THE PLUMBING CODE OF AUSTRALIA

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National Construction CODE PLUMBING CODE Building perform Requir
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National Construction CODE PLUMBING CODE Building perform Requir
THE PLUMBING CODE 
OF AUSTRALIA 
INFORMATION & MATERIALS 
FOR  
PLUMBING PRACTITIONERS
A plumbing or drainage 
solution will comply with the 
Plumbing Code if it satisfies the 
Performance Requirements, 
which are the legal 
requirements of the Code.
THE PLUMBING CODE OF AUSTRALIA 
(PCA)
The National Construction Code series (NCC) is an initiative of the Council of Australian Governments 
developed to incorporate all on-site construction requirements into a single code.
The PCA is Volume Three of the NCC series and deals with plumbing and drainage requirements within  
all buildings.
The goal of the PCA is…
… to enable the achievement of nationally consistent, minimum necessary standards of relevant safety, 
health, amenity, and sustainability objectives efficiently.
Building Code of Australia 
Class 2 to Class 9 Buildings
VOLUME ONE
NATIONAL 
CONSTRUCTION 
CODE 2016
Building Code of Australia 
Class 1 and Class 10 Buildings
VOLUME TWO
2016
NATIONAL 
CONSTRUCTION 
CODE
Extracted from the 
National Construction Code 
2016
2016
CONSOLIDATED 
PERFORMANCE 
REQUIREMENTS
Plumbing Code of Australia
VOLUME THREE
2016
NATIONAL 
CONSTRUCTION 
CODE
Building Code of Australia 
Class 2 to Class 9 Buildings
VOLUME ONE
NATIONAL 
CONSTRUCTION 
CODE 2016
Building Code of Australia 
Class 2 to Class 9 Buildings
VOLUME ONE
NATIONAL 
CONSTRUCTION 
CODE 2016
Building Code of Australia 
Class 1 and Class 10 Buildings
VOLUME TWO
2016
NATIONAL 
CONSTRUCTION 
CODE
Building Code of Australia 
Class 1 and Class 10 Buildings
VOLUME TWO
2016
NATIONAL 
CONSTRUCTION 
CODE
Extracted from the 
National Construction Code 
2016
2016
CONSOLIDATED 
PERFORMANCE 
REQUIREMENTS
Extracted from the 
National Construction Code 
2016
2016
CONSOLIDATED 
PERFORMANCE 
REQUIREMENTS
Plumbing Code of Australia
VOLUME THREE
2016
NATIONAL 
CONSTRUCTION 
CODE
Plumbing Code of Australia
VOLUME THREE
2016
NATIONAL 
CONSTRUCTION 
CODE
Plumbing Code of Australia
VOLUME THREE
2016
NATIONAL 
CONSTRUCTION 
CODE
Every plumbing practitioner needs to be familiar with the requirements of the PCA. 
The PCA and all the NCC volumes are freely available to access online or download in PDF from the ABCB 
website at: www.abcb.gov.au
1
To find out more, visit our website at www.abcb.gov.au
WHAT DOES THE PCA COVER?
The PCA deals with all aspects of plumbing and drainage and sets out the minimum requirements for the 
construction, installation, replacement, repair and maintenance of plumbing systems, specifically: 
✔
✔ Water Services 
✔
✔ Sanitary Plumbing & Drainage
✔
✔ Stormwater Drainage
✔
✔ Heating, Ventilation &  
Air-conditioning
✔
✔ On-site Wastewater
✔
✔ Materials and Products: 
Certification & Authorisation 
These sections are adopted through the 
PCA by legislation within the States and 
Territories.
Each section identifies the Mandatory 
Performance Requirements. 
The Performance Requirements of the 
PCA can only be satisfied by - 
a) developing a Performance 
Solution; or
b) using the Deemed-to-Satisfy 
Provisions; or 
c) a combination of (a) and (b).
The AS/NZS 3500 suite of Standards form part of the Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions of the PCA.
PCA 2016
A PERFORMANCE BASED CODE
The performance based Plumbing Code (PCA) consists of compliance solutions 
that enable plumbing or drainage installation to meet the compliance level.
COMPLIANCE
LEVEL
COMPLIANCE
SOLUTIONS
PERFORMANCE
SOLUTION
DEEMED-TO-SATISFY
SOLUTION
and/or
PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS
2
To find out more, visit our website at www.abcb.gov.au
3
THE PCA PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS 
A Performance Solution (formerly known as an Alternative Solution) allows you the flexibility to comply 
with the plumbing and drainage requirements as an alternative option to the Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions 
through AS/NZS 3500.  Developing a Performance Solution provides plumbers with new opportunities to 
undertake plumbing and drainage work.
A range of performance guidance material is available on the ABCB website to provide practitioners with 
information on how performance is achieved, providing a variety of examples.
DEVEL
OPMEN
T OF 
PERFO
RMAN
CE SOL
UTION
S
The Aus
tralian B
uilding 
Codes B
oard (A
BCB) ha
s produ
ced this
 docum
ent to fa
cilitate 
the dev
elopme
nt of pe
rforman
ce 
solution
s. The d
ocumen
t is inte
nded fo
r use by
 all part
ies with
 an inte
rest in t
he form
ulation 
of perfo
rmance
 solutio
ns that 
comply
 with th
e Perfo
rmance
 Requir
ements
 of Volu
me One
, Volum
e Two a
nd Volu
me Thre
e of the
 Nationa
l Constr
uction 
Code (N
CC). Co
mplianc
e with t
he NCC
 is only 
achieve
d by sa
tisfying 
the Per
formanc
e Requi
rements
. This d
ocumen
t is 
suitable
 for use
 in the d
evelopm
ent of b
oth sim
ple and
 comple
x perfor
mance 
solution
s. The p
rocess 
requires
 project
 
stakeho
lders to
 collabo
rate and
 develo
p an ag
reed pa
thway f
or the d
esign p
rocess 
to follow
, in orde
r to pro
duce an
 
accepta
ble outc
ome.
A proce
ss to as
sist in t
he deve
lopmen
t of a pe
rforman
ce solu
tion is o
utlined 
below:
PREPA
RE A P
ERFOR
MANC
E-BAS
ED DE
SIGN B
RIEF
CARRY
 OUT A
NALYS
IS, MO
DELLI
NG OR
 TESTI
NG
COLLA
TE AN
D EVAL
UATE R
ESULT
S
PREPA
RE A F
INAL R
EPORT
GUIDA
NCE D
OCUME
NT
DEVELOPING A SOLUTION 
USING THE NCC
2 
Developing the solution... it’s your choice!
The Performance Requirements of the NCC can be met using either a Performance 
Solution (an ‘Alternative Solution’) and/or a Deemed-to-Satisfy (complying with the 
Deemed-to-Satisfy (DtS) Provisions)
Performance Solution
3 
Document your solution with supporting evidence
Provide evidence that the use of a material or product and the design or the form of 
construction used in the solution satisfies the Performance Requirement/s
www.abcb.gov.au
1 
The Performance Requirements
A building, plumbing or drainage solution will comply with the NCC if it satisfies the 
Performance Requirements, which are the NCC mandatory requirements
&/or
Deemed-to-Satisfy Solution
Version 2.0
Extracted from the 
National Construction Code 
2016
2016
CONSOLIDATED 
PERFORMANCE 
REQUIREMENTS
To achieve compliance and meet the legal requirements of the PCA, you have a choice.
To find out more on these options, visit the ABCB’s website resource library at: www.abcb.gov.au
4
THE AUSTRALIAN PLUMBING 
REGULATION FRAMEWORK 
Where does the PCA fit, and why do I need to comply?
The PCA is given legal effect by the relevant legislation within each State and Territory. In conjunction 
with the legislation it provides industry with the minimum requirements of what is legally required for a 
plumbing installation.
The State and Territory Acts ensure community objectives are met for the 
benefit of the community.
The State and Territory Regulations direct us to what we ‘must’ do to 
ensure the objectives are met.
The PCA is the ‘guiding rule book’ – it is the critical link between the 
regulations and the development of plumbing solutions to ensure they 
perform in a manner which meets the regulatory obligations.
The Referenced Standards provide much of the ‘Deemed-to-Satisfy’ 
Solutions for ‘on-the-ground’ installations.
5
WHY YOU SHOULD REGISTER FOR 
ACCESS TO THE PCA
Play your part in delivering better, safer buildings with high standards of plumbing and drainage 
installations throughout Australia. 
Anyone can register for free access to the PCA at www.abcb.gov.au  
Registering will not only provide you with access, but also ensures you will receive important updates  
and relevant information about the Code. The website also provides you with an ever-increasing amount of: 
• practitioner materials for download and online viewing;
• education and learning materials for practitioners, students, educators and trainers; and
• information videos, webcasts and presentations.
These products and materials are designed for all levels of knowledge and experience within the plumbing 
and construction related industries.
6
RESOURCES & MATERIALS 
The ABCB website provides an increasing range of downloadable products and materials for the benefit 
of practitioners, administrators, students, educators and trainers within the plumbing industry and assists 
those working with the PCA and the NCC more broadly.
Handbooks    
Although predominantly 
building related, the 
handbooks contain elements 
of plumbing specific 
content. Handbooks are 
non-mandatory, providing 
guidance on specific topics 
considered unsuitable for 
legislation.
Digi
tal B
uildi
ng 
Tele
com
mun
icati
ons 
Acce
ss
2 0
0 6
Guid
eline
Using
 On-s
ite Re
newa
ble 
and R
eclaim
ed En
ergy
Hand
book
NON-M
ANDAT
ORY D
OCUM
ENT
2 0 1
6
S E C
O N D
 E D
I T I O
N
Constru
ction of
 Buildin
gs 
in Flood
 Hazard 
Areas
2 0 1 2
Handbo
ok
NON-MA
NDATORY
 DOCUME
NT
Dura
bilit
y in 
Buil
ding
s 
inclu
ding
 Plum
bing
 Inst
allat
ions
Han
dbo
ok
NON
-MAN
DATO
RY D
OCU
MEN
T
2 0
1 5
S E
C O
N D
 E D
I T I
O N
Struc
tural 
Reliab
ility H
andbo
ok
2 0 1
5
NON-M
ANDAT
ORY D
OCUM
ENT
Hand
book
NCC Vol
ume One
  
Energy E
fficiency
 Provisio
ns  
2 0 1 6
  
F O U R
T H  E D
I T I O N
  
Handbo
ok  
NON-MA
NDATORY
 DOCUME
NT  
Structural Robu
stness Handboo
k
2 0 1 6
NON-MANDATORY
 DOCUMENT
Handbook
Sound Transmission and 
Insulation in Buildings
2 0 1 6
S E C O N D  E D I T I O N
Handbook
NON-MANDATORY DOCUMENT
NCC Volume Two  
Energy Efficiency Provisions
2 0 1 6
T H I R D  E D I T I O N
Handbook
NON-MANDATORY DOCUMENT Handbook
NON-MANDATORY DOCUMENT
Indoor Air Quality
2 0 1 6
Upgrading Existing Buildings
2 0 1 6
Handbook
NON-MANDATORY DOCUMENT
Lifts Used Durin
g Evacuation
2 0 1 3
Handbook
NON-MANDATORY
 DOCUMENT
Design and Construction of 
Community Bushfire Refuges
2 0 1 4
Handbook
NON-MANDATORY DOCUMENT
Durability in Buildin
gs 
including Plumbing
 Installations
Handbook
NON-MANDATORY DO
CUMENT
2 0 1 5
S E C O N D  E D
I T I O N
Condensation in Buildings
Handbook
NON-MANDATORY DOCUMENT
2 0 1 4
S E C O N D  E D I T I O N
Maintenance of  
Safety Measures, Equipment and 
Energy Efficiency Installations
Handbook
NON-MANDATORY DOCUMENT
2 0 1 5
S E C O N D  E D I T I O N
JV3 - Energy Efficiency
2 0 1 6
Handbook
NON-MANDATORY DOCUMENT
Landslide Hazards
Handbook
NON-MANDATORY DOCUMENT
2 0 1 5
S E C O N D  E D I T I O N
The Durability in Buildings including Plumbing Installations 
Handbook has been developed to foster an improved understanding of the 
durability issues in buildings and plumbing installations. The Handbook 
can be used by practitioners to develop solutions relevant to specific 
situations and in accordance with the generic principles and criteria.
Additional Handbooks for the plumbing industry are due to be released  
in 2017.
7
RESOURCES & MATERIALS 
NCC Course Portal
Through the NCC Course Portal, the ABCB 
promotes training and education courses that 
are based on NCC Tutor or the Resource Kits 
and delivered by a University, TAFE or Registered 
Training Organisation (RTO). The portal allows 
users to search for courses based on location, 
topic, or by University, TAFE or RTO. 
New...
Understanding the NCC – Energy efficiency provisions for building 
services including plumbing and drainage requirements.
The Understanding the NCC series provides information in ‘plain 
English’ on both plumbing and building requirements.  This flyer has 
been developed for plumbers, electricians and other on-site trades, 
to help understand how the energy efficiency provisions apply to their 
daily work.
8
RESOURCES & MATERIALS 
PCA Webcasts & Videos
In addition to the range of downloadable materials, the ABCB is developing an increasing number of short 
videos on the PCA and on contemporary issues surrounding its content and application. 
NCC 2016: Update on the Plumbing Code of Australia
Upon release of each edition of the PCA, a series of 
webcasts are developed for those working within the 
plumbing (and building) industries. The most recent 
webcast identifies changes to the PCA for 2016 which will 
remain current until May 2019.
The webcast can be viewed online and forms part of 
a growing channel of existing and planned videos that 
include: 
PCA: A Critical Component 
This clip is a highly informative presentation originally 
delivered at the Building Australia’s Future 2015 
Conference. The clip provides an overview of the PCA 
and the development and use of Performance Solutions 
as a means of compliance.
9
RESOURCES & MATERIALS 
What is WaterMark Anyway?
Also from the Building Australia’s Future 2015 Conference 
this presentation provides information on the WaterMark 
Certification Scheme and how it applies to the majority of 
products and materials used in a plumbing or drainage 
installation.
Developing Performance Solutions
This YouTube clip provides an 
easy-to-follow, four step process 
about developing Performance 
based Design Solutions. To assist 
in the development of these 
solutions, the ABCB has produced 
a Guidance Document which has 
been endorsed by a number of 
industry groups and is the basis 
of the clip.
DEVELOPMENT OF 
PERFORMANCE SOLUTIONS
The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) has produced this document to facilitate the development of performance 
solutions. The document is intended for use by all parties with an interest in the formulation of performance solutions that 
comply with the Performance Requirements of Volume One, Volume Two and Volume Three of the National Construction 
Code (NCC). Compliance with the NCC is only achieved by satisfying the Performance Requirements. This document is 
suitable for use in the development of both simple and complex performance solutions. The process requires project 
stakeholders to collaborate and develop an agreed pathway for the design process to follow, in order to produce an 
acceptable outcome.
A process to assist in the development of a performance solution is outlined below:
PREPARE A PERFORMANCE-BASED DESIGN BRIEF
CARRY OUT ANALYSIS, MODELLING OR TESTING
COLLATE AND EVALUATE RESULTS
PREPARE A FINAL REPORT
GUIDANCE DOCUMENT
10
RESOURCES & MATERIALS
Resource Kits
The PCA Resource Kit has been developed to assist training professions, such as teachers, lecturers or 
registered training organisations in the delivery of current information. 
The Kit provides instructions about its use and tailoring for groups at different levels of understanding,  
and comprises an extensive PowerPoint presentation including lecture notes, FAQs and case studies.
The PCA Resource Kit comprises a master set of slides that can be adapted to suit the following 
audiences: 
• 1st year apprentice students;
• 2nd year apprentice students;
• 3rd year apprentice students;
• Certificate IV students; and
• Plumbing professionals (both as a refresher 
course and as a complete version).
The Resource Kits can 
be downloaded from the 
ABCB website along with 
further information on 
how to get the most out 
of these valuable training 
materials.
11
WATERMARK 
The WaterMark Certification Scheme (WaterMark) is a mandatory 
certification scheme for plumbing and drainage materials and 
products to ensure they are fit for purpose and appropriately 
authorised for use in plumbing and drainage installations.
The ABCB manages and administers WaterMark as a national 
scheme. The PCA requires certain plumbing and drainage materials 
and products to be certified and authorised for use in a plumbing or 
drainage installation. These materials and products are certified and 
authorised for use through WaterMark.
In order to achieve certification, the material or product must:
• be tested by a recognised testing laboratory;
• comply with an approved specification (either an existing 
standard or WaterMark Technical Specification);
• be manufactured in accordance with an approved Quality Assurance Program; and
• carry a warranty. 
Materials and products complying with these requirements may be certified and authorised for use upon 
the granting of a WaterMark licence. Licensed materials and products are to be listed on the WaterMark 
Product Database identified by the WaterMark trade mark, which must be displayed on the material or 
product. 
12
INFORMATION SERVICES
Connect is a periodic electronic publication providing industry with 
information on regulatory, design, building and plumbing issues and 
developments. 
Articles are developed by the ABCB office and sourced nationally 
through State & Territory building and plumbing administrations, industry 
associations and professionals providing expert opinion on regulatory, 
technical and industry specific topics. 
Connect is an information service for all those involved within the construction industry, be it regulators, 
building designers, structural and hydraulic engineers, builders, plumbers, students and educators. 
Ensure you are an NCC registered user to receive your copy when released, or visit the ABCB website.
Social Media
The ABCB’s social media presence provides an important and effective communication channel for 
practitioners and students to be kept up to date as information and notices become available.
If you are already connected with either Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn, be sure to join the ABCB LinkedIn 
page, follow us on Twitter, and Like our Facebook page to ensure you have access to the latest information 
on ABCB and NCC products and services, along with information on related news and events.
    facebook.com/ 
ABCB.NCC
www.linkedin.com/company/
australian-building-codes-board
@abcb_ncc
13
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
ABCB Cadetship Program
The ABCB Cadetship program is a 12 month ABCB placement offering applicants the opportunity to further 
develop their working knowledge and skills within the building and construction industry.
Applicants require good communication, sound research capabilities and strong team work skills. Given the 
nature of the ABCB’s work program, applicants generally have backgrounds in one or more of the following 
fields: Building Certification / Building Surveying; Building / Built Environment; Construction Management; 
Architecture; Construction Engineering; and Plumbing or Hydraulic Design or associated field.
The PCA is freely available on the  
ABCB website at: www.abcb.gov.au
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