'Get it Right with Undercover Architect' Podcast
Season 14: National Construction Code (NCC)
The National Construction Code (NCC) sets the minimum standard for every home built or renovated in Australia. But minimum isn't what you're aiming for.
Season 14 breaks down what the NCC is, what the latest updates mean for your project, and how to use that knowledge to make sure your home goes beyond the baseline and performs the way you actually want it to.
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[#285] Introduction to the National Construction Code 2022
Season 14 | Episode 01
Australia's building code sets the minimum standard for every home built or renovated in the country. But most homeowners have no idea it exists, let alone what it means for their project. In this episode, Amelia kicks off the NCC series with a plain-language introduction to what the National Construction Code is, how it works, and why the 2022 update is one of the most significant changes the industry has seen in years. If you're planning to build or renovate, this is what your team should already know, and what you need to understand to hold them to it.
[#286] What’s Changed in the National Construction Code?
Season 14 | Episode 02
The NCC 2022 is one of the biggest updates to Australia's building code in over a decade, but what does it actually change? In this episode, Amelia walks through the specific updates in plain language, covering energy efficiency and the move to a 7 star rating, condensation management, livable housing design requirements, wet areas, structural safety, and more. You don't need to become an expert in the code itself. But understanding what has changed, and the terminology behind it, means you'll know what to look for in your team and what questions to ask when it matters.
[#287] Your home’s health: With Zara D’Cotta, The Healthy Home
Season 14 | Episode 03
Mould has been found in approximately 40% of new builds across all climate zones in Australia, and most homeowners have no idea it's happening until it's too late. In this episode, Amelia speaks with Building Biologist Zara D'Cotta from The Healthy Home about the link between how your home is designed and built and the health of everyone living in it. Zara shares what building biology actually is, the most common mistakes she sees in new builds and renovations, and why the NCC 2022 updates are a significant moment for anyone who has ever been made sick by their home.
[#288] Building a healthy home: With Zara D’Cotta, The Healthy Home
Season 14 | Episode 04
Your building materials, your flooring, your wall system, even your solar panel placement can all affect the health of the people living in your home. In Part 2 of her conversation with Building Biologist Zara D'Cotta, Amelia digs into the practical side of building healthier homes: what to look for when choosing your design and construction team, what the NCC 2022 still doesn't address, the construction stage checks that can prevent mould becoming a long-term problem, and the quick wins that can make a genuine difference to your home's health from day one.
[#289] Understanding the National Construction Code, with Laura Terrnova, Deemed to Perform Consulting
Season 14 | Episode 05
Getting your building approval is one of the most misunderstood parts of a new build or renovation, and the NCC 2022 updates have added another layer of complexity. In Part 1 of this conversation, Amelia speaks with Building Surveyor Laura Terrnova from Deemed to Perform Consulting, who breaks down the difference between a statutory and a consulting building surveyor, why getting the right person involved early can save you significant time and cost, and how to actually read and navigate the new structure of the National Construction Code.
[#290] What is a Performance Solution, with Laura Terrnova, Deemed to Perform Consulting
Season 14 | Episode 06
Most custom new builds and renovations will require at least one Performance Solution as part of the approvals process, but very few homeowners know what that actually means until it lands on their desk mid-project. In Part 2 of this conversation, Building Surveyor Laura Terrnova breaks down exactly what a Performance Solution is, what triggers the need for one, the two-stage process for getting it done, and how to put together a project team that can navigate it without blowing out your timeline or budget.
[#291] Building Science 101 with Jesse Clarke, Pro Clima
Season 14 | Episode 07
Moisture and condensation in Australian homes is not just a cold-climate problem, and understanding the building science behind it matters before you build or renovate. In Part 1 of this conversation, Jesse Clarke from Pro Clima breaks down how moisture moves through a building envelope, why increasing insulation and airtightness can create unintended consequences if not managed correctly, and what the difference is between a weather resistive barrier, a vapour permeable membrane, and the foil sarking most Australian builders are used to.
[#292] Building Membranes + Condensation Management, with Jesse Clarke, Pro Clima
Season 14 | Episode 08
The NCC 2022 condensation management updates are a step in the right direction, but Jesse Clarke from Pro Clima explains why they still don't go far enough and what that means for your project. In Part 2, Jesse breaks down what the Deemed to Satisfy pathway is missing, why you can't rely on your external cladding to weatherproof your walls, how roof design and even roof colour affect moisture risk, and what a practical off-the-shelf building system actually looks like for the majority of Australian climates.
[#293] 7 Star Homes with Jeremy Spencer, Positive Footprints
Season 14 | Episode 09
The NCC 2022 has lifted the minimum thermal performance requirement to 7 stars and introduced a Whole of Home energy rating for the first time, but most homeowners have no idea what that means for their project. In Part 1 of this conversation, builder and thermal performance assessor Jeremy Spencer from Positive Footprints explains how the star rating system works, what the Whole of Home rating measures and why it matters, what information your designer needs on the plans, and why the benchmark your home has to beat is set higher than most people expect.
[#294] The ‘Whole of Home’ Rating Scheme with Jeremy Spencer, Positive Footprints
Season 14 | Episode 10
Getting to 7 stars is more achievable than most people think, but only if your design team is working together in the right way and at the right time. In Part 2 of this conversation, Jeremy Spencer from Positive Footprints walks through the practical steps to reduce your home's energy use across heating and cooling, hot water, lighting and appliances, why bringing your energy assessor in at design concept stage is one of the most valuable things you can do, and what builders need to have in place to protect themselves as the new requirements come into effect.
[#295] Does Size Matter in Achieving 7 Stars? With Jeremy Spencer, Positive Footprints
Season 14 | Episode 11
Does the size of your home affect your ability to achieve 7 stars, and what do the new NCC 2022 requirements for thermal bridging, underslab insulation and roof ventilation actually mean on the ground for your project? In Part 3 of this conversation, Jeremy Spencer from Positive Footprints wraps up the practical detail homeowners and builders need to know, explains what questions to ask your team, and shares what the Sustainable Builders Alliance is building to make net zero homes more achievable and accessible across the industry.
[#296] Air Tightness and Blower Door Tests with Jessica Allen, Climasure
Season 14 | Episode 12
Most Australian homeowners have never heard of a blower door test, but it could be one of the most important things you commission during your build. In Part 1 of this conversation, building designer and Certified Passivhaus Designer Jessica Allen from Climasure explains what air tightness actually means, why it matters for your health and your energy bills regardless of your climate, how to achieve it in a standard construction, and why knowing how airtight your home is before handover is critical to protecting yourself and your builder.
[#297] What’s a WUFI Analysis? With Jessica Allen, Climasure
Season 14 | Episode 13
Knowing your home has been built to its design specifications is one of the biggest gaps in the Australian construction process, and most homeowners only find out something went wrong after the builder has left site and the warranty clock has started. In Part 2 of this conversation, Jessica Allen from Climasure walks through the as-built verification tools you can build into your construction process, explains what a WUFI analysis is and when to get one done, and shares the two questions every homeowner should ask a builder before signing a contract.
[#298] Sustainable Building Beyond the Code with Brian Guinan, ISMART Building Group
Season 14 | Episode 14
The NCC 2022 is moving in the right direction, but for builders already delivering high performance homes, the minimum standard still has a long way to go. In Part 1 of this conversation, Brian Guinan from I-Smart Building Group, Certified Passive House Consultant and pioneer of Passive House in Western Australia, shares how he builds high performance homes efficiently and cost effectively, why moisture management is the critical gap the code is still missing, and what the passive solar versus Passive House debate actually means for homeowners.
[#299] Fast Tracking Passive House Construction, with Brian Guinan from ISMART Building Group
Season 14 | Episode 15
Building high performance homes in a market dominated by volume builders is not easy, but Brian Guinan from I-Smart Building Group has spent years working out how to do it efficiently. In Part 2 of this conversation, Brian walks through how he fast-tracks Passive House construction using prefabricated wall panels and standard details, what homeowners need to know about the NCC 2022 changes, and why writing independent inspections into your contract is one of the most practical things you can do to protect yourself on site.
[#303] Accessibility in your Home Design, with Jenna Cohen, Honeycomb Access and Design
Season 14 | Episode 16
The NCC 2022 Livable Housing Design updates have caused a lot of concern among homeowners, but most of the changes are less dramatic than they appear on first read. In Part 1 of this conversation, access consultant and architect Jenna Cohen from Honeycomb Access and Design unpacks what livable and accessible actually mean, why they are not the same thing, what the specific requirements are for pathways, doors, corridors and bathrooms, and why designing for these early makes the whole process far simpler than trying to retrofit compliance later.
[#304] Accessibility in your Home Design, with Jenna Cohen, Honeycomb Access and Design
Season 14 | Episode 17
Performance Solutions are not just a last resort for projects in trouble. Used well and early, they are a legitimate and practical approval pathway. In Part 2 of this conversation, Jenna Cohen from Honeycomb Access and Design explains when and why a Performance Solution makes sense for the Livable Housing Design requirements, shares the no-brainer inclusions every homeowner should consider to make their home more adaptable long-term, and explains why accessible design and beautiful design are far more compatible than most people assume.
With over 30 years industry experience, Amelia Lee founded Undercover Architect in 2014 as an award-winning online resource to help and teach you how to get it right when designing, building or renovating your home. You are the key to unlocking what’s possible for your home. Undercover Architect is your secret ally