What are the rules for fireplaces in Australia?

Short answer: there is no single national rulebook. A wood heater in the home is installed to AS/NZS 2918:2018, which sets the flue height; NSW councils must approve the installation first; every outdoor fire has to burn approved fuel and stay unlit on a total fire ban day. Building an outdoor fireplace adds a council question of its own.

The rules stack up in four layers: the installation standard, who may do the work, council approval and the fire and smoke rules that apply every time a fire is lit. This guide takes them in that order, then shows where the outdoor fireplace kits we sell fit.

What does AS/NZS 2918 require?

AS/NZS 2918:2018 is the Australian and New Zealand standard for installing domestic solid fuel burning appliances such as wood heaters. Inner West Council summarises the standard's flue rules: the flue should be at least 4.6 metres high from floor level and away from any windows or doors. It should also finish at least 0.6 metres above the roof line and 1 metre taller than any neighbouring structure within a 3 metre radius.

The 4.6 metres is measured from floor level, so settle the flue route before choosing the heater itself. A flue is far easier to change on a plan than on a finished roof.

What about an open masonry fireplace?

The National Construction Code sets the numbers for an open fireplace built into a home. NCC 2022 Part 12.4 requires a hearth of stone, concrete, masonry or similar non-combustible material extending at least 300 mm beyond the front of the opening and 150 mm beyond each side. The chimney or flue must end at least 300 mm above the highest part of the building within a horizontal distance of 3.6 metres.

That hearth is what catches a rolling log or a spray of embers before it reaches timber flooring, which is why the measurements are worth getting exactly right.

How close can a fireplace be to a wall or a window?

There is no single national distance. Each heater comes with its maker's clearances to walls, furniture and glass, so work from the installation manual for your model and have the installer confirm the figures on site before the heater is fixed in place.

Who is allowed to install a fireplace?

In Victoria, installing a solid fuel heater is licensed plumbing work. The Building and Plumbing Commission lists the installation, alteration or repair of any solid fuel heater under its mechanical services class, including the roof penetrations and flashings for its flue. The commission also recommends a yearly service by a registered or licensed mechanical services plumber.

Gas fireplaces sit under a separate licensing regime. In NSW, gasfitting work needs a licence regardless of the cost of the job. Where the line sits for a do-it-yourself build is covered in our guide on whether you can install a fireplace yourself in Australia.

Does a wood heater need a compliance plate?

Yes. Victoria's Building and Plumbing Commission says wood and solid fuel heaters must meet Australian Standards to be manufactured or sold in Australia; a compliance plate on the appliance or a manufacturer's certificate shows that it has. Inner West Council tells owners to look for a plate stating the heater conforms to AS 4013, the emissions standard.

An outdoor masonry kit is a different case. The Ochre Living Hotham Complete Fireplace Kit, for example, arrives as pre-cut firebricks, chimney blocks, jointing adhesive, firebrick mortar and render, according to Ochre Living's FAQ. It is built on site, so the question becomes whether the structure needs approval.

Do you need council approval for a fireplace?

In NSW, yes, for a fireplace or heater in the home. The City of Newcastle's guide says council approval is required under Section 68 of the Local Government Act 1993 before installing any fireplace. A built-in fireplace also needs development consent; a stand-alone fireplace does not, provided no structural work is involved. The council adds that work on a heritage item or inside a heritage conservation area may not follow those rules, so ask first.

The same council notes that every heater sold in NSW must have a certificate of compliance issued by a body approved by the EPA. Our guide to putting a fireplace in your house in NSW walks through that process.

An outdoor fireplace raises a different approval question, answered in full, state by state, in do you need council approval for an outdoor fireplace.

If your plans involve a flue through a roof or a heritage overlay, ring Hayden on 1300 515 620 before you commit to anything. He will tell you which of our kits suits the site and which will not.

What can you burn and when can you light it?

Only approved fuel, never on a total fire ban day. The NSW EPA limits backyard fire pits and barbecues to dry seasoned wood, LPG, natural gas or preparatory barbecue fuel; anything else that causes excessive smoke is not allowed. Local councils can take action if fire pits produce excessive smoke. Brisbane City Council lists clean dry wood, gas, ethanol and charcoal as safe fuels; under its local law, nobody can burn waste (including green waste) in a backyard.

Inner West Council adds that treated or painted timber and household rubbish should never be burnt. On a total fire ban day, the NSW RFS rules stop any barbecue or pizza oven burning wood, charcoal or heat beads from being used outside; fire permits are suspended as well. Plan on a wood-burning outdoor fireplace staying unlit on those days.

Which fireplace keeps the rules simplest?

A freestanding kit built in the open, clear of any roof. Buschbeck's FAQ says its fireplaces can go under a covered area only if a flue is fitted through the roof of that cover. On a timber deck, the deck must take more than 600 kg over the product's footprint, with fireproof material under and around it. The Buschbeck Rondo 3-in-1 Outdoor Fireplace set on paving in the open avoids both questions.

An Ochre Living kit carries its own chimney, which can be extended with additional blocks 300 mm high each; the Ochre Living Additional Chimney Block is that part. Ochre Living recommends a poured concrete footing under the fireplace if it is going onto a timber deck.

One honest caution: if paperwork is the real obstacle, a masonry kit is not the easiest path. The NSW EPA says residents do not need approval for a backyard fire pit or barbeque; the council approval guide linked above covers the other states.

Every fireplace we range comes with our price-beat promise and owner's after-care: a fit check before it ships, a shepherded delivery and a check-in within a week. We also handle any warranty claim for you. Nothing here is legal advice. Rules change with the season and the council, so confirm your position with your council and state fire authority before you build or light anything. Ring Hayden on 1300 515 620, or compare the range of outdoor fireplaces.

You May Also Like:

• How long do outdoor fireplaces last?
• What is an outdoor fireplace called?
• Do You Need Council Approval for an Outdoor Fireplace?
• Can you install a fireplace yourself in Australia?
• Can I put a fireplace in my house in NSW?
• Does an outdoor fireplace need a chimney?
• How to Build an Outdoor Fireplace: An Australian Buyer's Guide
• Shop all outdoor fireplaces

Hayden Pearson

Learn More

About the author:
“I have a real passion for helping transform outdoor spaces so people can relax, connect and entertain with confidence and pride. With My Acre, I love guiding homeowners to create beautiful and functional outdoor living areas."