Access compliance often hides in plain sight — until it doesn’t. Too often, it’s considered late in the process, leading to expensive redesigns or non-compliances that delay occupation.
Our Access by Absolute Approvals team works to prevent that from happening.
Accessibility isn’t just about ramps and grab rails. It’s about ensuring buildings are usable by everyone — from circulation spaces and tactile indicators to door hardware and sanitary layouts.
We help design teams interpret AS 1428, AS 1735, and NCC Volume One access provisions from concept stage so that compliance doesn’t conflict with aesthetics or function.
When access is considered from day one, compliance becomes seamless — not an afterthought.
That means fewer variations, faster approvals, and a project that welcomes every user.
When it comes to building compliance, there’s rarely just one way to achieve the right outcome. That’s where performance solutions come in. Instead of forcing a project into rigid Deemed-to-Satisfy (DtS) provisions, a performance solution allows for design flexibility — and often, a better-built result.
At Absolute Approvals, we see performance solutions as practical problem-solving tools. They’re not about cutting corners; they’re about finding smarter, buildable ways to meet the intent of the National Construction Code (NCC).
Each solution is backed by evidence and collaboration — working with mechanical, fire, and architectural teams to ensure outcomes are compliant, durable, and achievable on-site.
Performance solutions can reduce construction costs, prevent redesign delays, and create outcomes that actually work in the real world — not just on paper.
If you’re facing design constraints or NCC barriers, our Performance Solutions team can help you find the right path forward.
Building ministers from across Australia have agreed to a pause on residential changes to the National Construction Code (NCC) until mid-2029, following outcomes from the Federal Government’s 2025 Economic Reform Roundtable. The decision aims to provide greater regulatory certainty and support housing delivery by allowing the construction industry time to consolidate recent reforms.
The next edition of the NCC will be published by 1 February 2026, with states and territories able to adopt it from 1 May 2026. While the code will still be released on schedule, the scope of the 2025 update has been refined to focus primarily on non-residential and essential safety measures.
Residential changes have been deferred, meaning that the provisions introduced in NCC 2022 — including the 7-star energy efficiency and livable housing requirements — will continue to apply for the foreseeable future.
The upcoming NCC 2025 will include targeted updates in the following areas:
These changes are considered essential quality and safety measures that cannot reasonably be delayed until the next full NCC update.
Building ministers have also agreed to review how the NCC is developed, implemented, and accessed. The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) has been tasked with several key improvement initiatives, including:
These actions are intended to make the NCC easier to use, more consistent across jurisdictions, and better aligned with the industry’s capacity to deliver projects efficiently.
Each state and territory will determine its own implementation approach. The ACT Government is yet to confirm whether it will align with the national pause or proceed with earlier adoption of NCC 2025 measures. The decision provides an opportunity for builders, designers, and certifiers to focus on current code compliance while preparing for the limited updates expected in 2026.
Absolute Approvals will continue to monitor the rollout of NCC 2025 and provide guidance to clients as further details become available.
