Building Code of Australia
The Building Code of Australia (BCA) is a set of technical provisions covering the design and construction of buildings and other structures across Australia.
The BCA allows for variations in climate, geological and geographical conditions and is regularly updated to keep up with new technology and change. It is important to use the most recent version.
It is available for purchase from the Australian Building Codes Board.
It is published in two volumes:
- Volume One – for Class 2 to 9 buildings
- Volume Two – primarily for Class 1 and 10 buildings (houses, sheds, carports, etc)
Both volumes are drafted in a performance format to provide greater flexibility for the use of new and innovative building products, systems and designs.
A user may choose to comply with the Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions (described as acceptable construction practice in Volume Two) or may use an Alternative Solution that satisfies the Performance Requirements.
The goals of the BCA are to enable the achievement and maintenance of acceptable standards of structural sufficiency, safety (including safety from fire), health and amenity for the benefit of the community now and in the future.
These goals are applied so that the BCA extends no further than is necessary in the public interest, is cost effective, easily understood, and is not onerous in its application.
The BCA is not a "how-to-build" guide - such information can be found in public libraries, good bookshops and specialist building centres such as Sydney Building Information Centre.
The BCA is produced and governed by the Australian Building Codes Board on the behalf of the Federal and State Government.
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