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Building Code Requirements in the Australian Capital Territory

Which edition of the National Construction Code applies in the Australian Capital Territory, its adoption timeline, and the state-specific variations that affect what you build.

The ACT is halfway through the switch. Right now you can build houses, sheds and decks (Class 1 and Class 10) to either NCC 2022 or NCC 2025. Both come with the extra ACT rules on top. And from 1 May 2027, NCC 2025 is a must. Until then, the smart move is to ask your certifier which edition a job is being checked against before you set out. The extra ACT rules add local changes on top of whichever edition you’re using.

Whichever edition you’re on, the trade numbers start the same. Our NCC-for-chippies stairs pillar walks through the riser, going and rail limits, and the concrete calculations guide covers ordering for slabs, footings and pads.

Adoption status

Transition
Current code in force
NCC 2022 or 2025
Next edition
NCC 2025 (mandatory 1 May 2027)
Adoption / transition
Mid-transition: build to NCC 2022 (+ACT Appendix) or NCC 2025 (+ACT Appendix). NCC 2025 becomes mandatory 1 May 2027.
Official source →

Last verified 2026-07-27

No state-specific variations recorded yet for this jurisdiction.

Content adapted from the National Construction Code 2022, provided by the Australian Building Codes Board under the CC BY 4.0 licence.