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| What this means for Access Consultants The National Construction Code (NCC) 2025 was released today, 1 May 2026. However, its adoption is not nationally uniform, with each state and territory implementing the Code on its own timeline. This creates a transitional period of significant complexity for the building and access consulting industries. The current status of adoption is as follows: NCC 2025 Adoption by State and Territory- Current Status On-Time Adoption (2026) Victoria – Commencement: 1 May 2026 – Transitional provisions are expected for projects already in design Australian Capital Territory (ACT) – Adoption available: 1 May 2026 – Transition period: May – November 2026 (NCC 2022 or NCC 2025 may be used) – Mandatory adoption: 1 November 2026 Northern Territory – Commencement: 1 May 2026 Delayed Adoption (2027) New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia – Commencement: 1 May 2027 No Confirmed Adoption Timeline Western Australia – No formal adoption dates announced Not Adopting (Current Policy Position) Tasmania – Position: Not adopting NCC 2025 at this time What This Means for Access Consultants The staggered adoption of NCC 2025 has resulted in a fragmented regulatory environment across Australia. This is not simply an administrative issue as it directly impacts how access advice is provided, how audits are undertaken, and how professional risk is managed. In Practice – We are now operating in a multi-code environment, where: – NCC 2022 and NCC 2025 will operate concurrently across jurisdictions throughout 2026–2027 – Transition provisions will vary between jurisdictions – State and territory variations will continue to influence interpretation and application – Multi-jurisdictional projects may be subject to different NCC editions simultaneously. This level of complexity requires careful verification at every stage of a project. Key Implications for Access Consultants 1. Confirm the Applicable Code at Approval Stage It is no longer sufficient to rely on the Code in place at the time of design. The applicable NCC is determined at the time of building approval, and this must be clearly documented in all advice, reports and certifications. 2. Increased Risk of Incorrect Advice Providing advice based on the wrong NCC edition can lead to: – Non-compliant design outcomes – Costly redesign or rectification works – Increased exposure to professional liability A disciplined approach to jurisdictional verification is now essential. 3. Greater Need for Clear, Defensible Documentation All access advice should: – Clearly state the applicable NCC edition – Reference relevant transition provisions – Identify state or territory variations This is critical for audit defensibility and risk management. 4. Managing Multi-Jurisdictional Projects Consultants working nationally must now: – Track multiple regulatory timelines simultaneously – Adjust advice depending on project location – Clearly communicate differing compliance pathways to clients. 5. Continued Role of Premises Standards and Australian Standards It is important to reinforce that: – The Disability (Access to Premises — Buildings) Standards 2010 continue to operate in conjunction with the NCC – Referenced standards such as AS 1428.1:2021 remain central to technical compliance. The NCC does not operate in isolation. Compliance must be considered within the broader legislative framework. Summary For Access Consultants, NCC 2025 is not just a code update, it represents a shift toward a more complex, jurisdiction-dependent compliance environment. Success in this environment will rely on: – Rigorous verification processes – Clear, defensible documentation – Strong understanding of the interaction between legislation, NCC and standards – Effective communication with clients and project teams – Clear identification of the appropriate benchmarks for compliance, including both NCC and Premises Standards requirements. Further Support Access Institute is available to support organisations in navigating these changes, including: – Training on the legislative framework and updates – Understanding the interaction between Commonwealth legislation, the NCC and Australian Standards – Practical application for access advice, audits and design. For further information – [email protected] Visit our website to view current courses and training opportunities |