The safety warning comes ahead of National Asbestos Awareness Week, which runs from November 20-26.

QBCC Commissioner, Anissa Levy, says many homes built before 1990 may contain the potentially deadly product, so it is important that property owners are not complacent when undertaking DIY home projects.

“Asbestos products in good condition do not affect your heath, but if they have been disturbed or damaged, they can be harmful,’’ Commissioner Levy says.

“The risk occurs when the asbestos fibre particles become airborne and are inhaled into the lungs. If these particles remain lodged in the lungs, it can lead to an asbestos-related disease, which can be fatal.

“We want people to always be safe in their homes, so if you are undertaking renovations these holidays and are unsure if a product contains asbestos, the safest thing to do is have it checked by a licensed asbestos assessor.

“If asbestos is discovered, we urge you to use an appropriately licensed asbestos remover to safely dispose of the product.”

Homeowners can remove up to 10 square metres or less of non-friable materials containing asbestos but must follow strict safe work procedures and safety precautions. 

Commissioner Levy says the QBCC has an Asbestos Finder which is an easy-to-use interactive online tool to help homeowners identify where the dangerous product may be found in or around their homes.

“Many homeowners think that asbestos sheeting is located in walls and floors, but it can be found in multiple building materials, including gutters, gables, flooring underlay, fences, sheds and splashbacks,” she says.

“Asbestos was banned in building products in 1990, but some houses built in the 1990s or early 2000s still used asbestos-containing products until a total ban came into effect in 2003, so we encourage homeowners to check their homes before carrying out any DIY works.”

The QBCC is part of a working group with State and federal authorities, including Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency and the Asbestos Disease Support Society, to improve owner and builder knowledge.

In November 2017, Queensland introduced nation-leading non-conforming building product (NCBP) laws. They allow the QBCC to thoroughly investigate potential NCBPs.

In addition, under these laws, everyone in the building product supply chain is responsible for ensuring the products used on Queensland buildings are:

• safe, and 
• compliant with the relevant regulatory requirements (e.g. the National Construction Code or the Australian Standards), and
• perform to the standard they are represented to perform to.

Whilst asbestos products were totally banned in 2003, if any homeowner suspects they have had asbestos products installed in their home on or after 1 November 2017, they are urged to contact the QBCC. 

Background

Guidance on removing 10 square metres or less of non-friable asbestos materials is available from  Asbestos: a guide for minor renovations. However, the safest way is to engage a licenced asbestos removalist to undertake the work.

For a list of licensed asbestos removers visit Worksafe Queensland.

More information regarding asbestos can be found on the Queensland Government Asbestos website.

Support for people affected by asbestos is accessible via the Asbestos Disease Support Society (1800 776 412). 

Fast fact: 

• Asbestos is a mineral that was widely used in the building industry between the 1940s and 1980s because it was good at insulating and resisting heat.

Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) officers will be cracking down on unlicensed workers to ensure the construction industry is meeting its obligations around safety and building standards.

Where appropriate, the QBCC officers will provide advice to contractors and home owners if they have questions or concerns about building work.

QBCC Commissioner, Anissa Levy, says the blitz will kick off in southeast Queensland, before progressing to other locations across the State.

“Our action helps keep work sites free of risk and protects the people who will live, work and gather in the buildings under construction by ensuring they have been built by workers with the appropriate skills and qualifications,’’ Commissioner Levy says.

“They also give our officers an opportunity to connect with contractors on active sites to provide advice about the work being undertaken. We also use the opportunity to inform home owners about their rights and the role of the QBCC.

“The great news is that we know from previous compliance action that the majority of licensed contractors do the right thing, but we need to ensure this remains the case.”

Commissioner Levy says anyone caught breaking the law by working without a licence, outside of their scope, or by hiring unlicensed individuals, will be penalised.

“The QBCC has zero tolerance for unlicensed activity and there are significant penalties for anyone caught working without the appropriate licence,” she says.

“One of the reasons we take a tough stance on unlicensed activity is that it helps reduce defective building work, which could cost owners additional time and money to rectify.

“It also ensures there is a level playing field for our licensed contractors who are doing the right thing by obtaining qualifications and experience and providing the QBCC with evidence of their financial stability each year.”

Commissioner Levy says home owners who choose licensed contractors have peace of mind knowing that they meet these important criteria.

“In addition to these safeguards, QBCC licensees also know that they are required to use contracts and take out insurance on work worth more than $3,300, which protects owners against incomplete or defective work.”

In the 2022-2023 financial year, the QBCC undertook 1,404 site visits or inspections and launched investigations into 735 instances of unlicensed contracting and 204 instances of improper use of a licence.

Background

An individual or company caught working without a licence can be fined up to $3,096 for the first offence.

A subsequent offence will result in prosecution, with three or more offences being referred to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for indictment, with a maximum penalty of imprisonment for one year.

As of 1 May 2024, changes have been made to the National Construction Code (NCC) 2022 to improve residential energy efficiency standards in new homes. The Modern Homes residential energy efficiency standards will be implemented through amendment of the existing Queensland Development Code 4.1 – Sustainable Buildings (QDC 4.1).

Residential energy efficiency requirements

New houses and units need to have:

• 7-star rating (out of 10) for the building shell (roof, walls, windows, and floors). Energy efficiency features may include good orientation, better insulation, ceiling fans and window design and a lighter coloured roof 
• whole-of-home energy use allowance that covers the energy use of the home’s major appliances and any on-site renewable energy such as a solar photovoltaic (PV) system. 

While Queensland will align with the NCC 2022 energy efficiency requirements, the optional one-star credit towards the building shell for inclusion of an outdoor living area will remain to ensure Queenslanders can take advantage of our outdoor living lifestyle and climate. 

To align Queensland with the NCC residential energy efficiency requirements, QDC 4.1 will be updated to: 

• remove Queensland’s optional installation of a solar PV energy system 
• remove the ability to use a 2009 version glazing calculator, in favour of the current calculator 
• require compliance with the NCC 2022 7-star rating requirements in new houses and units. 

QDC 4.1 will retain the optional one-star credit for outdoor living areas for new houses and expand it state-wide for new apartment buildings. This optional credit recognises Queensland’s unique outdoor housing design and lifestyle. 

The amended QDC 4.1 will commence on 1 May 2024 

Further information and support

• Housing Energy Efficiency Calculator
• Australian Building Codes Board Resource library
• ABCB FAQ Energy Efficiency changes
• Department of Housing, Local Government, Planning and Public Works
• Modern Homes
• NatHERS

From 1 October 2023, phase 1 of the Modern Homes accessibility standards commences. 

National Construction Code 2022 (NCC) provisions – Livable Housing Design Standard provides for: 

• a step-free path to the entrance
• at least one step-free entry into the home
• slightly wider internal doorways and corridors
• an accessible toilet
• a step-free (hobless) shower
• provision for future inclusion of grabrails in an accessible bathroom and toilet.

The Queensland Government has released the Queensland Development Code – Mandatory Part 4.5 – Livable dwellings and grading to floor wastes (QDC MP4.5) for application to class 1 buildings and sole-occupancy units in class 2 buildings. The QDC MP4.5 facilitates the adoption of the livable housing design and grading to floor waste provision in the NCC by providing additional acceptable solutions and appropriate transitional arrangements.

QDC MP4.5 new accessibility variations provide for: 

• Time limited exemption of 18 months to 31 March 2025 from the accessibility standards for: 
  • New houses on narrow lots with a frontage of 12.5metres wide or less, created prior to 1 October 2023 or created after that date and on or before 31 March 2025 in limited circumstances.
  • Small pre-built houses 55 m² or less in floor area wholly or predominately manufactured off-site completed prior to 1 October 2023 and constructed on or prior to 31 March 2025.
  • Exemptions form the accessibility standards for a compliant toilet on the ground or entry level of a house in limited circumstances and for repairs and maintenance generally.
• Exemptions for renovations of toilets and bathrooms in existing homes including from the requirements to provide: 
  • wider doorways unless the renovation involves demolition of the existing doorway
  • a larger toilet area unless the renovation increases the size of the toilet area
  • reinforcement for grabrails unless the wall framing is exposed.
• Additional solutions that do not require the grading of a floor where a floor waste is voluntarily included in a bathroom, and for showers and sanitary compartments (if there is no habitable room on the ground or entry level) to achieve compliance with the accessibility standards. 

Transitional arrangements and new building guideline

Section 37 of the Building Act 1975 provides transitional arrangements when building assessment provisions change, such as the introduction of the Modern Homes standards.

Section 37 allows a development approval to be given under the provisions that were in place prior to the new building assessment provision applying when:

• the approved building work starts before the commencement date of the new building assessment provision
• the building development approval was given before the commencement date of the new building assessment provision, but the building work has not yet started
• a building development application is made before the commencement date of the new building assessment provision, but the application has not yet been decided
• planning for carrying out the building work started before the commencement date of the new building assessment provision and the building certifier can certify the following in writing:
  • that substantial progress was made on the design of the building, or the design was completed before the commencement date e.g. this might be evidenced by a signed building contract referring to the design or plans
  • the design would need to be changed to comply with the amended provision
  • the changes needed are not minor changes. 

Additional information for building certifiers 

The Department of Energy & Public Works (the Department) has prepared a guideline to assist building certifiers to apply transitional provisions – Guideline for applying transitional arrangements when building requirements change (epw.qld.gov.au) (August 2023).

The Department have developed a non-mandatory Form 77 Variation to building assessment provisions to assist building certifiers document decisions about the transitional provisions.  

Update to standard

The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) has issued a correction to the Livable Housing Design Standard (the standard).

This change clarifies that the total ramp lengths and the corresponding gradients nominated in Clause 1.1(4)(a) of the standard are the parameters applicable to the concession in NCC Volume Two H8D2(2). For example, a step-free pathway need not be provided should that pathway necessitate more than 15 m of ramps (not including landings) at 1:20 gradient (see Clause 1.1(4)(a)(ii)).

For more information on the standard, including application of the concession, refer to the ABCB Livable Housing Design Handbook.

The National Construction Code (NCC) is produced by the Australian Building Code Board (ABCB). As a performance-based code, it sets the minimum required level for the safety, health, amenity, accessibility and sustainability of certain buildings. 

What you need to know

NCC 2022 commenced on 1 May 2023 with additional release of the Modern Homes standards commencing in two phases:  

• Phase 1 of the Modern Homes accessibility standards commenced on 1 October 2023.  
• Phase 2 Modern Homes energy efficiency standards commenced on 1 May 2024.

QBCC contractor licensees, building certifiers, designers and homeowners should make themselves aware of the new provisions and what is required for new or renovated homes from 1 October 2023.

For Queenslanders, the Queensland Development Code (QDC) also provides guidance on matters outside the scope of the NCC, or in addition to it. Note that the QDC’s state-based variations prevail over the NCC in Queensland.

Looking for more?

• The new Modern Homes accessibility standards will be phased in from 1 October 2023
• The new Modern Homes energy efficiency standards will commence on 1 May 2024. 

The delay of the NCC’s Modern Homes energy efficiency standards recognises that not all commonly used compliance tools have been released and allows industry further time to prepare for the energy efficiency changes. 

These mandatory standards will mean new houses and units are designed to be more accessible for everyone and energy efficient.

From 1 October 2023, new homes will need to include design features, such as a step-free entry and wider doors and hallways to make sure homes are safer and better for long-term use.

From 1 May 2024, energy efficient features, such as ceiling fans or energy efficient hot water systems, will also need to be included to achieve the energy efficiency standards. These features will provide savings for new householders on their energy bills.

Software accredited under NatHERS is the most common method used to comply with the energy efficiency standards. Software offers flexible design options compared to the more prescriptive deemed-to-satisfy method under NCC Volume Two. Builders may wish to consider the most cost-effective and efficient way to assess their house plans for compliance with the new NCC 2022 energy efficiency standards. 

The Department of Energy and Public Works is supporting industry to apply the Modern Homes standards through changes including:

• an 18-month exemption period for narrow lots (frontage of 12.5 metres or less) and existing pre-built class 1 dwellings (55 metres squared2 or less in size)
• ongoing exemptions where it is not practical or reasonable to apply the new standards to toilet and bathroom renovations, and also to any general repairs and maintenance
• greater flexibility for step-down showers and grading to floor wastes. 

Step-free access will also not be required for houses on small lots, steep lots and generally for the iconic Queenslander-style home. 

This will allow designers and builders to choose a cost-effective option while ensuring homeowners are protected from having to undertake expensive retrofitting in the future.

Other NCC 2022 changes are not impacted by the phased approach to Modern Homes. For example, provisions relating to condensation management and facilitating the future installation of on-site renewable energy generation and storage and electric vehicle charging equipment will commence on 1 October 2023.

For more information about the new building standards, including guidance material, visit the Department of Energy and Public Works website at qld.gov.au/modernhomes.

For more information about the NCC 2022, visit the Australian Building Code Boards’ website at www.abcb.gov.au.