Regulations
Carport regulations
There are a myriad of local and national regulations that can affect building a carport.
Bath regulations
There are a few different regulations relating to the way that baths need to be installed. These include rules about the quality and manufacture of the bathtub itself - it has to be built to Australian Standards.
Pergola regulations
A pergola's not necessarily a very technical thing to construct, but there are some rules about what you can and can't do, and it's a very good idea to learn about them before you start making plans.
Electrical regulations
Find out more about electrical regulations in Australia, when you're likely to need an electrician, and what you'll need to know about the regulations when you're building or renovating.
Lighting regulations
Lighting, just like all electrical work, is heavily regulated in Australia because of the dangers it poses - and to help encourage energy efficiency. Find out what sorts of regulations apply to lighting.
Do your windows comply?
All Australian windows and doors must meet minimum requirements under Australian building regulations. To ensure they can withstand Australian conditions...
Safety glass requirements
Windows bring natural light and fresh air into our homes as well as offering views that connect the inside to the great outdoors. However, window related accidents and security...
Window regulations & labels
Windows are one of the many aspects of a house that are rarely replaced. That’s why it’s important when building a new home or renovating that you choose windows that will stand the test of time and meet relevant building regulations.
Bushfire safety and windows
Devastating bushfires are unfortunately an all too common occurrence across Australia.
In response to recent bushfire attacks a revised building standard has been...
Window & glass regulations
All window manufacturers in Australia are required under the Building Code of Australia to produce windows and doors that meet certain requirements. These requirements are...
Hot water system regulations
Find out what regulations apply to different types of hot water systems, and how those regulations affect the way your system is selected, installed and maintained.
T&P valves and discharge pipes
All tank storage hot water systems must be fitted with T&P (temperature and pressure) valves and discharge pipes. Find out how these parts work and what role they play.
Position and output temperature restrictions
Find out how regulations in Australia dictate where and how you position your hot water system, and at what temperature water must be stored and released from your taps.
Hot water rebates
If you're planning on installing a hot water system that uses solar energy, chances are you're eligible for a big government rebate. Find out more about rebates and how to claim them.
Phase out of incandescent light globes
The difference between an efficient light globe and an inefficient one is amazing. To prevent unnecessary waste, inefficient incandescent GLS globes are being phased out in Australia.
BCA lighting restrictions
Regulations exist in Australia to determine how much electricity you're allowed to use for lighting in your home, based on floor areas. Find out what's allowed and how to make the most of it.
MEPS and LCA labels
Find out what those labels and symbols on light globes actually mean, and how to interpret them to your advantage.
Daylighting requirements
The number of windows in your home and where you put them is restricted by rules designed to ensure a minimum amount of daylight in each part of a home. Find out how this is likely to affect your design.
Cooling regulations
We’ve all seen the energy efficiency labels on whitegoods, but what do they mean when it comes to air conditioners?
MEPS labels and ratings for air conditioners
Air conditioners come with labels these days that indicate how efficiently they're able to cool (and to heat, if they're reverse-cycle models). Find out more about these labels and what to look for.
Noise regulations for air conditioners
An important consideration if you're thinking about installing an air conditioner is how much noise it makes, and how that noise will affect your neighbours.
Heating regulations
Heating and its associated industries are heavily regulated, mostly because of the obvious fire hazards they pose - but also to control air pollution, and similar issues.
Ducts and ventilation
Poor ventilation and ducting not only cause heaters to be inefficient, but are also hazardous. Find out what regulations apply to ducting and ventilation in Australia.
Wood heater and fireplace regulations
Wood heater and fireplace safety is very important. Both of these methods of heating use open flames, and if not managed correctly can create big problems very quickly.
MEPS and energy star ratings for heaters
Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) help people to compare the efficiency of different heaters using the same types of fuel. Find out what these labels mean.
Ventilation regulations
While not as regulated as air conditioning or heating, there are specific Australian Standards that you (and your builder) need to be aware of to ensure that your ventilation complies with building regulations.
BCA ventilation requirements
Ventilation requirements exist in Australia to help prevent the likelihood of 'sick building syndrome'. These need to be carefully addressed when building a home with a tight building envelope.
Ventilation in garages, sheds and workshops
Garages, sheds and workshops, particularly those where dust, particles or sprays float around, may require extra ventilation to ensure your safety.
WELS labels and ratings
Water-producing bathroom fittings in Australia need to comply with basic water-efficiency standards. As a part of the WELS scheme, they are rated and given a label that shows how efficient they are.
WaterMark labels
The WaterMark certification label signifies that a plumbing product complies with certain quality and performance standards.
Distance between water and power points
Regulations in Australia restrict where you're able to position power points in relation to sinks and taps. Find out what the rules say, and how far your power points will need to be from your kitchen sink.
Asbestos and asbestos sheeting
Asbestos, which was used for many years as an insulation material, can pose a serious risk to anyone renovating a home. Find out more about what to do if you suspect you have asbestos insulation in your home.
Cyclone code requirements for walls
Depending on where you live, there may be special requirements for fire or cyclone codes. See how these affect you.
How to check an air conditioner installer's licence
It's important that you only have licensed technicians do work on your air conditioners. Find out about the different types of air conditioning licenses.
Bushfire and fire regulations for walls
Fires are one of the most common household disasters to happen, yet have equally devastating effects. Learn about fireproofing regulations for your walls to minimise the risk.
Building on reactive soil sites
The condition of the soil where you plan to build is a very important factor that will affect the stability and structural integrity of your home.
Carpet ratings, classification and labels
When you're buying a carpet, ACCS star rating labels will help you to determine which carpets are best suited for your purposes.
Waterproofing for floors
An important part of building a bathroom is to ensure that floors and walls are properly waterproofed, to prevent rot and mould.
Bushfire regulations for flooring
Certain regulations apply to the way floors should be constructed in bushfire prone areas of Australia. Find out what you need to know.
Noise regulations
For the sake of keeping neighbourhoods happy, there are usually restrictions in place on how much noise you can make at given times. Learn more about noise regulations and how these relate to home audio.
Energy ratings and labels for TVs
Because of the vast differences in power consumption between different display technologies, TVs now come with energy star ratings. Learn how to read the labels, and what to look for.
Windows and doors in home theatres
The Building Code of Australia requires that all rooms - even home theatres - be built with a certain amount of window coverage. Find out how to comply with this rule.
Wireless internet laws
Wireless Internet is very popular, but there are rules relating to how it can be used - and connecting to your neighbour's access points may get you in a lot of trouble.
Roof regulations
If you live in a bushfire or cyclone prone area, special regulations affect how your roof is built - and likewise for many other conditions. See what regulations affect roofs.
Chimney and flue height regulations
There are regulations that dictate where you can place a chimney, both in relation to your own roof and the roofs of neighbouring properties. Find out how this applies to your home.
How to identify and deal with asbestos
If you're renovating an older home, there's a fair chance you'll come across asbestos. Because it's so dangerous, laws exist about how it should be handled, and by whom.
Roofs and cyclone codes
If you live in an area of Australia that's prone to cyclones, chances are that your home will need to be constructed to comply with the local cyclone code. Find out what this involves.
Roofs and bushfire codes
If you live in a bushfire prone area, your roof will need to meet special requirements in terms of the way it's constructed. Find out what this means for your home.
Requirements for attics
Attics are fantastic either for storage, or to add an extra room or study to your home. Find out exactly what's required in terms of ventilation, weatherproofing, wiring and safety.
When do I need an electrician?
Installation work? Maintenance work? Need something replaced or upgraded? Find out what kinds of work electricians do, and when you need to call one.
Height and position of power points
Regulations exist in Australia to ensure that power points (or GPOs) are installed safely and sensibly. Learn more about where power points should be installed.
Appliance testing and tagging
Under certain circumstances, portable appliances in homes need to be tested and tagged to ensure that they don't pose an electrical safety risk. Find out when testing and tagging must be carried out.
Safety certificates for electrical work
For all work done by an electrician in Australia, you should obtain an electrical compliance certificate. Find out what a compliance certificate is, how it works and why you need one.
Rebates for solar panels
State and federal governments currently offer significant rebates for solar electricity installations. Find out how these are regulated, how the rebates work, and what you're entitled to.
Safety switch laws and requirements
The law in Australia now requires that all homes be fitted with safety switches (also called residual current devices or RCDs). Learn more about why, and how they work.
Outdoor fittings and cabling
Electrical systems installed outside may be exposed to the elements, so it's vital that appropriately weatherproofed equipment is used. Find out what the law says about outdoor electrical fittings.
Standard door sizes
Find out how regulations affect the sizes and shapes of the doors you install in your home, and why these regulations exist.
Fire door regulations
Fire doors are an important safety measure, and are required in homes used for commercial purposes, like those which feature a storefront or bed and breakfast setups.
Door regulations
In most cases you'll have plenty of freedom to choose and arrange doors - but in some circumstances - particularly if your house is also a business or a rental property - regulations do apply.
Do I need a council permit for a deck or pergola?
Depending on the type of pergola you intend to build, you may need to apply for specific permission to build. Find out when you're likely to need permission, and how to go about submitting an application.
Deck height and handrail regulations
Decks constructed beyond a certain height need to be built with handrails. The construction of the handrails is also regulated, to further lower the risk of an accident. See what's required for your decks.
Cyclone regulations for decks and pergolas
If you're planning on building a pergola in a cyclone prone part of Australia, it will need to comply with the cyclone code. Find out what sorts of cyclone proofing measures are required.
Bushfire regulations for decking and pergolas
Regulations apply in bushfire prone areas which may affect how you're allowed to build a pergola. Find out what regulations apply, and how they affect your plans.
Does the new energy efficiency legislation over-step the mark?
New energy efficiency legislation is designed to make suppliers more accountable for their actions, but does it go too far? And how does it affect you?
How to comply and conform with the new lighting requirements
Lighting installers at any level should be aware of the need to comply with the requirements of the Building Code of Australia (BCA) in both commercial and residential installations.
Temperature restrictions and tempering valves
Find out what sorts of restrictions apply to the temperature of water coming out of any given tap in an Australian household, and how that can be controlled.
Gas installation and use
There are special laws and regulations in place in Australia that control to how gas appliances should be chosen, who can install them and who can maintain them. Here's what you need to know.
Plumbing regulations
While you're not expected to know all of the regulations inside and out, understanding the basics can definitely help you ensure that your plumbing's what it's meant to be.
Grey water systems
Just because water from the tap has been used, it doesn't mean it can't be used again. See how grey water systems can help reduce your water waste.
Water meters
Find out what the law says about the installation and operation of water meters, how they work, and what you can and can't do with them.
Sub metering and smart water meters
See what the law says about water sub metering for apartment blocks, and using smart meters to assess and manage your water usage.
Ventilation and lighting regulations
While insulation is vital to controlling the climate in your home, laws also exist to ensure that fresh air and light are available throughout new houses. Find out what these rules are, and how they relate to insulation.
BCA requirements for insulation
The Building Code of Australia sets out specific rules about how houses need to be insulated. Find out more about what's required for your house, in your state or territory.
Noise pollution laws in Australia
Sound pollution laws make for good neighbours - and knowing what everyone's rights and responsibilities are in terms of sound levels will also help you plan your insulation. Find out more about noise pollution laws.
Insulation regulations
Depending on what the climate's like where you live in Australia, different regulations apply to the amount and type of insulation that needs to be installed.
Soundproofing regulations
There are a number of different regulations that affect how you may need to soundproof your home, including local noise pollution regulations, BCA requirements, and specific ventilation and lighting requirements.
Dishwasher installation guidelines and regulations
Because they use both water and electricity, there are certain rules and regulations that apply to how a dishwasher can be installed in your house. These exist to prevent damage to your house, and to keep you safe.
Cooktop and oven installation requirements
How your oven, cooktop and rangehood are installed (and who they're installed by) are fairly strictly regulated in Australia, for obvious reasons. Here's a run-down of the kinds of considerations that need to be met.
Kitchen bench regulations
There are some fairly well-defined rules when it comes to how kitchen benchtops should be installed. Read more about what these are.
Splashback regulations
There are certain restrictions that apply to splashbacks, most significantly determining where they should be installed and how big they need to be. Read more about splashback regulations.
Kitchen appliance regulations
Buying and fitting major kitchen appliances isn't always as easy as just putting them where they'll fit and plugging them in.
Sink and tap regulations
There are several regulations in Australia that affect how you buy plumbing products, how they need to be positioned in relation to other parts of your kitchen, and how they need to be installed.
Solar regulations
How do solar rebates work - and how much are you entitled to? Who needs to install your solar panels, and what sorts of qualifications or accreditations do they need?
Wind power regulations
There are certain regulations and some paperwork you'll need to know about if you're planning on installing wind - especially if you're hoping to feed energy back into the grid or claim government rebates in the form of STCs.
Regulations and passive design
There are a number of regulations in Australia that will affect how you design your home. These regulations mostly exist to ensure that liveable areas are healthy and safe.
Wind and solar rebates
The Australian federal government provides rebates for people who install renewable energy systems for their homes. Find out how these work, and what you're likely to be entitled to.
Solar panel designer / installer accreditation and warranty support
In Australia, there are certain laws and regulations that exist to ensure that only accredited tradespeople do certain parts of an installation. Find out who needs to install your solar system, and why.
Energy retailers, distributors and paperwork
There's a bit of bureaucracy and paperwork involved when it comes to feeding wind power back into the grid. Learn which parties are involved, what role they play and what's required on your end.
Hot water regulations and rebates
Because many hot water systems operate on electricity or gas and heat water to scalding temperatures, there are some important safety regulations in place. Likewise, some systems attract generous government rebates which are well worth knowing about.
How to choose an electrician
There's not much electrical work you're legally allowed to do for yourself in Australia. Find out when you need to hire an electrician, and how to find the right one.