Building Classifications Explained: Class 1 to Class 10

Class 1 covers certain residential buildings.

• Class 1a: Detached houses and attached dwellings, such as townhouses and terrace houses, where the relevant criteria are met.
• Class 1b: Certain small boarding houses, guest houses, hostels and groups of short-term holiday accommodation dwellings that meet the NCC’s specified conditions.

The distinction between Class 1a and Class 1b depends on the building’s arrangement, use and applicable classification criteria.

Class 2 generally covers buildings containing two or more sole-occupancy units, such as apartments, where people live independently of one another.

Apartment developments often include shared corridors, lobbies and other common areas. Their classification influences the applicable requirements for matters such as fire safety, access, egress and building services.

Class 3 covers residential buildings providing long-term or transient accommodation to unrelated people. Examples can include larger boarding houses, hostels, backpacker accommodation, dormitories and certain residential accommodation facilities.

The distinction between Class 1b and Class 3 depends on the applicable criteria, including the building’s size, capacity and arrangement.

Class 4 applies to a sole dwelling within a building of another classification, typically Class 5 to Class 9.

For example, a caretaker’s residence within a commercial or storage building may be classified as Class 4. This classification applies to the residential part rather than automatically changing the classification of the entire building.

Class 5 covers office buildings used for professional or commercial purposes, such as offices occupied by businesses and professional service providers.

Office fit-outs and refurbishments may involve changes to internal layouts, access provisions, exits and amenities. The applicable requirements depend on the building and the proposed work.

Class 6 generally covers buildings used for retail or service activities involving the supply of goods or services directly to the public.

Examples include shops, restaurants, cafés, hairdressers and certain retail tenancies. Where a development combines retail areas with offices or residential accommodation, different parts may require separate classifications.

Class 7 is divided into two sub-classifications:

• Class 7a: Car parks.
• Class 7b: Buildings used primarily for storage, or for the display of goods or produce for wholesale.

A warehouse may fall under Class 7b, while a building used for vehicle parking may fall under Class 7a. The actual use and applicable NCC definitions must be considered before assigning a classification.

Class 8 generally covers buildings used for processes such as manufacturing, assembling, altering, repairing, packing, finishing or cleaning goods and produce.

Factories, workshops and certain industrial facilities may fall into this class. The activities carried out within the building are important when determining the correct classification.

Class 9 covers buildings used for public or institutional purposes and has three sub-classifications.

• Class 9a: Healthcare buildings, including hospitals and other facilities used for medical treatment as defined by the NCC.
• Class 9b: Assembly buildings, such as schools, universities, theatres, cinemas, places of worship and certain public gathering venues.
• Class 9c: Residential aged care buildings.

These sub-classifications are particularly important because occupant needs, evacuation arrangements, accessibility and building safety requirements can differ significantly between healthcare, assembly and aged care environments.

For example, a school generally falls under Class 9b, while a residential aged care facility may fall under Class 9c. The applicable classification must be determined from the actual use and relevant NCC definitions.

Class 10 covers non-habitable buildings and certain structures.

• Class 10a: Non-habitable buildings, such as private garages, carports and sheds.
• Class 10b: Structures such as fences, masts, antennae and certain retaining walls.
• Class 10c: Private bushfire shelters.

The requirements applicable to a Class 10 structure depend on its type, location and relationship with other buildings.