirmed that full adoption of NCC 2025 won’t follow the usual schedule, leaving the current NCC 2022 as the working standard for now.
That delay has divided opinion. Some industry groups welcome the breathing room, noting the extra costs and training involved. Others, including Engineers Australia, argue that stalling changes risks holding back innovation and leaving homeowners with less efficient, lower-quality homes. Architects have voiced similar concerns, saying progress shouldn’t grind to a halt.
Why it matters on site:
For builders, these draft changes are more than policy talk. Moisture and mould complaints are becoming more common across Australian homes, and governments are keen to stop those issues before they start. Similarly, EV ownership is rising sharply, and retrofitting wiring for chargers after construction can be a major headache.
In short: even if the rules aren’t locked in yet, the direction is clear -- homeowners are expecting healthier, more energy-smart, future-ready homes.
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What you can do now.
Treat the draft as a preview: start thinking about how waterproofing, ventilation and energy-efficiency upgrades could affect your designs and quotes.
Plan ahead with EVs: Offering EV-ready switchboards and wiring as an option now could be a selling point with buyers.
Stay connected: Keep an eye on updates from the ABCB, HIA and state regulators. The code may be delayed, but change is definitely coming.
The bottom line?
Regulation may be in flux, but the long-term trends are obvious: homes that use less energy, stay dry and healthy, and are ready for the shift to electric transport. Forward-thinking builders who prepare now will be well placed to turn these changes into a competitive edge.
At Reece, we know that the heart of every great build isn’t just the products on site — it’s the people who make it happen. Our Onsite and Builder team is here to back you every step of the way, making sure you’ve got the right gear, delivered when and where you need it, with the service you can rely on.
From large-scale projects to boutique builds, we understand that time is money on site. That’s why we’re committed to helping you stay on schedule and on budget, with smarter solutions and a team that gets the pressure of the job. Whether it’s product advice, streamlined ordering, or deliveries that keep your workflow moving, we’re not just supplying -- we’re partnering with you.
We’re invested in your success. Because when your projects run smoothly, your business grows, and the whole industry lifts. So lean on us. Let’s work together to tackle the challenges of today and build the opportunities of tomorrow.
Talk to the Reece Onsite and Builder team today — and let’s get it done, together.