The building compliance assessment (BCA) report combines a site inspection with written findings on how a building compares with the code. We prepare them for homes and for Class 10 structures like carports, decks, garages and pools. This guide explains what goes into one, and where its limits sit.
What BCA stands for
The Building Code of Australia (BCA) is the building part of the National Construction Code (NCC). For houses and Class 10 structures, the key documents are NCC Volume Two and its companion document, the ABCB Housing Provisions, which set out ways to meet the code for structure, fire safety, wet areas, stairs and more.
Today NSW applies NCC 2022 (Amendment 2). The state plans to move to NCC 2025 from 1 May 2027. A report states which edition it assesses against, because the answer can differ depending on when the building was built and the reason for the report.
What the inspection looks at
The scope is agreed before the inspection, so the report covers what you actually need. For a home or Class 10 structure, it often includes:
- Fire safety. Smoke alarms, and fire separation for walls near a boundary or near a second building on the lot.
- Stairs, balustrades and handrails. Heights, openings and anything a child could climb.
- Wet areas. Visible signs of how bathrooms and laundries were waterproofed, and whether there are signs of failure.
- Room heights, light and ventilation. Whether habitable rooms meet the code's basic amenity requirements.
- Visible structure. Obvious signs of cracking, movement or undersized members, noting where an engineer's opinion is needed.
- Glazing. Whether glass in areas where people could fall against it looks like safety glass.
- Swimming pool barriers. Fences and gates against AS 1926.1 and NSW pool safety law (Swimming Pools Act 1992).
- Bushfire construction. Where the site is bush fire prone land, whether the building reflects AS 3959.
What the written report contains
A typical report sets out:
- the purpose of the report and the agreed scope
- a short building description, plus the documents reviewed, such as old plans or approvals
- findings for each item, grouped as complying, not complying, or unable to be confirmed
- the code provisions each finding relates to
- suggested next steps, such as repairs or specialist reports
- the limits of the inspection, including areas that could not be seen
What a report is not
A BCA report is advice only. It approves nothing and cannot stand in for a CDC, construction certificate or occupation certificate. Unapproved work stays unapproved. It is also not a pre-purchase pest and building inspection, although some findings may overlap.
Because the inspection is visual, it cannot confirm what is hidden inside walls, under slabs or behind tiles. Where that matters, the report says so and suggests how to get the information, for example through an engineer or a licensed plumber.
Who we prepare reports for
We report on Class 1 homes and Class 10 structures only. Apartments, shops, offices and factories fall outside our registration, so those need a certifier holding the matching registration.
Our BCA compliance reports page explains how we scope and prepare a report. If your report is for a council application, see how we can help with a building information certificate. To discuss a report, request a quote.
Local help across NSW
CertifiBuild certifies Class 1 and Class 10 work in 39 council areas. Local rules on these council pages are a good place to start: Wollongong City Council, Randwick City Council, Burwood Council, Camden Council, Woollahra Municipal Council, City of Canada Bay.
Suburb pages with local planning notes: Cleveland, Coogee, Croydon Park, Currans Hill, Darling Point, Double Bay, Drummoyne, East Killara, East Lindfield, Eastwood. You can also browse every service area.
Sources
- Housing Provisions Section 9 on fire safety, ABCB (NCC 2022)
- NSW to adopt new National Construction Code in May 2027, NSW Government