Energy efficiency is a core focus of our work program and forms part of the Australian, state and territory governments’ strategies to improve energy productivity and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

NCC 2025 energy efficiency

Work is underway to scope potential changes for commercial building energy efficiency in NCC 2025. Among other things, the work will focus on increasing the role that this sector can play in helping all Australian jurisdictions reach their emissions reduction targets.

NCC 2022 energy efficiency

This project was initiated by the former Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Energy Council’s National Energy Productivity Plan and Trajectory for Low Energy Buildings.

The emphasis of the NCC 2022 energy efficiency provisions was on residential buildings. This included an increase in the level of thermal comfort and a whole-of-house energy use budget.

The provisions also included measures that will reduce the cost of installing on-site renewables and electric vehicle charging at a later date.

Extensive expert and stakeholder consultation have informed the final provisions included in NCC 2022, which will be published on 1 October 2022. The provisions will be adopted on 1 May 2023, with a transition period applying until 1 October 2023 to assist industry in preparing for the changes.

NCC energy efficiency resources

The ABCB has also produced an extensive range of resources to help practitioners understand and implement the energy efficiency requirements of the Code. These are linked in the table below.

These resources also include reports produced for the ABCB by third-party consultants, which have been used to support the writing of the NCC and its supporting material. Note, the reports’ findings are not necessarily reflected in the NCC’s provisions, which draw upon many inputs through consultation and analysis.

EditionPublishedArticles and resources Type
NCC 20222023/12A Review of Thermal Bridging Mitigation Provisions and Thermal Break Provisions NCC 2022Report
NCC 20252023/10NCC 2025 energy efficiency project: rationale and scopeReport
NCC 20222023/08NCC Whole-of-Home Calculator (beta release)Calculator
NCC 20222022/12NCC 2022 Update: Whole-of-Home ComponentReport
NCC 20222022/12Technical Report: DTS Elemental provisions for NCC 2022 Energy Efficiency ChangesReport
NCC 20222022/10NCC 2022 Volume One lighting calculator (beta release)Calculator
NCC 2022 2022/10 NCC 2022 Volume Two lighting calculator (beta release)Calculator
NCC 20222022/10NCC 2022 Volume One glazing calculator (beta release) (Class 2 & 4)Calculator
NCC 20222022/10NCC 2022 Volume Two glazing calculator (beta release)Calculator
NCC 20222022/10Repeating thermal bridges in ceilings and floors: simuation and calculation, Stage 1 Final ReportReport
NCC 20222022/10Repeating thermal bridges in ceilings and floors: modified calculation method, Stage 2 Final ReportReport
NCC 20222019/12NCC 2022 energy efficiency project: Rationale and scopeFactsheet
NCC 20222019/12NCC 2022 energy efficiency project: Development processInfographic
NCC 20222019/12Energy efficiency: NCC 2022 and beyond outcomes reportReport
NCC 20222019/12Energy efficiency: NCC 2022 and beyond scoping studyConsultation
NCC 20222020/04NCC 2022 Residential energy efficiencyFAQs
NCC 20192020/12Façade Calculator videoYouTube Clip
NCC 20192020/04Façade Calculator NCC 2019 Volume OneCalculator
NCC 20192020/04Lighting Calculator NCC 2019 Volume OneCalculator
NCC 20192020/04Fan system Calculator NCC 2019 Volume OneCalculator
NCC 20192020/04Pump system Calculator NCC 2019 Volume OneCalculator
NCC 20192020/04Glazing Calculator NCC 2019 Volume TwoCalculator
NCC 20192020/04Lighting Calculator NCC 2019 Volume TwoCalculator
NCC 20192020/01Fan system Calculator videoYouTube Clip
NCC 20192020/01Pump system Calculator videoYouTube Clip
NCC 20192020/01Verification using a reference buildingYouTube Clip
NCC 20192020/01Building sealing verificationYouTube Clip
NCC 20192020/04Adaptive Thermal Comfort and Predicted Mean VotePerformance Scenario
NCC 20192020/04Verification using NABERS Energy for Offices (JV1)Performance Scenario
NCC 20192020/04Verification using Green Star (JV2)Performance Scenario
NCC 20192020/04Verification using a reference building (JV3)Performance Scenario
NCC 20192020/05Lighting refurbishment of an office buildingCase Study
NCC 20192020/05Small office buildingCase Study
NCC 20192020/05Hotel façadeCase Study
NCC 20192019/07Energy efficiency NCC Volume OneHandbook
NCC 20192019/07Energy efficiency NCC Volume TwoHandbook
NCC 20192018/02NatHERS heating and cooling load limitsABCB Standard
NCC 20192018/02Inclusion of heating and cooling energy load limits in NatHERS assessmentRIS (Final)
NCC 20192018/02Energy Action Modelling and Sensitivity AnalysisReport
NCC 20192018/02Energy efficiency of commercial buildingsRIS (Final)
NCC 20192018/02Energy efficiency of commercial buildings NCC 2016 vs NCC 2019 DTS modelling reportReport
NCC 20222018/02Residential energy efficiency: heating and cooling load limitsReport
NCC 20192020/06NCC Volume Two, Energy Efficiency NCC Essentials
NCC 20192020/06NCC Volume One, Energy EfficiencyNCC Essentials
NCC 20192020/07Energy Efficiency requirements for fans in unitary AC equipmentAdvisory Note
NCC 20192020/07Energy efficiency of fan systemsPerformance Scenario
NCC 20192020/07Single storey house energy efficiencyPerformance Scenario
NCC 20192020/07Eurovent Standards for chillersPerformance Scenario
NCC 20192020/01Section J Transformed: Stepping into energy change for commercial buildingsYouTube Clip