The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) was published NCC 2025 on 1 May 2026. Since then, 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 H7D2 – 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.
The Victorian government announced 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.
The NSW Government 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.
You can read more here: https://www.nsw.gov.au/ministerial-releases/nsw-to-adopt-new-national-construction-code-may-2027
Following on from its 2025 announcement that it would defer implementation of changes to the NCC, the Building Amendment Bill 2026 recently passed House of Assembly, and now moves to consideration by the Legislative Council, Tasmania’s upper house.
As a result of this timing, the Bill will not be finalised before the scheduled commencement date of NCC 2025. This means that NCC 2025 will take effect in Tasmania from 1 May 2026.
The transitional provisions which exist in Tasmania’s Building Act 2016 will come into play over the interim period between NCC 2025 taking effect, and the Building Amendment Bill’s eventual implementation.
Under section 11(5), new NCC provisions do not apply where:
a certificate of likely compliance was issued before 1 May 2026; or
substantial design progress was made before adoption of the new NCC, as certified by a building surveyor or permit authority; or
substantial design progress occurred before any relevant referenced standard was amended.
What this means for members is that NCC 2025 will primarily affect new projects that have not reached substantial design progress before 1 May 2026, subject to certification.
Read the Tasmanian Government’s announcement here: https://www.premier.tas.gov.au/latest-news/2026/april/building-amendment-bill-2026-passes-house-of-assembly
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.
Read more from the ACT government here: https://www.planning.act.gov.au/planning-projects/building-regulatory-system/national-construction.
The Queensland Government will delay the commencement of the NCC 2025 in Queensland until 1 May 2027, with NCC 2022 remaining in force until then.
The Queensland Government made the decision in response to stakeholder feedback and hopes the delay will provide industry adequate time to prepare and adapt to the changes.
You can read more about it here: https://www.housing.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0027/89712/building-and-plumbing-newsflash-637.pdf
The Northern Territory Government has confirmed that the NCC 2025 will commence from 1 May 2026.
Key NCC 2025 changes relevant to the swimming pool industry in the Northern Territory include:
Condensation management changes for hot, arid climates (Climate Zone 3 – Hot dry summer, warm winter).
Wind Region B2 now classified as cyclonic; and
External waterproofing, including apartment balconies;
Increased scrutiny of Performance Solutions for structural and fire safety.
For NCC, the Northern Territory has made several changes to its variations. These include a key change relevant for projects captured in Volume One:
A new provision in Volume One prohibiting the discharge of swimming pool water into a sanitary drainage system; and
The Northern Territory variations for residential and commercial energy efficiency remain unchanged under NCC 2025.
Transitional arrangements – Section 51 (Building Act 1993)
NCC 2025 will not apply where a building permit is issued before 1 May 2026 or where a building certifier determines substantial design progress was made before commencement. Please engage with certifiers
Members should engage early with certifiers to confirm eligibility for transitional provisions.
For more info you can read the NT Government's Fact Sheet here: https://www.spasa.com.au/assets/docs/updated-ncc-2025-northern-territory-fact-sheet.pdf
At this time, formal advice has not been released by the South Australian or Western Australian governments. SPASA believes that these states will provide a transition period for adoption of the NCC.