The Building Code of Australia (BCA) is produced and maintained by the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) on behalf of the Australian Government and State and Territory Governments. The BCA has been given the status of building regulations by all States and Territories.

The goal of the BCA is to enable the achievement of nationally consistent, minimum necessary standards of relevant, health, safety (including structural safety and safety from fire), amenity and sustainability objectives efficiently.

The Building Code of Australia (BCA) defines buildings in 10 Building Classes. Sheds generally fall into class 6,7,8,9 & 10a depending on their intended use.

Class 1 buildings are dwellings. Appreciable changes are required to a standard class10a (non-habitable) shed to allow it to comply with the BCA as a Class 1 structure.

Class 10 a (non-habitable) sheds should not be supplied or deemed suitable for use as a habitable dwelling.

The Building Code of Australia assigns four different building importance levels for structures. The assigned Importance level is consistent with the consequences of building failure and the risk to human life (or property) Level 1 is the lowest and level 4 the highest.

• Level 1 - Buildings or structures presenting a low degree of hazard to life and other property in the case of failure – example isolated farm sheds
• Level 2 - Buildings or structures not included in importance levels 1, 3 or 4 – example garages, industrial buildings, and school shelters with less than 250 students.
• Level 3 - Buildings or structures that are designed to contain a large number of people – example School shelters with more than 250 students
• Level 4 - Buildings or structures that are essential to post-disaster recovery or associated with hazardous facilities – example CFA fire sheds

A building that does not comply with the BCA poses an increased risk of failure and a potential threat to community safety.

Bundy Sheds and Garage World can provide assistance in determining the correct importance level and building specification for your shed. The building specification should be confirmed (preferably by a site evaluation) by a licensed builder, building certifier or other appropriately qualified person.