The Modern Homes provisions in the National Construction Code (NCC) 2022 commence in South Australia on 1 October 2024.
The new provisions will ensure that our homes are more comfortable for our changing climate, as well as easier to use and more adaptable to our changing needs, supporting housing choice and ageing in place for everyone.
This page will be updated with resources to help you understand what the requirements mean and how they apply to homes in South Australia.
Information about South Australia’s commitment to National Construction Code Certainty is available on the Building Code page.
What are the modern homes provisions?
The Modern Homes provisions are the NCC 2022 Energy Efficiency and Livable Housing Design provisions, as well as improved condensation management measures, that will apply to Class 1 and Class 2 buildings from 1 October 2024.
The energy efficiency provisions for Class 1 dwellings include:
- increased thermal performance requirements to 7-star equivalent energy ratings (up from 6 stars) to significantly improve comfort for residents
- a new whole-of-home annual energy use budget to guide the selection of more efficient building systems such as heating and cooling equipment, hot water systems, lighting and swimming pool and spa pumps.
The livable housing design provisions for Class 1a dwellings include:
- continuous step-free access path to a level and step-free entrance door
- minimum door and corridor widths
- at least one sanitary compartment (containing a toilet) and at least one shower that facilitate independent access and use
- additional wall framing to accommodate future grab rails in the bathroom and sanitary compartment.
New thermal performance, energy usage and livable housing design requirements will apply to individual apartments within apartment buildings (Class 2). Renewable energy readiness and electric vehicle charging provisions for apartment buildings were adopted on 1 October 2023.
Following extensive consultation, several concessions to the NCC modern homes provisions were approved to address state-specific issues such as small and irregular blocks, accommodation used by workers or tourists, and areas where geographic conditions are considered challenging.
In summary, the transitional arrangements from 1 October 2024 are:
- A general concession for any development application for a house or apartment lodged prior to 1 October 2024 to allow energy efficiency to be considered under the NCC 2019. The new livable housing design requirements will not apply.
- A general concession for any development application for alterations and/or additions to an existing house lodged prior to 1 May 2025 to allow energy efficiency to be considered under the NCC 2019. The new livable housing design requirements will not apply.
- A concession to the 7-star energy efficiency requirements for small and irregular allotments, workers and tourist accommodation, within the Master Planned Neighbourhood Zone of Mount Barker and buildings manufactured off site that are 60 square metres or less or within designated locations. These homes must meet the NCC 2019 (6‑star) thermal performance requirements and the NCC 2022 energy usage and condensation management requirements.
- A concession to the new livable housing design requirements for small and irregular allotments, workers and tourist accommodation, and buildings manufactured off site that are 60 square metres or less. All homes must still provide wall reinforcement to facilitate the future installation of grab rails.
To assist industry transition to the NCC 2022 modern homes provisions, the implementation of the provisions to alterations and additions to existing homes will be delayed until 1 May 2025. The relevant provisions of NCC 2019 will apply during this time.
A new Ministerial Building MBS 013 Application of NCC modern homes provisions to existing Class 1 Buildings will specify energy efficiency and livable housing design provisions for new building work to existing Class 1 dwellings to support compliance with the NCC 2022 Modern Homes provisions where assessment is difficult due to the disparity between existing and new standards of construction.
In response to feedback received during public consultation in July 2024, the draft MBS 013 has been amended to clarify some clauses and condense the document by providing the tables and explanatory information in appendices. Further information on MBS 013 will be available in early 2025.
Details of information sessions to assist in the transition to the new NCC modern homes provisions are listed on the events page.
Regular updates will be provided through the Planning Ahead and Building Standard newsletters. Subscribe to be notified for the latest updates and information.
Please contact the team via PlanSA@sa.gov.au if you have any further questions.
Additional resources
The following guidance materials to support awareness and implementation of the NCC 2022 Modern Homes provisions:
