Livable Housing
Comply with NCC and LHA Livable Housing requirements
Livable Housing
Comply with NCC and LHA Livable Housing requirements
We provide both Livable Housing Australia (LHA) certification services and assessments under the NCC Livable Housing Design (LHD) Standards. This allows us to support projects seeking voluntary LHA Silver/Gold/Platinum certification as well as developments that would like to demonstrate compliance with the NCC requirements.
NCC Livable Housing Design (LHD) Standard
The NCC Livable Housing Design (LHD) Standard, developed by the australian Building Codes Board (ABCB), applies to all new Class 1a and Class 2 buildings from 1 October 2023 in most Australian states and territories.
To support industry practitioners in understanding and applying the new provisions, the ABCB has released two non mandatory guidance documents:
- ABCB Handbook for Livable Housing Design - a detailed explanatory resource containing diagrams, examples, and guidance to support correct application of the LHDS.
- ABCB Voluntary Standard for Livable Housing Design: Beyond Minimum - a best practice technical standard adapted from the Gold level of the Livable Housing Design Guidelines, offering design solutions that exceed the minimum NCC requirements.
Livable Housing Australia (LHA) Design Guidelines
The Livable Housing Australia (LHA) Design Guidelines were developed by Livable Housing Australia which was a partnership between industry, community and consumer groups and governments.
Even though LHA no longer exists, residential developments can be certified to Silver, Gold or Platinum level - each representing an increasing degree of accessibility, usability, and future adaptability in residential design.
They are voluntary standards used widely across Australia prior to the introduction of the NCC Livable Housing Design Standard.
LHA Silver and Platinum level assessments are still being used for existing NDIS SDA (Specialist Disability Accommodation) projects.
LHA Silver requires compliance with 7 design elements, Gold with 12 and Platinum with all 15.
Learn more about LHA Silver level
Element 1 - Dwelling Access
Access required from a 3.2M wide parking space allocated to the dwelling or via a 1M wide walkway or ramp from the site
boundary to the entry door
Element 2 - Dwelling entrance
Access required from a 820mm clear opening door, with roof over and a maximum 56mm high doorway threshold ramp.
1200mmx1200mm landing space required outside the entry door
Element 3 - Internal doors and corridors
820mm clear opening doors with level door thresholds and minimum 1M clear passageways
Element 4 - Toilet
Circulation space of 900mm wide x 1200mm forward of the toilet pan located in a corner of the room on entry level without any door swings within the space
Element 5 - Shower
Slip resistant and hobless shower in a corner of the room
Element 6 - Reinforcement of bathroom and toilet walls
12mm sheeting or 25mm noggings (600mm forward of the toilet pan) to be provided to walls of a toilet, shower and bath tub
Element 7 - Internal Stairway
A continuous handrail to any one side where there is a rise of more than 1M
Learn more about LHA Gold level
Element 1 - Dwelling Access
Access required from a 3.2M wide covered parking space with 2.5M clear head height allocated to the dwelling or via a
1.1M wide walkway or ramp from the site boundary to the entry door
Element 2 - Dwelling entrance
Access required from a 850mm clear opening door, with roof over and a maximum 56mm high doorway threshold ramp.
1350mmx1350mm landing space required outside the entry door
Element 3 - Internal doors and corridors
850mm clear opening doors with level door thresholds and minimum 1200mm clear passageways
Element 4 - Toilet
Circulation space of 1200mm wide x 1200mm forward of the toilet pan located in a corner of the room on entry level without
any door swings within the space
Element 5 - Shower
Slip resistant and hobless 900mm x 900mm shower in a corner of the room with 1200mm x1200mm circulation in front of the
shower
Element 6 - Reinforcement of bathroom and toilet walls
12mm sheeting or 25mm noggings (600mm forward of the toilet pan) to be provided to walls of a toilet, shower and bath tub
Element 7 - Internal Stairway
A continuous handrail to any one side where there is a rise of more than 1M. Stairway to be straight with minimum 1M clear
width
Element 8 - Kitchen space
1200mm clearance required in front of the benchtops with slip resistant flooring and the floor finishes to extend under cabinetry
Element 9 - Laundry space
1200mm clearance required in front of the benchtops with slip resistant flooring and the floor finishes to extend under cabinetry
Element 10 - Ground (or entry level) bedroom space Area of 10 sq.m. excluding any robes and minimum 1M path of travel on any one side of the bed
Element 11 - Switches and power points
Light switches to be between 900-1100mm from FFL and power points not lower than 300mm from FFL
Element 12 - Door hardware
Door hardware to be installed between 900-1100mm from FFL
Learn more about LHA Platinum level
Element 1 - Dwelling Access
Access required from a 3.8M wide x 6M length covered parking space with 2.5M clear head height allocated to the dwelling or via a 1.2M wide walkway or ramp from the site boundary to the entry door
Element 2 - Dwelling entrance
Access required from a 900mm clear opening door, with roof over and a maximum 56mm high doorway threshold ramp.
1500mmx1500mm landing space required outside the entry door
Element 3 - Internal doors and corridors
900mm clear opening doors with level door thresholds and minimum 1200mm clear passageways
Element 4 - Toilet
Circulation space of 1200mm wide x 1200mm forward of the toilet pan located in a corner of the room on entry level without any door swings within the space. Accessible toilet pan required with toilet 450-460 from side wall
Element 5 - Shower
Slip resistant and hobless 1160mm wide x 1100 length shower in a corner of the room with 1600mm width x 1400 mm length circulation in front of the shower
Element 6 - Reinforcement of bathroom and toilet walls
12mm sheeting or 25mm noggings (600mm forward of the toilet pan) to be provided to walls of a toilet, shower and bath tub
Element 7 - Internal Stairway
A continuous handrail to both sides where there is a rise of more than 1M. Stairway to be straight with minimum 1M clear width, closed risers and minimum 1200mm x 1200mm top and bottom landings
Element 8 - Kitchen space
1550mm clearance required in front of the benchtops with slip resistant flooring and the floor finishes to extend under cabinetry and task lighting over workspaces
Element 9 - Laundry space
1550mm clearance required in front of the benchtops with slip resistant flooring and the floor finishes to extend under cabinetry
Element 10 - Ground (or entry level) bedroom space
4050mm x 3030mm area bedroom where queen bed is provided
Element 11 - Switches and power points
Light switches to be between 900-1100mm from FFL and power points not lower than 300mm from FFL. Light and power points to be 35mm wide switches
Element 12 - Door and tap hardware
Door hardware to be installed between 900-1100mm from FFL with D pull handles.
Basins, sinks and tubs to have lever or capstan style tap with central spout
Element 13 - Family and Living room space
Minimum 2250mm diameter space required clear of furniture
Element 14 - Window Sills
Entry level windows to living and bedrooms to be maximum 1M from FFL, with window controls in an accessible location
Element 15 - FLooring
Firm, even and slip resistant flooring to be provided with level transition between abutting surfaces with maximum 5mm tolerance if lip is rounded or bevelled
