Retaining wall
A retaining wall holds back soil or fill on a residential site. Required when batters exceed NCC 2022 limits. Design to AS 4678:2002 when over 800 mm high.
Ask Chalkline about this →A retaining wall is a structure that holds back soil, fill, or rock where a level change on a site cannot be achieved with a batter slope alone. On residential sites, retaining walls are required when the embankment height or soil type exceeds the batter slope limits in NCC 2022 Housing Provisions Part 3.2 Table 3.2.1, or when there is insufficient room on the allotment for a batter.
Retaining walls greater than 800 mm high must be designed to AS 4678:2002 Earth-retaining Structures, with a design life of at least 60 years for permanent residential installations. Structural engineer design is required for any wall with surcharge loading (vehicles, adjacent structures, pool), any wall near a boundary, and any wall in problematic soil conditions.
State-specific approval thresholds: NSW permits walls up to 600 mm as exempt development; QLD and VIC typically up to 1 m; WA up to 500 mm. Above these heights, a Complying Development Certificate (CDC) or Development Application (DA) is required.
Category: Site preparation / earthworks
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Last updated: 2026-05-08. Verified: 2026-05-08. Quarterly review for currency.