The staged transition to NCC 2022 is now complete in practice across Australia, with jurisdictional cut-offs reached over recent months (Victoria concluded on 1 May 2024). For new applications lodged after the relevant cut-off, the NCC 2022 provisions now apply in full.

If you are after a quick refresher on the key changes, see our earlier note: A short guide to the latest changes in the NCC 2022. We build on that summary here with a focus on energy efficiency, condensation management, and a brief note on liveable housing.

Energy efficiency: higher stringency and whole-of-home

NCC 2022 lifts the bar on thermal performance and introduces broader efficiency checks.

• Thermal performance
  Projects should be designed to a higher minimum thermal performance. For class 1 houses and class 2 apartments this typically requires more careful window specification, thermal breaks to metal frames where applicable, and attention to roof, ceiling and slab edge insulation.
• Whole-of-home considerations
  Appliances and services now need to be planned as a system. Early selections for heating, cooling, hot water and on-site renewables can make the difference between easy compliance and late-stage redesign.
• Documentation
  Ensure the energy model aligns with the final window schedule, insulation types and construction details. Record the assumptions clearly so contractors price like-for-like.

Common pitfalls

Late window changes, under-specifying slab edge insulation, missing thermal breaks, or treating appliance selections as a post-contract decision.

Condensation management: design it in, not out

NCC 2022 strengthens the controls around moisture and airflow to reduce interstitial condensation risk.

• Vapour-permeable wraps and sarking
  Select membranes with suitable vapour permeability for the climate zone and wall build-up, and coordinate with cavity ventilation and drainage paths.
• Exhaust to outside
  Bathrooms, laundries and rangehoods must discharge outdoors, not into roof spaces or cavities.
• Roof space ventilation and detailing
  Balance airtightness, insulation continuity and controlled ventilation. Pay attention to junctions around penetrations and recessed fixtures.

Common pitfalls

Wrapping a wall with a low-permeance membrane in the wrong climate, or venting to a roof space that is effectively sealed. Treat condensation as a design discipline, not just a specification line.

Liveable housing: plan the clearances early

NCC 2022 introduces liveable housing features for new dwellings aimed at improving usability over the building’s life.

• What this means in practice
  Plan circulation, step-free entries where required, hobless showers, and reinforcement for future grab rails as part of the base design. Minor dimensional misses at planning stage become costly changes on site.
• Documentation
  A simple schedule showing required clearances, gradients and reinforcement locations will save time at permit and inspection.

Which projects are caught

• New applications lodged after the jurisdictional cut-off must follow NCC 2022. Notably in Victoria, Section 10 of the Building Act may allow retention of the earlier edition for work covered by a lodged permit. This is case by case and subject to RBS review.
• Existing approvals can generally proceed on their original code basis, provided scope changes do not trigger a new application.
• Staged or multi-unit projects should confirm which stages fall under which code to avoid mixing requirements within the same package.

Our quick checklist for a smooth run

• Lock in window, insulation and thermal break details that match the energy model.
• Confirm appliance selections early where whole-of-home checks apply.
• Specify vapour-permeable membranes, exhaust routes and cavity ventilation with the climate zone in mind.
• Issue a liveable housing schedule with drawings, not as an afterthought.
• Keep evidence of suitability at hand for key products and systems.

How we can help

Krneta works with design teams to close any gaps created by the end of the transition period. We review documentation for NCC 2022 alignment, resolve energy and condensation details with the consultants, and provide clear checklists for permit and construction. For a broader overview of the changes, see our earlier journal entry: A short guide to the latest changes in the NCC 2022.