NCC 2022 Volume Two: how to read and use the residential code

TL;DR

NCC 2022 Volume Two is the residential half of Australia’s building code: it governs every Class 1 house, townhouse, duplex, and Class 10 garage, shed, pool or fence built in the country. Reading it means reading two documents in parallel: Volume Two holds the Performance Requirements and governing rules; the ABCB Housing Provisions Standard 2022 holds the prescriptive DTS numbers builders and certifiers actually use day to day. The big NCC 2022 changes over 2019: thermal performance lifted to 7-star NatHERS, a Whole of Home energy budget added, and mandatory livable housing minimums (Part H8) introduced for new houses for the first time. Miss the two-document structure and you will miss the actual compliance numbers.

What Volume Two is

The National Construction Code (NCC) is published by the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) and sets minimum technical standards for the design and construction of buildings in Australia (verified 2026-05-09 via ncc.abcb.gov.au).

Volume Two is the residential volume. It applies to:

Class 1 buildings: houses, townhouses, row houses, duplexes, small short-stay accommodation (Class 1a and Class 1b)
Class 10a buildings: garages, carports, sheds, and private outbuildings
Class 10b structures: fences, masts, antennas, retaining walls, free-standing swimming pools
Class 10c buildings: private bushfire shelters

Volume One covers Class 2 to 9 (apartments, offices, retail, commercial). Volume Three is the Plumbing Code of Australia (PCA), covering all classes. If a residential builder’s work sits in Class 1 or Class 10, Volume Two is the document.

The two-document system

NCC 2022 Volume Two does not stand alone. It works in combination with a second ABCB document:

NCC 2022 Volume Two holds:

Section A: Governing Requirements (how to classify, interpret, and comply)
Section H: Performance Requirements for Class 1 and 10 buildings (Parts H1 to H8)
Schedules for state and territory variations

ABCB Housing Provisions Standard 2022 holds:

The Deemed-to-Satisfy (DTS) prescriptive numbers and methods referenced from Section H
What was previously called Section 3 (Acceptable Construction Practices, or ACP) in NCC 2019 Volume Two
The actual figures for footings, bracing, fire separation, balustrade heights, waterproofing turn-ups, etc.

Most day-to-day compliance work happens in the Housing Provisions, not the front of Volume Two. A designer checking a balustrade height opens the Housing Provisions. A builder checking garage-to-dwelling fire separation opens the Housing Provisions. Volume Two sets the Performance Requirement; the Housing Provisions states the DTS numbers that satisfy it (verified 2026-05-09 via ncc.abcb.gov.au).

Both documents are free to download from the ABCB website with a free account.

Section H: the eight parts

Section H contains all the technical requirements for Class 1 and 10 buildings. Eight parts cover the lot:

Part	Subject
H1	Structure: loads, footings, slabs, framing, masonry, glazing
H2	Damp and weatherproofing: subfloor damp, external walls, roofs, box gutters
H3	Fire safety: garage separation, smoke alarms, BAL bushfire construction
H4	Health and amenity: wet areas, ventilation, sound, daylight, sanitary facilities
H5	Safe movement and access: stairs, balustrades, handrails, slip resistance
H6	Energy efficiency: NatHERS thermal rating, Whole of Home energy budget, services
H7	Ancillary provisions: Class 10b structures, pool barriers, additional requirements
H8	Livable housing design: step-free entry, accessible WC, wider doors and corridors

State and territory variations are added as scheduled parts: SA adds H9 (water efficiency) and H10 (disability access); WA adds H9 (water use). Always check the relevant state schedule.

Two compliance pathways

Every Part of Section H offers two ways to comply:

Deemed-to-Satisfy (DTS)

Follow the prescriptive numbers and methods in the Housing Provisions (and the Australian Standards referenced from it) and the design is automatically taken to comply with the Performance Requirement. No engineer’s report, no certifier’s independent assessment: the number is the number.

Most residential builds use DTS for most parts. AS 1684 (timber framing), AS 2870 (slabs and footings), and AS 3740 (waterproofing) are the most commonly referenced standards from the DTS provisions.

Performance Solution

Where DTS cannot be met or is uneconomic, a suitably qualified professional (engineer, fire-safety consultant, energy assessor) prepares a report demonstrating the design satisfies the Performance Requirement by other means. The certifier (PCA) reviews and accepts the report.

Performance Solutions are normal and legal under NCC 2022 Part A2 (Governing Requirements). Common use cases on residential projects: heritage retrofits, awkward sites, novel materials, complex fire scenarios. They cost money (consultant fee plus certifier review), so budget them early if the design is heading that way (verified 2026-05-09 via ncc.abcb.gov.au).

Key changes from NCC 2019

NCC 2022 introduced five significant changes to the residential code (verified 2026-05-09 via ncc.abcb.gov.au):

1. Document restructure (Consistent Volume Structure)

The biggest single formatting change. NCC 2022 adopted a standardised clause structure across all three volumes. For Volume Two, this was a major reorganisation: the old Section 1 (Governing), Section 2 (Performance Requirements), and Section 3 (Acceptable Construction Practices) gave way to the current two-document structure. Legacy clause numbers (e.g. P2.3.1) were replaced by the new system (e.g. H3P1). Both systems reference the same underlying requirement.

2. Energy: 7-star NatHERS plus Whole of Home (Part H6)

NCC 2019 required 6-star NatHERS thermal performance. NCC 2022 raised this to 7 stars and added a second dimension: the Whole of Home (WoH) energy budget, which limits annual energy consumption from fixed appliances (heating, cooling, hot water, lighting, pool/spa pumps) and counts on-site PV as a credit.

Two practical effects: designs that scraped through at 6 stars typically need better glazing or higher wall and ceiling R-values to reach 7; and services selection (gas vs heat pump, inefficient lighting) can now fail a design that passes on the thermal side.

3. Livable housing design: mandatory minimums (Part H8)

New in NCC 2022. Part H8 introduced mandatory minimum accessibility features for new Class 1a houses and attached Class 1b buildings. The minimums align with the silver level of the Livable Housing Design Guidelines (ABCB Standard for Livable Housing Design 2022). At minimum: a step-free path from the boundary to the entry, an accessible WC on the entry level, a hobless or walk-in shower, wider doorways and corridors, and noggings or sheet bracing in bathroom walls for future grab-rail installation.

4. Condensation management improvements (Part H2 and H6)

NCC 2019 introduced initial condensation provisions. NCC 2022 expanded them: a mould index measurement was added to the verification method; enhanced ventilation requirements for specific rooms and roof spaces; and new minimum vapour permeance requirements for external wall and roof materials. Most impact is on climate zones prone to condensation risk (alpine, humid).

5. Waterproofing and weatherproofing updates (Part H2 and H4)

New DTS provisions in Volume Two for waterproofing of wet areas not previously covered by the old Section 3. Additional solutions for weatherproofing of external walls referencing Australian Standards for various cladding materials. Floor waste fall requirements were formalised: bathrooms and laundries with a floor waste installed must have graded falls to that waste.

What Volume Two does not cover

Topic	Where it lives
Class 2 to 9 buildings (apartments, offices, retail)	NCC Volume One (BCA)
Plumbing rough-in, drainage, water services	NCC Volume Three (PCA), backed by AS 3500
Electrical wiring and switchgear	AS/NZS 3000 (Wiring Rules)
State licensing of who may do the work	State regulators: Fair Trading (NSW), VBA (Vic), QBCC (Qld), etc.
Planning rules: setbacks, height, FSR, overlays	Local LEP / DCP / SEPP, assessed in the DA
Heritage, flooding, bushfire planning	State planning instruments, not the NCC
WHS on site, SWMS requirements	WHS Acts and SafeWork regulators

How to navigate the code

Identify the building class (Section A Part A6 of Volume Two). Most houses are Class 1a; a detached garage is Class 10a.
Open NCC 2022 Volume Two to the relevant Part of Section H for the aspect you are checking (structure, fire, energy, etc.).
Read the Performance Requirement in the Part. This is the mandatory objective.
Open the ABCB Housing Provisions Standard to find the DTS provisions referenced from that Part. This is where the actual numbers live.
Check the state schedule in Volume Two for any state-specific variations (e.g. SA H9 for water, NSW for BASIX energy pathway).
If DTS cannot be met, brief a suitably qualified professional for a Performance Solution report.

Both documents are free: NCC 2022 Volume Two and the ABCB Housing Provisions Standard are accessible with a free ABCB account.

What can go wrong

Using Volume Two alone, without the Housing Provisions. Volume Two contains the Performance Requirements but not most of the DTS numbers. A design assessed against Volume Two alone is incomplete.
Using the pre-2022 document structure. The old P2.X.X clause numbering, old Section 3 (ACP), and old ACM references don’t exist in NCC 2022. If a detail refers to “P2.3.2” or “Section 3 ACP”, it’s referencing NCC 2019 or earlier.
Assuming the state has adopted NCC 2022. Adoption was staggered. Some states adopted the full code including H6 energy and H8 livable housing at different dates. Confirm the state’s current NCC adoption notice before designing or quoting. See the NCC version transitions article for a full state-by-state table.
Ignoring state schedules. SA and WA added mandatory water efficiency requirements (SA H9, WA H9). NSW runs a different compliance path for Part H6 energy via BASIX. Missing a state schedule is a compliance gap.
Conflating the Performance Requirement with the DTS number. The Performance Requirement is the mandatory outcome. The DTS number is one way to achieve it. There can be multiple DTS paths, and a Performance Solution is always a legal alternative.

State variations

VIC

Victoria gives the NCC legal force through the Building Act 1993 and Building Regulations 2018, administered by the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) (verified 2026-05-09). NCC 2022 applied from 1 May 2023 with Part H6 energy (7-star plus Whole of Home) deferred to 1 October 2023 and a transitional concession running until 1 May 2024. Victoria adopted NCC 2025 on 1 May 2026 with no transition period, and trimmed the Victorian Appendix variations from 115 down to 60 clauses across the three volumes (verified 2026-05-09). Schedule 10 (Victoria) holds the active Volume Two variations, including modified plumbing references, bushfire and termite provisions, and deletions where Victorian regulations already cover the matter. Always read Volume Two alongside the current Victorian Appendix on the VBA site.

QLD

Queensland gives the NCC legal force through the Building Act 1975 and Building Regulation 2021, administered by the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) (verified 2026-05-09). NCC 2022 commenced 1 May 2023, with Modern Homes Phase 1 livable housing (Part H8) from 1 October 2023 and Phase 2 energy efficiency (7-star plus Whole of Home) from 1 May 2024. Queensland has delayed NCC 2025 to 1 May 2027 (verified 2026-05-09), so NCC 2022 remains the in-force edition through 2026. Schedule 5 (Queensland) sets the Volume Two variations, but the Queensland Development Code (QDC) sits over the top: QDC parts (notably MP 4.1 Sustainable Buildings and MP 4.5 Livable Dwellings) prevail over the NCC where they vary it, and pool fencing, smoke alarm interconnection, and termite management each have QLD-specific overlays.

TAS

Tasmania gives the NCC legal force through the Building Act 2016 and the Director’s Determinations issued under it, administered by the Director of Building Control within Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (CBOS) (verified 2026-05-09). NCC 2022 applied from 1 May 2023 with the condensation provisions and Part H8 livable housing phased in from 1 October 2023, the latter shaped by the Director’s Determination on Part H8 which steps Tasmania through application thresholds. Tasmania is listed for NCC 2025 adoption on 1 May 2026 but a state-level freeze on energy and accessibility uplifts means several NCC 2025 changes will not bite at adoption (verified 2026-05-09). Schedule 9 (Tasmania) holds the Volume Two variations, mostly around bushfire mapping (using the Tasmanian Bushfire-Prone Area Code), alpine snow loading, and references to AS 3959 amendments.

NT

The Northern Territory gives the NCC legal force through the Building Act 1993 and Building Regulations, administered by NT Building Advisory Services within the Department of Lands, Planning and Environment (verified 2026-05-09). NCC 2022 applied from 1 May 2023, but the NT did not adopt the NCC 2022 Part H6 7-star and Whole of Home uplift: residential buildings remain on the pre-existing 5-star NT energy standard with simplified climate-zone provisions added in October 2023 (verified 2026-05-09). The NT will adopt NCC 2025 from 1 May 2026 for all building, plumbing and drainage work in Building Control Areas (verified 2026-05-09). Schedule 6 (Northern Territory) carries the Volume Two variations, including cyclonic wind region adjustments, the modified H6 energy provisions, and termite and corrosion provisions tuned to tropical conditions.

ACT

The ACT gives the NCC legal force through the Building Act 2004 via the Building (ACT Appendix to the Building Code) Determination, administered by Access Canberra with policy held by the Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate (verified 2026-05-09). NCC 2022 commenced on 1 May 2023, but the livable housing, energy efficiency and condensation provisions were deferred to 15 January 2024 under an extended phase-in (verified 2026-05-09). The ACT adopted NCC 2025 on 1 May 2026 with a 12-month transition period: projects with a development application or works approval lodged before 1 November 2026 may continue under NCC 2022 until that approval expires (verified 2026-05-09). Schedule 4 (Australian Capital Territory) holds the Volume Two variations and is published on the ACT Legislation Register as a notifiable instrument; the Appendix mainly modifies energy reporting, asbestos handling, and bushfire-prone area mapping for the ACT.

References

Australian Building Codes Board, NCC 2022 Volume Two (Building Code of Australia: Class 1 and 10 buildings). https://ncc.abcb.gov.au/editions/ncc-2022/adopted/volume-two (verified 2026-05-09).
Australian Building Codes Board, ABCB Housing Provisions Standard 2022. https://ncc.abcb.gov.au/editions/ncc-2022/adopted/housing-provisions (verified 2026-05-09).
Australian Building Codes Board, How to use NCC 2022: a closer look at Volume Two and the Housing Provisions. https://ncc.abcb.gov.au/news/2022/how-use-ncc-2022-closer-look-volume-two-and-housing-provisions (verified 2026-05-09).
Australian Building Codes Board, What’s new about NCC 2022. https://ncc.abcb.gov.au/whats-new-about-ncc-2022 (verified 2026-05-09).
Australian Building Codes Board, Overview of changes: energy efficiency and condensation. https://ncc.abcb.gov.au/news/2022/overview-changes-energy-efficiency-and-condensation (verified 2026-05-09).
Australian Building Codes Board, New livable housing design requirements. https://ncc.abcb.gov.au/ncc-2022-overview-key-changes-articles (verified 2026-05-09).

NCC 2022 Volume Two: what’s in it for residential builders, the detailed compliance requirements per Part
NCC structure: BCA, PCA, volumes and building classes, how the whole NCC is organised
ABCB Housing Provisions Standard, the DTS document read alongside Volume Two
Deemed-to-Satisfy (DTS), the prescriptive compliance pathway
Performance Solution, the alternative compliance pathway
NCC version transitions, which edition applies to your project by state
AS 1684 timber framing, the main structural standard referenced from Part H1
AS 2870 residential slabs and footings, the footing standard referenced from Part H1