Important updates to sanitary facility provision have now been released!
Written by: Cathryn Grant – Access Leader for Victoria
The National Construction Code (NCC) 2025, Volume One has now been released, introducing important updates to the provision of sanitary facilities in Class 3–9 buildings. Currently Victoria, Western Australia and Australian Capital Territory have adopted this version of the standard. Other states and territories are expected to adopt NCC 2025 during 2027.
These changes have implications for architects, project managers, education providers, healthcare facilities, community buildings and commercial developments. Early consideration during planning and design can help avoid redesign costs, improve user experience and ensure compliance with the latest NCC requirements.
One of the most significant changes is the broader allowance for all‑gender toilets. Where a building is required to provide one male and one female toilet, these may now both be provided as all‑gender facilities — meaning no gendered toilets are required in this scenario.
For buildings requiring four or more pans or urinals, up to half of both the male and female fixtures can now be designated as all‑gender. These all‑gender compartments must include a toilet pan, washbasin and sanitary disposal unit, removing the shared-gender basin area and improving comfort and privacy.
Cathryn Grant, Architecture & Access Leader for Victoria says,
“Overall, we view these changes as a positive step, though there remains room for improvement. Minimum internal dimensions, a shelf, a hook and a mirror are not included in the proposed NCC All Gender Toilet update, however many people would benefit from these fittings including people who need to administer pain medication, change dressings or an ileostomy bag”.
Signage Requirements
The NCC now requires all‑gender facilities to be clearly labelled with the wording “all gender”. While this provides consistency, further clarity could have been achieved by specifying a simple toilet symbol, avoiding the use of alternative/varied pictograms representing gender diverse use.
Sanitary Products
Two major additions improve inclusivity:
- Sanitary product dispensing machines must now be installed in all facilities used by females, including all-gender toilets.
- Sanitary disposal units are now required in all sanitary facilities – male, female, and all-gender – recognising that people across all facility types may need access to them for disposal of menstrual products or continence products.
Looking Ahead
Architecture & Access welcomes these advancements as they reflect broader societal changes and recognise the diverse needs of building users.
While the NCC 2025 changes represent a significant step forward, they may also prompt broader discussions around the future of inclusive sanitary facility design. Questions remain regarding accommodation for parents, nursing mothers, people with disability beyond minimum compliance requirements, faith-based ablution needs and neurodiverse users, and people accompanied by assistance animals.
Summary of Key Changes – NCC 2025
- All‑gender toilets permitted and must include a pan, washbasin and sanitary disposal unit.
- “All gender” signage required on all‑gender facilities.
- Sanitary product dispensing machines required in all‑gender and female facilities.
- Sanitary disposal units required in every sanitary facility
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