The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) will publish NCC 2025 on 1 May 2026. Once published, each state and territory is responsible for announcing when they will adopt the code under their state building laws.
The preview of NCC 2025 was released in February and can still be accessed.
What changes will NCC 2025 make for pools and spas?
There are two key changes in NCC 2025 for swimming pools and spas:
The adoption of the 2024 version of AS 1926.1 – Safety barriers for swimming pools; and
The introduction of Clause H2D2(2) – A new sub-clause related to swimming pool drainage stating that Performance Requirement H2P4 is satisfied for swimming pool drainage if the swimming pool’s pumped discharge is discharged to the sanitary drainage system in accordance with AS/NZS 3500.2.
SPASA is extremely disappointed that a late change was made to the adoption of AS 1926.1 after the public comment period had closed. NCC 2025 will include a specific variation to G1D2(1) – Swimming Pools, that overrides Clause 2.3.1 – Features and objects near a barrier. Instead of accepting the new wording developed by the Standards Australia Committee that Clause 2.3.1, ‘… shall not apply to boundary barriers’ the variation specifically includes boundary barriers in the 500mm limitation. This variation previously only applied in NSW.
SPASA has reached out to each state and territory to determine the timing for adoption of NCC 2025 and seeking a change to override this variation. Our focus is those states where the NCC will be adopted during 2026.
Each state and territory is currently making announcements in relation to the adoption date for NCC 2025. This section will be updated with each state and territory’s announcements and guidance. SPASA will provide updates through its weekly newsletter as more states and territories make their adoption announcements.
Victoria
The Victorian government announced this week that it would be adopting the NCC 2025 commencing on 1 May 2026. Under the Victorian Building Act and Regulations, section 10 applies giving an applicant scope to continue using the previous edition of the NCC where they can show their building certifier that they have substantially commenced the design work for the project. Members should engage their building certifier for any projects in design stage and yet to be submitted for approval to gauge which edition of the NCC will apply.
It is also important to determine whether the pool barrier is part of the building permit or managed separately as this will impact which edition of AS1926.1 that applies to the project.
New South Wales
The NSW Government last week confirmed that it will delay the adoption of the NCC 2025 until 1 May 2027. This 12-month transition period will provide the industry more time to adjust to the changes.
Tasmania
According to an announcement in 2024, Tasmania is not adopting NCC 2025, deferring any changes to the NCC in an effort to reduce red tape.
Australian Capital Territory
The ACT has adopted a 6-month transition period for the adoption of NCC 2025.
Projects with building approval granted after 1 May 2026 and before 1 November 2026 can choose to comply with either:
NCC 2022 and the ACT 2022 Appendix, or
NCC 2025 and the ACT 2025 Appendix.
Projects with Building Approval granted after 1 November 2026 must comply with NCC 2025 and the ACT 2025 Appendix.
Other states
At this time, formal advice has not been released by the Queensland, South Australian, Northern Territory or Western Australian governments. SPASA believes that these states will provide a transition period for adoption of the NCC.