Following last week’s economic reform roundtable in Canberra, the federal government has announced it will be pausing changes to the National Construction Code until mid-2029.

The code is the national rulebook for how we design and build. It sets minimum standards for safety, health, amenity, accessibility and sustainability. It’s updated on a cycle (typically every three years) and states and territories adopt it.

The aim of the pause is to give builders a stable rulebook, so more homes can be approved and built faster. Importantly, essential safety and quality updates can still go ahead during the pause.

Here’s what the changes mean – and what the government will have to get right to make the most of the pause.

The latest version of the National Construction Code is from 2022. The Australian Building Codes Board, which develops the code, had already flagged the 2025 edition would not follow the usual timetable of being previewed in February and commencing in May.

The 2025 version is being finalised. When this is complete, the pause means no new residential code changes will be added before 2029, other than urgent safety or quality updates.

The federal government has confirmed existing strong standards, such as 7-star energy efficiency, will be maintained.

The board is also currently consulting on a

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