NCC 2022 Plumbing

The National Construction Code (NCC) is available to access and use for free on the ABCB website. You can access all volumes of the NCC including NCC Volume Three, the Plumbing Code of Australia (PCA), in both the NCC online version and as downloadable PDFs.

The NCC is provided under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) licence. This means you are free to share and adapt the content, provided appropriate credit is given to the ABCB as the original author of the NCC.

The Plumbing Code of Australia is Volume Three of the National Construction Code (NCC). It contains technical requirements for the design and construction for plumbing and drainage systems in new and existing buildings. Volume Three applies to these systems in all classes of buildings whenever plumbing work is conducted. Volume Three additionally applies to sites where water services are constructed independent of buildings. 

No, the ABCB does not regulate plumbing. Plumbing and drainage works are regulated by plumbing regulators in each state and territory. The states and territories have plumbing inspectors who inspect and certify plumbing work. 

You can find information about the plumbing regulations in your area by contacting your state or territory plumbing authority. Each state and territory has its own regulations, so it's best to check directly with the relevant department. 

If you are in doubt about what your plumber or builder is proposing, for example, not installing a floor waste in your bathroom, you should contact a plumbing inspector. Plumbing inspectors are located within your local council. You can also reach out to your state or territory plumbing regulator for advice or to report plumbing concerns.

No. It is unlawful to change your kitchen sink mixer tap yourself. All plumbing work on the drinking water supply must be performed by a licensed plumber. This helps to ensure the safety of the drinking water supply along with compliance with the Plumbing Code of Australia and state/territory legislation. 

Minor work, such a replacing a tap washer or shower rose may be permitted but note that permissible minor plumbing work varies in each state or territory. Please check with your state or territory plumbing authority for clarification. 

If you do unauthorised plumbing work, you are breaking the law and risk facing consequences such as: 

• voiding of the appliance warranty
• inability to claim any damages caused on insurance. 

The majority of plumbing work must be conducted by a licensed plumber. This is to help ensure public health and safety along with compliance with the Plumbing Code of Australia and state/territory legislation. Please check with your state or territory plumbing authority to ensure work is compliant. 

If you perform unauthorised plumbing work or engage an unlicenced person to perform the work, you are breaking the law and risk facing legal consequences. This impacts both you and your property and can include:

• voiding of your appliance warranty
• inability to claim any damages caused on insurance
• added costs of repairing any damage
• fines which can be substantial
• difficulty and delays in selling your property with unlicensed plumbing work. 

Work conducted on the drinking water supply or sewer systems must be conducted by a licenced plumber or drainer to help ensure the health and safety of the community. Most plumbing work needs to be certified and inspected by state and territory plumbing regulators. 

Yes. While the Plumbing Code of Australia (PCA) is a nationally consistent code, there are some situations where a state or territory includes variations, additions or deletions to the PCA. 

Each jurisdiction has the authority to modify the PCA to suit local conditions. This may involve excluding, substituting, or altering specific provisions. All state and territory variations appear in the PCA and can be found in both the National Construction Code (NCC) online and in the downloadable PDF of the NCC. For more information on state or territory variations, please contact your state or territory plumbing regulators. 

If you are in doubt about what your plumber or builder is proposing, for example, not installing a floor waste in your bathroom, you should contact a plumbing inspector. Plumbing inspectors are located within your local Council. 

The National Construction Code (NCC) which incorporates the Plumbing Code of Australia, is given legal effect through its adoption into the regulatory frameworks of each state and territory.

State and territory legislation mandates the application of the NCC to the design and construction of new buildings, structures, and plumbing systems. In some cases, the NCC may also apply to existing buildings, particularly when a building undergoes renovation, alteration or additions. 

Each jurisdiction has the authority to modify the NCC to suit local conditions. This may involve excluding, substituting or altering specific provisions. For all new and existing plumbing work refer to your state or territory plumbing regulator for more information.

No, Australian Standards are not free. 

The cost of standards varies depending on the document. To obtain Australian Standards, you can purchase them from the following sources: 

• Standards Australia or call 1800 035 822
• Accuris (formerly "SAI Global") or call 131 242
• Intertek Inform (formerly "SAI Global") or call 131 242

Please note: Access to the full text of Australian Standards typically requires a purchase or subscription. Standards Australia offers online access to select standards for personal, non-commercial purposes through its Reader Room at no cost. Access is limited to online viewing only, downloading, printing, or sharing is not permitted. 

Alternatively, some public and university libraries provide access to standards. Check with your local library.