NCC building classifications

NCC Building classifications The National Construction Code (NCC) sets out the minimum technical requirements for new buildings (and new building work in existing buildings) in Australia. In doing so, it groups buildings by their use. These groups are assigned a classification which is then how buildings are referred to throughout the NCC. This information is crucial for all NCC users. Class 1a Class 1b Class 2 Class 3 Domestic or residential building Boarding house, guest house or hostel Apartment buildings Long term or transient accomodation A Class 1a building is either: a single dwelling such as a A Class 1b building has a floor area less than 300 m2 Typically multi-unit residential buildings where people for a number of unrelated persons detached house, or one of a group of attached and ordinarily has fewer than 12 people living in it. It can live above and below each other. The NCC describes Includes large boarding houses, guest houses, hostels, dwellings such as a townhouse, row house, or similar. also be 4 or more single dwellings located on one the space considered as an apartment as a and backpacker accommodation beyond Class 1b limits. allotment which are used for short-term holiday sole-occupancy unit (SOU). They may also cover dormitory-style housing, workersʼ Class 1 buildings cannot be located above or below any accommodation. quarters, and care-type facilities for children, older other dwelling (or any other class of building) other people, or people with disability (not Class 9). than a private garage. Class 4 Class 5 Class 6 Class 7 A sole dwelling or residence within a Office buildings used for professional Buildings that are a place for the sale Storage type buildings building of a non-residential nature or commercial purposes of retail goods and services This class has 2 sub-classifications: An example of a Class 4 part of a building would be a Examples of Class 5 buildings are offices for lawyers, Typically shops, restaurants and cafés. They are a place - Class 7a buildings are carparks. caretakerʼs residence in a storage facility. A Class 4 accountants, government agencies and architects. for the sale of retail goods or the supply of services - Class 7b buildings are typically warehouses, storage part can only be located in a Class 5 to 9 building. direct to the public. Service stations are Class 6 unless buildings or buildings for the display of goods (or they only do repairs (then they are Class 8). produce) for wholesale. Parking Laundromat Shop Hair Salon Shop Shop Storage P Multiple building classifications Class 8 Class 9 Class 10 A building (or a part of a building) may be designed to Factory buildings Public buildings Non-habitable buildings or structures serve multiple purposes and may have more than one classification. This means that it is permissible for a Buildings in which a process (or handicraft) is carried Class 9 has 3 sub-classifications: This class includes 3 sub-classifications: building to be Class 6/7, or Class 5/6, or whatever is out for trade, sale, or gain. The building can be used for - Class 9a are health-care buildings such as hospitals. - Class 10a are non-habitable buildings including deemed appropriate. production, assembling, altering, repairing, finishing, - Class 9b are assembly buildings in which people may sheds, carports, and private garages. packing, or cleaning of goods or produce. For example, gather for social, theatrical, political, religious or civil - Class 10b are structures such as fences, masts, At the design stage it may not be clear who the final a mechanicʼs workshop, abattoir or laboratory. purposes. antennas, retaining walls, swimming pools, or the like. tenant will be (or how they will be using their tenancy). - Class 9c are residential care buildings that may - Class 10c are private bushfire shelters. So as long as the design meets the minimum contain residents who have various care level needs. requirements of all the classifications it could be used for any of the purposes. Want to know more? You'll find answers to common questions about building classifications on our FAQ page ncc.abcb.gov.au/faq/building-classifications abcb.gov.au © Commonwealth of Australia and the States and Territories of Australia 2026, published by the Australian Building Codes Board. The material in this publication is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution—4.0 International licence, with the exception of third party materials and any trade marks.