17/09/2026
Queensland Housing Updates – What’s Changing?
There are some significant changes proposed for Queensland housing standards, with the new Queensland Housing Code (QHC) currently proposed for adoption from 1 September 2026, followed by a three-year transition period for Local Governments.
Some key changes proposed under QDC MP4.1 & MP4.5 include:
Raised floor homes – 6-star NatHERS requirement, with potential OLA credits reducing this to 5.5 or 5 stars.
Small homes (≤50m²) – 5-star NatHERS requirement, with OLA credits potentially reducing this to 4.5 or 4 stars.
Floor area definitions – verandahs, roofed terraces, patios, garages and carports are excluded from gross floor area, which is particularly important when determining whether a home qualifies as a small home.
Outdoor Living Areas – updated requirements may capture areas such as some sunroom-style spaces.
Liveable housing – proposed changes include extended narrow-lot exemptions, threshold ramps without a performance solution, additional options for step-free access and reduced wall reinforcement requirements behind WCs.
The proposed Queensland Housing Code represents a significant modernisation of Queensland’s housing siting framework and is one to keep an eye on as the changes progress.
Important: The timing and adoption status of some provisions should be confirmed before relying on them for current projects.
For the latest information, visit the Queensland Development Code website.
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