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2010 BCA

The Building Code of Australia (BCA) sets out the minimum standards for the construction of building in Australia.

It is important to use the most up to date version of the BCA to ensure you are complying with current building standards. The BCA should be used in conjunction with relevant State legislation.

Use these links to learn more:

Purchase the BCA 2010
A summary of changes to the energy efficiency provisions in the BCA 2010
The Australian Building Codes Board - Who are they and what do they do?
Links to State and Territory regulations about building

Australian Standards

What are Australian Standards?
Purchase or search for Australian Standards
Timber Framing Code AS 1684 was updated in June 2010. The new standard provides "important information on building practice procedures to determine timber members, bracing and fixing requirements used in timber-framed buildings".

Revisions in the Standard include:

Changes to the role, function and need for wall noggings
Incorporation of generic building practices for engineered wood products;
Simplification and more efficient tie-down systems for high wind areas, including cyclonic areas; and
The incorporation of new structural design characteristic values for stress grades MGP 10, MGP 12 and MGP 15 via minor revisions to the relevant span tables.

This information was obtained from the July newsletter. Read more
Keep up to date with changes to Australian Standards by subscribing to their newsletter

State & Territory Building Regulations

Each State and Territory has its own set of building regulations. These regulations must be used in conjunction with the Building Code of Australia (BCA)

Coming soon:

Links to all of the State and Territory regulations
Articles and fact sheets about the regulations

Sustainable Building

Sustainable building, or green building involves the use of design, construction methods and building materials that use resources efficiently and that minimise negative impacts on health and the environment.

BCA 2010 - A summary of changes to the energy efficiency provisions
What is 6 Star Housing?
EcoSpecifier - the easiest way to source Green Products
How can high performance windows help you build 6 star houses?
Get down to BASIX - An overview of the NSW Building Sustainability Index

It is an interactive assessment tool that is used to measure if new homes meet prescribed energy efficiency targets in NSW
Are wood and timber products an environmentally friendly option?
Thermal Mass Fact Sheet
Links to State and Territory regulations related to sustainable building
Directory of eco friendly building products

Knowing where underground networks are buried before digging helps to protect you from injury, expense and criminal prosecution.

Using Dial Before You Dig is Easy - visit their website or call 1100 before you excavate. It is a FREE service.
Guidelines for reducing your risk hitting underground assets and reducing your liability in the case of accidental damage
Dial Before You Dig is the law in NSW - Guidelines for understanding your obligations
Videos and related links

Technical Guides and Discussions

What is Low E Glass?

The benefits of solar?

Hate math?
Do your calculations the easy way with these online calculators for builders

Stairs
An article about stair specification and installation

High-rise windows the easy way
An article about window specification in high-rise construction

Timber Decks
Tips for reducing costly call backs

Plywood Box Beams
Span tables make it easy for you to produce your own structural beams on-site

Building Materials

This section is under development. If you have any recommendations or product reviews, please contact us.

Building Products

This section is on its way. If you have any recommendations or product reviews, please contact us.

Tools & Equipment

This section is devoted to tools and equipment we love.

Stiletto Hammers

Coming soon:

an online shop & discounts
safety plans for common tools & equipment
product reviews
links to product information & freebies

Do you have any suggestions? Would you like us write reviews for us? What products would you like us to review?

Email Us

Building Associations, Unions & Professional Bodies

Employer Associations

Employer Associations are organisations developed to provide industry specific support and advice to members. They often help negotiate awards and consult with government and other regulatory bodies on behalf of their members.

Associations related to the Australian building industry include:

Housing Industry Association (HIA)
Master Builders Association (MBA)
National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC)
Building Designers Association of Australia (BDAA)
Australian Institute of Architects
Swimming Pools and Spas Association (SPASA)

Each Association has State and Territory Chapters (divisions). Look out for the Chapter related to you in the main menu of each site.

Unions

Unions are organisations set up to support employees at work. Their primary purpose is to ensure that workers are safe and treated fairly. They actively work to advance the wages and working conditions of their members. Other services include educating members and the community about workplace rights and responsibilities and representing members in disputes with employers and investigating breaches of workplace safety and workplace relations (working conditions including pay, holidays, hours etc.).

There are more than 50 unions in Australia. The CFMEU is the union that represents the construction industry

The Australian Council for Trade Unions (ACTU) is the peak body for unions.

The ACTU has developed a website for students and teachers called Worksite. It is full of great resources and easy to read information about workplace rights.

Professional Bodies and Networks

Australian Institute of Building

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