Builders Blog
Modern Home Standards Transition Period
Modern Home Standards Transition Period
The Queensland government are set to introduce new modern home standards. These changes include new accessibility rules and changes to energy efficiency ratings for new homes. And can save Queenslanders big time on electricity bills and retrofitting costs over the lifetime of their home.
So what do they mean for new homes?
New Accessibility Standard (1 October 2023)
The new accessibility standards have come into effect for all new homes as of October 2023 this year. These new standards require all new homes and renovations (only when it is practical to do so as part of a renovation) to meet the following criteria:
- Wider internal doors and corridors
- Minimum 1 step-free entry
- Minimum 1 step-free access into a bathroom and shower
- An accessible toilet
- Reinforced walls in the bathroom and toilet
Homes are not required to be upgraded to meet these criteria when maintenance or repair is conducted.
New Residential Energy Efficiency Standards (1 May 2024)
The new energy efficiency standards are set to come into effect next May as part of Queensland's adoption of the National Construction Code (NCC 2022) under the Queensland Development Code these changes require all new homes as of 1 May 2024 to meet the following criteria:
- A new 7 out of 10 star minimum rating for the external shell of your home and,
- A new whole home energy budget.
The Queensland government will require all homes to meet the criteria laid out by NatHERS in collaboration with CRISCO for a house with 7 or more stars out of 10 as well as having a whole home energy budget certified by NatHers for your home. These changes are set to greatly lower Queenslands emissions and save homeowners and renters on electricity bills.
Home Building Experts
Symcorp Design and Build have an expert team of home designers and builders that have a deep understanding of all Queensland and New South Wales building codes to help you through every step of the home building process. Contact our team today to discuss your dream home.
Further Information
Further information can be found on the following pages:
Further information on how you can design a sustainable home that will decrease your environmental footprint and your electricity bills is here:
Resources used for this article are as follows: