Minimum thermal performance for new homes from 2023-24. Insulation, glazing, orientation and sealing.

Typical fix: whole-house double glazing (3-bed), $16,000 – $38,000

Mandatory in new builds since the 1990s; most pre-1990 walls are empty.

Required on all final sub-circuits in new work and in rentals in both states.

Typical fix: switchboard upgrade with safety switches, $1,200 – $3,000

Rubber and cloth wiring perishes; two-wire lighting circuits have no earth.

Typical fix: full rewire (3-bed, accessible roof), $8,000 – $16,000

Photoelectric, interconnected, in every bedroom corridor and level.

Typical fix: hardwired interconnected smoke alarm, $150 – $350

Banned since 31 Dec 2003. Legal to keep if intact, but disclosure and removal rules apply when you touch it.

Typical fix: asbestos eave removal and replacement, $3,500 – $8,000

Paint contained up to 50% lead until 1965 and 1% until 1997.

Typical fix: internal repaint (3-bed, walls, ceilings, trims), $6,000 – $13,000

Membrane under tiles, certified, with proper falls to waste.

Typical fix: leaking shower fix (strip, waterproof, retile base), $2,500 – $6,500

AS 1288 requires toughened or laminated glass in human-impact zones.

Typical fix: replace a window (aluminium, standard size), $850 – $2,200

Decks, balconies and stairs. Older homes have 900mm rails and wide gaps.

Typical fix: timber or composite deck, $280 – $550

Steep 1950s-70s stairs and open risers often fail current geometry rules.

Self-closing gates, 1.2m barrier, non-climbable zone. Inspected on sale or lease in SA.

Typical fix: pool fence compliance upgrade, $2,500 – $7,500

Mandatory for new homes in most states from 2023-24 (not SA at the time of writing).

Typical fix: front door replacement (solid timber or steel, hung), $1,500 – $4,500

Fire risk; phased out by lighting standards from 2020.

Banned for supply and installation because of silicosis. Existing benchtops are legal to keep, not to cut.

Required for new homes in SA and (via 6-star) most of Victoria since the 2000s.

Typical fix: rainwater tank (3,000-5,000l) with pump, $2,200 – $4,500