Understanding Livable Housing requirements and flexible compliance options.
Written by Cathryn Grant, Access Leader Victoria
A performance solution can be the difference between a stalled design and a compliant, accessible livable housing outcome.
The National Construction Code, 2022, Volume 2, for Class 1 and 10 buildings, requires Class 1A buildings – single dwelling houses – to meet Part H8. This is a requirement for all states except NSW.
The Standard covers six elements:
- Dwelling access – from the property boundary or an associated garage or car park (for Class 1a buildings)
- Entrances – at least one entrance is level and step free
- Doors and corridors – to allow unimpeded access
- Sanitary compartments – including circulation spaces at the toilet
- Shower – requirements including step free and hobless
- Reinforcement – of walls around the toilet, shower and bath (if provided) to allow the future installation of grabrails.
This part is structured like other sections of the NCC, there are objectives, functional statements, performance requirements and deemed-to-satisfy (DTS) provisions.
The relevant DTS is Part H8D2 which essentially requires the dwelling to comply with the ABCA Livable housing design handbook (use link to access 2025 version), which provides the technical details on how to design to meet these requirements.
The performance requirements can be met by following the DTS provisions, using a performance solution, or applying a combination of both.
Architecture & Access prepares Livable Housing performance solutions, with each scenario assessed by our Accredited Access Consultants. We determine whether the proposed solution can be supported and, where appropriate, provide advice on how access can be improved.
Common scenarios include construction errors that result in insufficient circulation space, or existing site conditions that make compliance difficult, particularly in small single-fronted Victorian houses.
Our team can review and provide advice at all stages of the project to ensure that compliance with the Livable Housing DTS can be achieved and where not, how best to address this, which may be through the use of a performance solution.
