It can be a time-consuming and often complex space to play in. After all, not everyone has a hydraulic engineer to explain new plumbing standards coming into effect or what that means for designing safe, compliant, and complete water solutions.
Additionally, architectural practices whose government clients demand long-term, sustainable solutions for healthcare facilities and aged care developments face more significant challenges in ensuring their specifications remain compliant.
Preparing for change and planning for the future
Some School Building Authorities already have strict requirements for lead-safe products
One National Construction Code amendment Galvin Engineering has been preparing for since 2017 is a sweeping reform to plumbing that will impact every new commercial build project in Australia. From 1 September 2025, plumbing products that do not conform to lead-free requirements amendment to the 2022 edition of the National Construction Code will no longer have valid certification and will not be authorized for use in contact with drinking water.
While 2025 sounds like a long time away, industry impacts will become apparent much sooner as suppliers deplete current stock as early as next year. Indeed, some School Building Authorities already have strict requirements for lead-safe products in anticipation of the new national standard.
Amendments
The amendment to the National Construction Code Volume Three – Plumbing Code of Australia, lead-free provisions was made in response to a decision by the Australian Building Codes Board to limit the allowable lead content in plumbing products, which contain copper alloys and are intended for use in contact with drinking water.
New standards limit the weighted average lead content to less than 0.25%. That means from 1 September 2025, clause A5G4(2) of the NCC Volume Three will take effect. From then, only products WaterMark certified as conforming to the lead-free provisions, where required, will be authorized for new plumbing installations.
