New building standards to improve home accessibility and energy efficiency

The South Australian Government is introducing building requirements for new homes that will boost energy efficiency and introduce new livability standards.

From October 2024, new home designs will be more accessible, including improved entry and spaces inside homes, such as wider doors and corridors and step-free access, making it easier for people with disability and older South Australians to find suitable housing and for all South Australians to visit family and friends.

Requirements to reinforce a bathroom and toilet wall during construction will also reduce the cost of future modifications, such as installing handrails, enabling residents to continue living in their home as they age.

Higher energy efficiency standards for newly constructed homes will also reduce energy use and lower power bills for homeowners and rental tenants, which is predicted to offset initial construction costs.

The majority of new homes will need to achieve a 7-star energy efficiency rating, up from 6 stars, seeking to lower greenhouse gas emissions and provide year-round comfort in the home.

These new requirements were agreed nationally at the Building Ministers’ Meeting and have now been included in the building rules under the National Construction Code (NCC 2022), which commences in May 2023, with transitional arrangements in place for these provisions to commence in October 2023.

The South Australian Government has agreed to an implementation date of 1 October 2024 for the new energy efficiency and livability requirements, ensuring new residential constructions from this date increase the standards of our state’s housing stock.

The commencement date for South Australia acknowledges current pressures on the construction and building sectors, including market capacity, supply chain disruption and workforce uncertainty, along with the additional pressures of rebuilding following the River Murray floods.

The unique circumstances facing South Australia required the National Construction Code provisions to be tailored to our state by introducing a two-year transitional period and will include a range of exemptions.

The decision to implement the National Construction Code’s new provisions has been formed in conjunction with housing industry, climate, disability and ageing sector stakeholders and follows a period of considerable consultation.

The South Australian Government and the Australian Building Codes Board, who drafted the new energy efficiency and Livable Housing Designs provisions, will continue working with the building and development industry, disability advocates and other stakeholders to enable seamless implementation of the new provisions.