Building Classes of the BCA

The Building Code of Australia (BCA) is produced and maintained by the ABCB on behalf of the Australian Government and each state territory. The BCA is an essential document to ensure compliance with the building law. All builders should have access to or obtain a copy of the code. A building may be made up of a number of different building classes if it has a mixed use.

The Building Code of Australia consists of two volumes.

Volume 1 – Commercial Buildings and Volume 2 – Residential Buildings

Volume 1 (Classes 2 to 9) contains the requirements for all Class 2 to 9 Buildings, access requirements for people with a disability in Class 1b and 10a buildings and certain Class 10b structures including access for people with a disability in Class 10b swimming pools.

Volume 2 (Classes 1 and 10) (Also known as Housing Provisions) contains the requirements for Class 1 and 10a Buildings (other than access requirements for people with a disability in Class 1b and 10a Buildings), certain class 10b structures (other than access requirements for people with a disability in 10b swimming pools) and Class 10c Private Bushfire Shelters.

Below are Classes 1 through to 10 which are identified in the Building Code of Australia.

Class 1a) A single dwelling or attached dwellings, each being a building with a fire-resisting wall in-between, including a row house, terrace house, town house or villa unit.

Class 1b) One or more buildings that constitute a boarding house, guest house, hostel of a small scale (i.e. not exceeding 12 persons or 300m² in floor area)

Class 2) A building containing two or more dwelling units (e.g. Flats, apartments)

Class 3) A residential building for a number of persons such as a large scaled boarding house, guest house, hostel, the residential part of a motel or school.

Class 4) A dwelling that is part of a commercial use (e.g. care takers/managers flat)

Class 5) An office building used for professional or commercial purposes, excluding buildings of class 6, 7, 8 or 9.

Class 6) A shop or other building where goods or services are retailed directly to the public.

Class 7a) A building which is a car park

Class 7b) A building which is for storage or display of goods or produce for sale by wholesale.

Class 8) A laboratory or a building where a process takes place (e.g. factory, workshop etc.)

Class 9a) A healthcare building (e.g. a hospital, clinic etc.)

Class 9b) An assembly building being a private garage or shed etc.)

Class 9c) An aged care building.

Class 10a) A non-habitable building being a private garage, carport or a shed.

Class 10b) A structure (fence, mast, antenna, retaining or free-standing wall or a swimming pool.

Class 10c) A private bushfire shelter.

Due to constantly evolving legislation the information provided within this blog may no longer be valid. The advice given on this site is general in nature and does not take into account your specific circumstances. Please email one of our building surveyors to check what is right for you.