15 January 2021 / New Toolbox Tile

Construction Dictionary

Hutchies has added a new Toolbox tile for the National Dictionary of Building and Plumbing Terms.

This online resource is powered by the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) and Standards Australia.

You'll find this new tool on Hutchies' Toolbox home page under 'Information & Resources'.

The New Tile

What it is

The National Dictionary of Building and Plumbing Terms combines terms and definitions from:

  • NCC

    The National Construction Code (NCC) 2019 Amendment 1
    © The Commonwealth of Australia and the States and Territories

  • Standards

    Australian Standards (AS) referenced in the NCC
    © Standards Australia Limited

  • Standards

    Australian / New Zealand Standards (AS/NZS) referenced in the NCC
    © Standards Australia Limited/the Crown in right of New Zealand, administered by the New Zealand Standards Executive

  • HB50

    Handbook 50:2004 Glossary of Building Terms (HB50)
    © Property Council of Australia Limited

These sources are not exhaustive in the building and construction industry in Australia.

In all cases, please refer to the original sources of the relevant definitions. The National Dictionary is in no way a substitute for the NCC, AS Standards, AS/NZS Standards or State and Territory legislation.

The definitions for terms in these publications are often different. This website aims to:

  • help industry find the right definition
  • highlight consistency and conflicts
  • provide a general hierarchy of results to assist interpretation

To know more about the NCC please visit Australian Building Codes Board. To know more about the related standards please visit Standards Australia.

Hierarchy of definitions

In general, the following order of precedence applies when viewing terms and definitions:

NCC Standards HB50

However, users should make their own decision as to which term or definition is relevant or applicable to their specific circumstances. This website is for general information only and is not intended to provide or substitute professional advice on the subject matter.

How you can access it

This resource is:

  • Free
  • Available via your web browser on any device
  • Accessible via Hutchies' Toolbox 24x7
Open Dictionary

Other Recent Activities

View all activities
9 April / Meetings
All Company Update / April 2025

Thanks for participating in Hutchies' All Company Update.

A copy of the presentation slides is available to download below.

View More
31 March / Update
Work Health and Safety Management Plan / Version 16

All construction projects over $250K need a site-specific WHS Management Plan to ensure processes are in place to reduce health and safety risks.

The WHS Management Plan has been updated to align with Safe Work Australia's Model Code of Practice: Construction work.

The language has been refined to be clearer about the legal and other requirements that must be followed on site.

Actions

Projects with more than 3 months left must update the WHSMP and appendices by 30 April 2025.

Projects with less than 3 months should review the amendment register and make any relevant updates to the current plan.

Team HSE Managers

  • Coordinate the update of the plan and all appendix documents in consultation with the project team
  • Ensure proper archiving of superseded plans (2 years following project completion)

Project Manager

  • Ensure plans are updated within the 3 month period and approved for use

Project Teams

  • Update the WHS Management Plan with the Team HSE Manager
  • Communicate the update to subcontractors 
  • Maintain updated hard copy of WHS Management Plan on site 

Team Leaders 

  • Where the team does not have a Team HSE Manager, the Team Leader is required to oversee this process and all updates

Further updates

The following guidance material has also been updated. A full list of amendments can be found here.

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