ABC of the Building Code of Australia

Do you work in the building industry and are looking to enhance your understanding of the building code?

The ABC of the Building Code of Australia (BCA) course provides a practical introduction to the National Construction Code (NCC) and its application to residential building work. Designed for professionals working in building, construction, certification, planning and compliance roles, the course will help you develop a foundational understanding of how the BCA is structured, interpreted and applied in practice.

You will explore key provisions relating to Class 1 and Class 10 buildings, gain confidence navigating the NCC, and develop an understanding of the relationship between building legislation, performance requirements and Deemed-to-Satisfy provisions. Through practical examples and real-world scenarios, you will build the knowledge needed to better understand building compliance requirements and engage more effectively with building regulation processes.

Whether you are new to the industry or looking to strengthen your understanding of the building regulatory framework, this course provides an ideal starting point for developing practical knowledge of the BCA and NCC.

Course information

Enrol now

Course content

This building regulation course focuses on Class 1 and 10 Buildings, blending essential theory with practical, applied examples to help you interpret and use the BCA with confidence. Through guided discussions and real-world scenarios, you will gain a clear understanding of how the code operates in practice and how to apply it effectively in your role. The course will cover the following topics:

Importance of Building Codes

• Linkage of legislation
• BCA Hierarchy – Objectives, Functional Statements, Performance Requirements
• Verification methods
• Housing Provisions format and navigating your way around
• Language and Clause Structure
• Differences between BCA Volume 1 and Volume 2

Rules relating to the BCA

• Meeting Performance Requirements
• Assessment Methods
• Interpretation of Housing Provisions
• Classification of Buildings, Why Classify, How to Classify
• Performance provisions

Building and Compliance matters

• Earthworks
• Termites
• Footings and Slabs
• Fire Separation
• Smoke detectors
• Wet areas
• Room heights
• Light and Ventilation
• Stairs and balustrades
• Energy Efficiency

Learning outcomes

At the completion of this BCA course you will have an understanding of:

• The importance of Building Codes
• How to identify the format of Housing Provisions
• The language and clause structure
• Classifying buildings in accordance with the Code
• Acceptable construction and performance provisions.

Intended audience

This building code course is designed for participants wanting a basic understanding of the Building Code of Australia 2022 Volume 2, with a focus on the housing provisions (Volume 2). It has no prerequisites and is open to all members of the public.

Delivery Style

Online, via a live video link (Zoom) - a reliable internet connection is required. Video connection details and teaching materials will be made available to participants prior to the course via Canvas, the UTS Learning Management System (LMS).

UTS City Campus, delivered face-to-face - location details and teaching materials will be made available to participants prior to the course.

About the presenters

Stephen Krimmer has held senior positions in academia, local government and the private sector for over two decades. Stephen’s expertise includes planning, sustainability and development assessment. His passion for strategic and sustainable planning outcomes is demonstrated in his planning roles and his development and delivery of training courses across NSW.

For the past decade, Stephen has devoted his time equally between academia and working within the planning sector and is regular presenter at UTS IPPG. Stephen also develops and delivers bespoke training courses for government and non-government organisations including Sydney Trains and regularly speaks at state-wide conferences.

Stephen has University qualifications in Environmental Health majoring in planning and building, as well as qualifications in Training and Assessment and Carbon Management. Stephen’s relevant roles have included; Senior Sustainability Planner, Supervisor of Development Assessment Team and Presenter of professional development programs at UTS IPPG.

Craig Squires is an Accredited Certifier with over 30 years of experience in local government certification, specialising in building compliance, certification processes, and fire safety. As the Coordinator of the Certification and Fire Safety team in a local council in Western Sydney, Craig plays a pivotal role in ensuring regulatory compliance and upholding safety standards across the built environment.

With extensive knowledge of the Building Code of Australia and certification requirements, Craig plays a leading role in the training and development of industry professionals. For over a decade, he has been a key presenter of professional development courses at UTS IPPG, delivering specialised training programs designed for certifiers, building surveyors and construction professionals to help them navigate complex regulatory frameworks. In addition to his work in professional training, Craig has extensive teaching experience in higher education. He has lectured in undergraduate and postgraduate programs at the tertiary level.