•        Home building is subject to many rules and regulations including some which deal with management of termites.

•        The national code is called the Building Code of Australia (BCA).  It is published by the Australian Building Codes Board.  Its members include representatives of all state governments, building research experts and industry representatives.

•        The BCA stipulates that where a home is subject to termite attack, as determined by the Building Authority, it must be constructed with:

•        A termite management system complying with AS3660, or

•        All its primary building elements made from termite-resistant materials.

•        Each state has agreed to apply the BCA by legislation, but some of the BCA provisions differ between states to suit specific local conditions or technical opinion - these are called "state variations".

•        For example, the definition of "structural member" in Queensland includes some secondary building components.

•        Each state can also change the way it applies the BCA provisions, or impose its own additional requirements.

•        For example, in NSW the Office of Fair Trading insists that builders install termite barriers in all construction, even if the structure complies with BCA requirements without those barriers.

•        Whether BCA or state regulations prevail varies from state to state.

•        For example, state regulations prevail in NSW but the BCA prevails in Victoria and Queensland.

•        Local councils manage the process of approving your building plans and specifications.  They may also have their own local rules which they should explain and justify if requested.

•        Just because there are rules doesn't mean you can't ask questions and get satisfactory answers and assurances.  It's your money, so don't spend more to get less!