NCC 2025 doesn't start on the same day everywhere, and some states vary Section J. This guide shows which edition applies where, what NCC 2025 changes, and the state rules that sit on top. Checked 1 November 2026.
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NCC 2025 was published on 1 May 2026, but each state and territory decides when it takes effect. As at 1 November 2026, the ABCB lists these adoption dates for the Building Code of Australia (NCC Volumes One and Two):
Source: ABCB, NCC 2025 state and territory adoption information. The edition that applies to your project also depends on the state's transition rules and on when your building approval is applied for or issued. Your building surveyor or certifier confirms it.
The NCC 2025 J1P1 Performance Requirement adds near zero operational greenhouse gas emissions. The hourly caps for conditioned space become 40 kJ/m².hr and 4 g CO2-e/m².hr for Class 6, 22 kJ/m².hr and 2.2 g CO2-e/m².hr for Class 5, 7b, 8 and 9a (other than ward areas) and Class 9b schools, and 8 kJ/m².hr and 1 g CO2-e/m².hr for other classes. Under NCC 2022 the caps were 80, 43 and 15 kJ/m².hr, with no emissions cap.
The NCC 2025 Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions require an on-site solar PV system. It must cover 100% of the roof area, less the excluded areas listed in J9D5(2)(a), or meet the minimum peak output per m² of conditioned space in Table J9D5a. Buildings that use gas for building services need extra PV capacity (J9D5(3)). The switchboard must also have space for a future battery system (J9D5(1)), unless batteries are installed. J9D5(2) does not apply where the whole effective roof is heavily shaded, or where on-site renewable generation of at least equivalent capacity is provided.
NCC 2025 Table F8D3 sets vapour permeance ranges for the layers outside the primary insulation by climate zone and wall type. In climate zones 6, 7 and 8, a drained and ventilated cavity must be provided. The Part F8 Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions apply to sole-occupancy units of Class 2 buildings and Class 4 parts (F8D2).
For Class 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 buildings, NCC 2025 J1V3 compares the proposed building with a reference building. Its annual greenhouse gas emissions must be not more than 97% of the reference building's (J1V3(1)(a)(i)), its services must emit no more than the reference services (J1V3(1)(a)(ii)), it must meet a thermal comfort or zone-load test (J1V3(1)(b)) and it must comply with Specification 33 (J1V3(1)(c)). A J1V3 result supports a Performance Solution, which your building surveyor or certifier assesses.
Clause references are from NCC 2025 Volume One as published by the ABCB. States can vary any of these provisions, so check the state variations below.
Most states adopt Section J as published. Three have rules that change the work on a typical project:
We confirm the state, building class, NCC edition and any state variation that applies, and note the approval date your certifier is working to.
We compare the Deemed-to-Satisfy and Verification Method pathways for your design and recommend the one with the least cost and risk.
We prepare the Section J, J1V3, condensation or ESD report, citing the edition and clauses that apply in your state.
We answer certifier and building surveyor queries and update the report if the design changes, within the agreed scope.
Timing: Timeframes confirmed at quote; fast-track available for urgent projects.
As at 1 November 2026, NCC 2025 applies in Victoria, the ACT and Western Australia (from 1 May 2026; the ACT and WA have 12-month transitions). New South Wales, Queensland and Tasmania adopt it on 1 May 2027, and South Australia adopts the building volumes on 1 May 2027. The Northern Territory has not adopted it. Source: ABCB adoption information.
It depends on your state's adoption date and transition rules, and on when your building approval is applied for or issued. Your building surveyor or certifier confirms the edition. We check it at the start of every job and cite it in the report.
Yes. For Class 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 buildings, NCC 2025 J1V3 requires annual greenhouse gas emissions not more than 97% of the reference building's, a services emissions test, a thermal comfort or zone-load test and Specification 33. The J1P1 caps also add greenhouse gas limits. NSW inserts its own J1V3, and Tasmania keeps an earlier Section J.
Under the NCC 2025 Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions, J9D5 requires an on-site solar PV system covering the roof (less the excluded areas) or meeting the minimum output in Table J9D5a, with extra capacity where gas is used for building services. There are limitations for heavily shaded roofs and for buildings with equivalent on-site renewable generation. It applies once your state has adopted NCC 2025 and subject to any state variation.
Section J for Class 2 buildings does not change: NCC 2025 keeps Section J of NCC 2022 Amendment 2 for them. Part F8 does change, with the new Table F8D3 for Class 2 sole-occupancy units and Class 4 parts. In NSW, BASIX regulates the thermal performance of the apartments and the BASIX certificate version sets the Section J edition. Tasmania applies Section J of BCA 2019 Amendment 1 to Class 2 buildings and Class 4 parts.
Yes. We're based in Melbourne and prepare Section J, J1V3, condensation and ESD reports for projects Australia-wide. Each report uses the NCC edition and state variations that apply to the project's state.
Timeframes are confirmed at quote, and fast-track is available for urgent projects.
We checked the rules against ABCB and state government sources on 1 November 2026. Adoption dates can change, so we confirm the current position for every project.
We confirm the edition and state variations before we model, and cite the clauses in the report.
Deemed-to-Satisfy, J1V3, condensation and ESD reports from the same team.
Our founder, Kelvin Mureithi: Green Star Accredited Professional, ISAP and Engineers Australia member.
We are based in Melbourne and work with design teams Australia-wide.
Reviewed by Kelvin Mureithi, Founder, Makao · Green Star Accredited Professional, ISAP, Engineers Australia member. Rules checked against ABCB and state government sources on 1 November 2026.
