Streamlining & modernising the National Construction Code - RAA Submission
In its submission to Treasury, the Regional Architecture Association strongly supports the Federal Government’s commitment to housing reform and the streamlining of the regulatory framework surrounding the National Construction Code (NCC). From a regional perspective, the Association highlights the distinct challenges faced by practitioners working hundreds of kilometres from major urban centres, where regulatory programs and consultation processes are often not tailored to local conditions. The submission emphasises that reform must recognise the realities of regional practice while maintaining high-quality, design-led outcomes delivered by skilled professionals.
The submission calls for stronger governance of the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB), with clear independence from industry influence and funding secured solely through government. It proposes a 12-year major NCC revision cycle, supported by targeted 3–4 year updates in fast-evolving areas such as sustainability and prefabrication. Earlier, more focused stakeholder engagement and clearer, plain-English drafting would improve compliance, reduce disruption, and support productivity.
While the NCC’s minimum standards and performance pathways are considered fundamentally sound, inconsistencies across state and territory variations increase cost and complexity. Streamlining performance solutions, expanding deemed-to-satisfy provisions, and reducing ambiguity would improve efficiency without compromising safety or quality. The need to maintain access to simple and quantifiable performance solution options over potentially unregulated “best practice” solutions is a fundamental consideration. The submission stresses that affordability must not come at the expense of long-term building performance or public safety.
Most prominently, the Association argues that all mandatory regulatory documents—particularly the Australian Standards—must be made free to access. As legally required compliance documents, they should not sit behind paywalls. Free digital access would promote consistent interpretation, improve safety, reduce defects, and strengthen industry-wide compliance. This reform is presented as a simple, practical, and essential step toward a more effective and equitable national regulatory system.
