Building Ministers across the country have finalised National Construction Code 2025, including the use of AI, but Tasmania has rejected the changes, citing more red tape.
Australia’s most southern state has committed to a freeze on the 2025 proposed changes by “stopping federal government red tape and costly changes” and calling for a five-year amendment cycle for any future revisions of the NCC.
The Tasmania Government says it consulted closely with industry, including the HIA, Master Builders Tasmania, and the Property Council before making its decision.
Building ministers from the States, Territories and the Federal Government met last week and agreed there was “potential to improve and modernise” the National Construction Code, including the use of artificial intelligence (AI). The agreed scope of work aims to reduce the regulatory burden on the building and construction industry and to remove barriers to the uptake of modern methods of construction.
The ministerial group said it wants to “streamline and use AI to improve usability of the NCC” to assist small businesses, tradies and households. It will also look at improving how code provisions are developed by the Australian Building Code Board (ABCB), along with the appropriate sequence for future NCC updates.
Included in the finalisation of NCC 2025, the politicians agreed on carpark fire safety provisions and water management to prevent water ingress in commercial and apartment buildings, commercial energy efficiency reforms, and condensation mitigation.
Back in August, the Building Ministers agreed to pause further residential changes (except for essential quality and safety measures) until mid-2029, as a constructive step in improving productivity in residential construction. They believe this will provide certainty for industry and enable workforce development and innovation.
NCC 2025 will be published by 1 February 2026. The Building Ministers’ October Communique stated that Territories and the States may consider adopting it from 1 May 2026, however, this would be up to each jurisdiction to implement, so it remains to be seen if any other state or territory will follow Tasmania’s move.
About the author
Desi Corbett
2025 bio for news on CIA website
Desi is the Editor of Concrete in Australia, at the helm since December 2013, and our weekly news writer since 2016. Focused on concrete and construction for more than 11 years, her expertise in this field forms part of a journalism career spanning three decades. To get in touch please email desi@corbettcomms.com