This page covers the topic of building in bushfire prone areas in the context of outdoor living in Australia.

For more on related topics, see the FAQ, the What we cover page, or browse the venues section for regional notes.

More context

Practical notes for AKP Images readers — building in bushfire-prone areas. Write original copy for AKP Images, an independent, picture-led outdoor-living journal for Sydney and Australia (not a builder, franchise, installer or supplier, quotes and sells nothing, not affiliated with any carport, pergola or outdoor-structures company). Do not present the site as the organisation that used this domain before (an Australian carport and pergola franchise ()); do not invent dates, prices, names, credentials or awards. Reach us via the contact page.

Bushfire Attack Levels and What They Mean for Outdoor Structures

In Australia, building in a bushfire-prone area usually starts with a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) assessment. The BAL rates how much ember attack, radiant heat and direct flame a site could face. It depends on the type of nearby vegetation, the distance to it and the slope of the land. The ratings run from BAL-LOW through BAL-12.5, BAL-19, BAL-29 and BAL-40 to BAL-FZ, the flame zone. Australian Standard AS 3959 then sets construction requirements for each level. In New South Wales, planning for bushfire protection guidelines also apply, and the local council or the NSW Rural Fire Service may need to be involved before approval.

Why decks, pergolas and carports matter

Outdoor structures attached to a house are often where fire first reaches a building. Embers collect in gaps between deck boards, in gutters, against timber posts and in the leaf litter that builds up under raised decks. A pergola or verandah fixed to the house can carry fire to the walls and eaves. For this reason, the higher BAL ratings often bring stricter rules for:

  • Materials. Non-combustible options such as steel framing, metal roofing and fibre-cement are commonly specified. So are certain bushfire-resisting or fire-retardant-treated timbers.
  • Spacing and enclosure. Decking gaps, enclosing the subfloor and ember-proof mesh may all be required.
  • Glazing and screens. Toughened glass and metal mesh screens may apply where an outdoor room is enclosed.
  • Separation. A freestanding structure set well back from the house can sometimes be treated differently from an attached one.

Practical steps before you plan

  1. Check whether your property is mapped as bushfire prone. Councils publish bushfire prone land maps.
  2. Get a BAL assessment from a suitably qualified consultant if your project needs approval.
  3. Ask your council whether the structure is exempt development, complying development or needs a full application. Bushfire-prone land often removes exemptions that apply elsewhere.
  4. Plan for maintenance. Clear gutters, keep the area under decks free of leaves and stored items, and don't stack firewood against posts.

Rules differ between states and change over time, so treat this as general background only. Confirm the details with your council, your state fire service and a qualified building professional. For common approval questions, see the FAQ. You can also browse the gallery for examples of steel-framed and metal-roofed structures.