BAL guides and state pages
Short guides to the Bushfire Attack Level, written in plain language.
Start here
- What is a BAL rating?: A plain-language introduction to the Bushfire Attack Level.
- BAL levels explained: BAL-LOW to BAL-FZ: The six Bushfire Attack Levels, from BAL-LOW to BAL-FZ, and what each one means for a building.
- How a BAL is worked out (AS 3959 Method 1): The four things Method 1 uses: vegetation class, distance, slope and the fire danger index.
- How to lower your BAL rating: Why distance and slope are what a site plan can change, with a worked example of moving the building.
- How to find your BAL rating in Australia: What goes into a BAL, a quick indicative answer in three steps, and who provides a formal assessment.
The six BAL levels
- BAL-LOW: the lowest Bushfire Attack Level: The lowest Bushfire Attack Level: what puts a site there, and whether bushfire construction still applies.
- BAL-12.5: meaning and requirements: Ember attack and radiant heat up to 12.5 kW/m², and the main requirements in plain English.
- BAL-19: meaning and requirements: Close to BAL-12.5, with stricter rules for glazing and materials near the ground.
- BAL-29: meaning and construction requirements: Where costs climb: toughened glass, fire-resistant frames, decks and cladding.
- BAL-40: meaning and construction requirements: Intense radiant heat and possible flame contact, and the tested systems it calls for.
- BAL-FZ (Flame Zone): the highest BAL rating: The Flame Zone, the highest BAL rating: what it means and where states restrict it.
Assessments, maps, the standard and materials
- BAL assessment: what it is, who does it and what it costs: What a formal BAL assessment involves, who does one in each state and what it costs.
- AS 3959 explained: the standard for building in bushfire-prone areas: The Australian Standard for building in bushfire-prone areas: what it covers, the NCC and where to get it.
- BAL rating map: what exists and how to find your BAL: Why there's no official BAL map, and how to check bushfire prone area maps in each state.
- Bushfire overlay: what the BMO means for your property: Victoria's Bushfire Management Overlay: checking your property and what it means for your BAL.
- BAL building materials: decking, windows, doors and cladding: Decking, windows, doors, shutters and cladding at each level, and how to check a product.
By state and territory
- BAL calculator and BAL levels by state and territory: How BAL Buddy handles each state and territory, from the NT to Tasmania.
The state and territory guides: NT, ACT, VIC, NSW, QLD, WA, SA, TAS.
BAL Buddy gives an indicative Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) only. It isn't a determination under any Act, and no council or building surveyor has to accept it. For a BAL you can rely on, use an accredited bushfire practitioner.