MDCS
Purpose
The Monash Design and Construction Standards (MDCS) outline the minimum requirements for the design, construction and performance of built works at all of Monash University’s Australian campuses.
The role of the standards is to bridge the gap between the University's strategic policy and construction outcomes, deliver the University's aspirations in its built environment, foster a sense of campus cohesiveness, and ensure assets are fit for purpose and align with maintenance regimes.
These standards embody clarity, foster innovation and drive sustainability. They serve as an invaluable resource for contractors, consultants and university teams, promoting consistency and operational excellence across all campuses.
Download MDCS
Click on the button below to download the MDCS (PDF).
MDCS 2025
Supporting documents
In addition to compulsory legislated codes and standards, any relevant Monash University strategies, policies and documents that feature in the MDCS must be identified as a project reference.
These Monash reference documents are listed below, organised by MDCS section, for download or request.
It is the responsibility of the designers, consultants and contractors to identify latest versions, whether these are within or outside of the control of Monash.
Compliance
The Monash Design and Construction Standards were developed by and for Monash University Buildings and Property Division and must under all normal circumstances be regarded as mandatory. All designs, landscapes and built projects must comply with the standards and meet the intent of the project brief.
As a regulatory minimum, all Monash projects must comply with relevant legislation, the National Construction Code (NCC) and applicable Australian Standards. The MDCS describe performance requirements above and beyond existing industry codes and standards and must be complied with.
Compliance tool
The Compliance Tool contains the technical sections of the MDCS in a spreadsheet format to assist consultants, contractors and Monash staff to check compliance with the MDCS throughout a project.
This checklist is to assist with checking compliance with the MDCS:
Statement of compliance
On completion of project documentation, the design team must certify compliance with the MDCS.
This form sets out the requirements for certifying compliance:
Monash University Statement of Compliance Form
Design dispensations
Monash recognises there may be instances where designers will need to depart from these standards for various reasons. In these instances, designers will need to seek a dispensation from Monash.
This form sets out the requirements for seeking dispensation:
Monash University Dispensation Request Form
Governance
The MDCS will be subject to periodic review and amendments as per the MDCS Governance Framework. Designers, consultants and contractors must ensure that any referenced document is the most current available at the time of the project inception. Where a change in the standards occurs during the life of the project, Monash will notify the project team and provide guidance on the adoption of the revised standards.
Contact us
Monash welcomes inquiries and feedback on the standards at any stage of a project. This will be reviewed and used to edit, clarify, revise or delete the standards as appropriate.
Please direct comments and suggestions on improving the MDCS to bpd-mdcs@monash.edu