Livable Housing Standards

There are major changes to include livable (accessible) housing provisions for all new homes (houses, units etc. regardless of size) and major renovations in the NCC 2022.

The changes are intended to increase the number of houses suitable for people with a mobility disability.

The provisions include:

• Step-free path from the site boundary or parking area

  • An exemption will be available where there is no suitable location to provide a compliant path

• Landing at the entrance (unless exempt from the step-free path or access is through the attached parking area)

• Where the step-free path is via the parking area, the parking space must be a minimum of 3200 mm wide and 5400 mm long

• Step-free threshold (a small ramped threshold or small sill is allowed)

  • Addressing weatherproofing and termite prevention is going to be a challenge

• Entrance door with an 820 mm clear opening (generally achieved with an 870 mm door leaf)

• Internal doors on the entry level have 820 mm clear openings and level thresholds (again a small ramped threshold is allowed)

• Corridors are 1000 mm minimum wide on the ground (or entry) level

  • Ensure that the distance is measured between the finished walls and not the frame as is industry practice

• Toilet on the ground (or entry) level with a minimum 900 mm by 1200 mm clear distance in front of the pan (free of the vanity and the swing of the door)

• Hobless and step-free shower

  • This shower does not need to be on the ground (or entry) level. If located on another level the requirements for the internal doors and corridors will extend to that level

  • It will be important to ensure that the bathroom falls are carefully managed in light of the additional new requirement of falls to floor waste

  • It will likely require the whole bathroom to be waterproofed as it will be a challenge to achieve an 'enclosed shower'

• Reinforced walls around the accessible shower, toilet and bath (if provided)

  • Reinforced with 12 mm structural ply, 25 mm timber noggings or light gauge steel framing noggings.

Following advocacy by Master Builders, the Queensland Government has provided a small number of amendments to livable housing requirements.

They include:

• Transition to 31 March 2025 has been provided for narrow lots (frontage of 12.5m or less) where the lot was:

  • (a) created prior to 1 October 2023; or

  • (b) created after 1 October 2023 and on or before 31 March 2025 provided:

    • a properly made application for a development permit for reconfiguring of a lot to create the lot is made prior to 1 October 2023; or

    • the lot is identified in a disclosure plan under the Land Sales Act 1984 prior to 1 October 2023.

• Transition to 31 March 2025 for prefabricated small modular dwellings provided the dwelling is 55m2 or less, manufactured off-site and completed prior to 1 October 2023, and installed prior to 31 March 2025.

• Alternative options for an enclosed shower that is also an accessible (step-free, hobless) shower are provided, permitting:

  • a 5 mm waterbar or 5 mm step-down provided the shower screen has a deflector

  • shower with a linear drain at entry if the shower screen door positioned in one of the two required positions.

• An option to provide the compliant accessible toilet on the first level where a habitable room is located if there are no habitable rooms on entry level (e.g. internal garage, laundry or stairs on entry level).

The details can found in the QDC MP 4.5 Livable dwellings and grading to floor wastes.

You can find all o fth ecurrent up to date information about the Livable Housing Standards on https://livablehousingaustralia.org.au/