Improved accessibility and 7-star energy efficiency standards expected for new homes

Efficiency standards and increased accessibility for Australian housing are under discussion at meeting of building ministers in Sydney

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Step-free access and corridors wide enough to fit wheelchairs are expected to be among the minimum mandatory standards state and territory building ministers will agree to for new homes at a meeting on Friday in Sydney.

Hosted by the federal government, the ministers will be discussing the first upgrade in the minimum energy performance of new homes since 2010, with the 6-star standard expected to be lifted to 7 stars. Each jurisdiction will set its own timetable for implementing any revisions to the national construction code.

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