The speaker is Reza Bostani.
Hello and welcome to our practitioner education series today I will be taking you through changes to the governing requirements definition and different standards in NCC 2025.
The purpose of this session is to ease transition into NCC 2025 and help the industry to understand what they need to do differently once it’s adopted.
We will go through the changes to governing requirements, understand updated definitions and finally review the changes to the referenced documents.
As you can see, we have the NCC 2022 on the left which we’ve been working with since May 2023 and on the other side the NCC 2025 released by the ABCB on 1 February 2026.
We are currently at the Preview phase of the NCC 2025 that was released on the 1st of February 2026 for public information.
From the 1st of May 2026, the NCC 2025 will be adopted by Victoria. We note that the Victorian Variations are yet to be published and we will provide a separate announcement and presentation once they are finalised.
Section 1 of the presentation covers the key changes to NCC 2025 for governing requirements that underpin compliance.
- A2G2(5) Structural
- A4G1 Referenced Documents:
- A5G3 Evidence of Suitability
- A5G6 Fire Hazard properties and combustibility
- A6G11 Amended definition of Class 10
Let’s start with the updated clause A2G2.
Under NCC 2022, when developing a Structural Performance Solution, practitioners had two options: they could either demonstrate compliance with all relevant Performance Requirements, or they could show that their solution was equivalent to the Deemed‑to‑Satisfy provisions.
The alternative pathway of demonstrating compliance with all Performance Requirements is no longer available for this specific structural requirement.
This is further discussed in Parts 2 and 3 of this practitioner education series.
Second is changes to Clause A4G1 – Referenced Documents, which at first glance this seems administrative — but it’s very practical.
A common question on projects is: “When there is an updated edition to a standard, and the NCC references that standard, which edition do we use?”
Under NCC 2025, referenced documents now come from:
Schedule 2 or the new Register of Alternative Referenced Documents, which will be available at ABCB’s website.
This new Register allows approved updated editions to be used between NCC cycles.
However, if the edition is not in Schedule 2 and not in the register — it is not recognised for DtS. In that case, Performance Solution will be the pathway to comply with the performance requirements.
Primary vs Secondary References
A4G1 also clarifies how references work when standards point to other standards. It draws a clear line between primary referenced documents and secondary referenced documents:
Primary documents are the ones listed in Schedule 2 or the Register.
Secondary documents are the ones referenced inside those primary documents.
The NCC clarifies that secondary references are effectively "locked" to the version that existed when the primary document was published.
Documentation Requirements
NCC 2025's explanatory information highlights the need to document what you relied on. So when you use a referenced document or an alternative referenced document, you should clearly record it in the building permit documentation, occupancy documentation, and relevant project records—including the edition and publication date.
Third Clause in changes to governing requirements is A5G3, which NCC 2025 strengthens clarity around Evidence of Suitability, especially for FRL claims and accredited testing.
If a product claims an FRL, it must align with S1C2 pathways which are:
- Animated Slide 18
- A full-scale fire test by an accredited laboratory
- Or an assessment report for minor variations
The Explanatory information also specifies acceptable Accredited Testing Laboratory outputs, which includes full test, short-form regulatory information, and assessment reports.
It reinforces that quality of the reports, which are to be unabridged and consistent with fulfilling the Clause A5G3(d) description and meet A5G2(2). Animated Slide 20 and 21.
It also lists typical cases where accredited testing may be required, including Standard Fire Test, combustibility, fire hazard properties, external wall classification to AS 5113.
The key message is:
Do not accept marketing claims and ask for the actual accredited test report.
In NCC 2025, A5G6 is expanded and becomes more practical:
It now Expanded Scope – Covering Both Fire Hazard Properties AND Combustibility.
Directly names the test standards must be used for the purpose of fire hazard properties. (AS 1530.2, AS 1530.3, AS ISO 9705, AS 1530.1)
Non-Combustibility Requirements – which is testing to AS 1530.1 OR Verification pathway under Clause C2D10 (5) –
The Note provides transitional guidance stating that the determination does not need to be undertaken by an Accredited Testing Laboratory until the adoption of the next edition of the NCC.
We can demonstrate the changes to A5G6 in this flow chat. Process is simple, when we assess a material, component or assembly, the first question is : Does a DTS provision require fire hazard properties or combustibility to be assessed?
If yes — A5G6 applies.
Next, is to identify what we’re assessing.
If it’s fire hazard properties, the clause directly nominates the required test standards — such as AS 1530.2 or AS 1530.3.
It’s black and white — you must use the specified standard.
NCC 2025 introduces practical flexibility.
If the product is identical to a tested prototype, you can rely on that existing accredited test report.
If there is a minor variation, an Accredited Testing Laboratory must issue an assessment confirming performance is maintained and include any conditions and limitations.
If it’s non-combustibility, the pathway is:
For Building Materials, A material deemed to be non-combustible, if it is identical with a previously tested material and has not been combustible. OR deemed non-combustible under C2D10(5) OR when there is a minor departure from a tested material, an ATL report confirming the product can achieve non combustibility despite the departure and provide any limitations.
For components or assembly, the pathway is to test to AS 1530.1 or use the C2D10(5) pathway.
If you’re dealing with an assembly, and every component is already proven non-combustible, the entire assembly is deemed non-combustible.
So, no full assembly testing is required.
The last Clause from changes to Governing requirements is Clause A6G11, which has a wording change.
NCC 2022 defined a Class 10 building as a 'non-habitable building or structure.' The 2025 rewords this to 'a Class 10 building or structure is non-habitable.' Same meaning, but cleaner sentence.
The reason for the change is that the old wording created a small inconsistency. Class 10 includes things like fences, retaining walls, and swimming pools structures that aren't buildings. Defining them under a clause that started with 'building' was technically imprecise. The new wording fixes that by applying the non-habitable description to both buildings and structures together.
Section 2 of the presentation covers the Key NCC 2025 changes to Definitions. Which include Amended definitions and newly added terms.
NCC 2025 refines and introduces several definitions to remove grey areas.
I’ll go through the changes in a few of them as examples.
First – Mezzanine: The new definition adds: "that is not separated from that room by walls.“
Why this means and matters: If you enclose a mezzanine with full-height walls, it's no longer a mezzanine, it becomes a storey. This triggers re-calculation of Rise in Storeys and potentially elevate the Type of construction.
Second – Fire Hazard Properties: Expanded scope to be aligned with A5G6 changes and It now lists the exact standards that the products need to be tested for the purpose of Fire Hazard Properties.
Third – Combustible.
The definition aligns with AS 1530.1 testing.
There is no middle ground.
If it is not proven non-combustible — it is combustible.
That clarity removes interpretation gaps.
Fourth - Fire-source Feature:
The definition expands to include construction edges or perimeters of other buildings on the allotment.
Practically, this means your site analysis must now account for all non-Class 10 buildings which has a use that constitutes a fire load.
Please check Schedule 1 to see all the amended definitions that are in NCC 2025.
NCC 2025 introduces a number of new defined terms like control layer, rising damp, fire protected steel, stormwater, and others.
It is tightening the language, so everyone is working in a project has the same understanding, particularly where compliance depends on how a term is defined.
I’ll use ramps as an example of how clearer definitions directly affect how we design and assess compliance.”
Please feel free to check Schedule 1 to see all the new definitions that are in NCC 2025.
In NCC 2025, we now have clearer definitions for kerb ramps, step ramps, and threshold ramps.
A kerb ramp is a ramp incorporated in a kerb
A step ramp is a ramp, other than a kerb ramp, not exceeding 190 mm in height
And a threshold ramp is "a ramp located in or at a threshold."
The new defined terms are considered necessary to clarify the amendments in NCCs. These intentionally differ to existing definitions (e.g., those in AS 1428.1) because existing definitions are not applicable to all scenarios (e.g., for Volume Two). The effected NCC clauses will be explained in Part 2 and 3 of these presentation series.
With the referenced Standards we do have updated editions, newly added standards and some transitions notes.
NCC 2025 updates multiple standards, including:
- AS 1170.4
- AS 1530.1
- AS/NZS 3500
These affect structural design, fire safety, plumbing, cladding and other compliance requirements under the national Construction Code.
Newly added referenced standards introduced into Schedule 2 of NCC 2025.
These four new standards mainly target two areas: energy efficiency and cladding systems, and the practical point is that they give industry a clearer, and more consistent pathways for compliance.
On the energy side, NCC is introducing new standards for air conditioners and heat pumps. The intent here is to tighten up how performance is tested and rated, so energy modelling and equipment selection is based on a consistent method.
On the cladding side, AS 5346 is the new added standard, and provides a clearer standard pathway for exterior insulation and finish systems, which have historically been a grey area and often needed additional justification for the approval.
Another important aspect of the referenced standards is the transition notes. This is one of the most practical parts of NCC 2025 because it directly affects whether test reports and product evidence will be accepted.
The core rule is simple: if the testing was done before the new edition is adopted, the existing report can remain valid. But if testing is commissioned after adoption, it must use the new referenced edition.
Just to summarise, today we’ve covered the key governing changes in the NCC 2025, particularly the strengthened requirements around structural Performance Solutions, clearer definitions to remove uncertainty and inconsistent interpretation, and finally updated and newly added referenced standards.
The main takeaway is that NCC 2025 isn’t radically changing the framework, but it is tightening governance, improving clarity, and raising expectations around documentation and version control.
So, moving forward, the focus should be on understanding the new reliability benchmarks, aligning specifications with updated standards, and carefully managing transition rules to avoid compliance risks.
That’s really the core message from Part 1 of the NCC 2025 presentation series.
Thank you for your time, if you have any questions, please give us a call or send an email to technicalenquiry@bpc.vic.gov.au.