The Building Energy Performance Standards project Issues Paper is the first step in a three stage ‘Building Energy Performance Standards’ project led by ASBEC to drive improvements in the National Construction Code (NCC).

The project aims to:

1. Develop an industry-led vision for improving the energy performance requirements for both residential and commercial buildings in the Code, with a goal to provide certainty, foster innovation and deliver the benefits of rapidly improving energy technology and design approaches for Australia. Improvements may include:
   1. Increasing the minimum energy performance standards;
   2. Establishing a trajectory for future increases;
   3. Considering potential improvements to the design of the energy performance requirements that would make the Code simpler and more useful for design and construction professionals, and make compliance easier to monitor.
2. Seek implementation of this vision, including through co-ordination of the industry response to Code upgrade processes undertaken by the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) and other relevant government and industry processes. The ABCB has been consulted on this project and we understand it has space in its work plan for 2016/17 to undertake this work.

The Issues Paper sets out how the NCC currently operates and outlines a range of potential improvements. It is intended to support multi-stakeholder discussions taking place in 2016 to identify and progress potential improvements to the NCC.

Improvements to the NCC may be implemented through the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB), through the Council of Australian Governments’ Building Ministers Forum or through other policy processes.  This project is intended to support and assist these government processes by coordinating industry and expert input.

Read the full ASBEC Building Energy Performance Standards Issues Paper.