The Landcom Universal Housing Design Guidelines were published in 2008, but the information is as relevant today as it was when first published. The designs are well researched with sample plans for all types of dwellings. The design process included costing the features. Any additional cost was found to be minimal if these features are considered at the outset of the design.
You can download the Universal Housing Design Guidelines as a Handbook or quick reference Factsheet. Apart from key design features it has a section on model houses – single and double storey detached homes. These Guidelines underpined the Livable Housing Design Guidelines (Silver and Gold levels) in 2012. The National Construction Code used these for the Livable Housing Design Standard.
2023 Update: Many of the features in these guidelines are in the National Construction Code and will take effect from October 2023. Most jurisdictions have agreed to adopt the Livable Housing Design Standard but are yet to do so. Queensland, ACT and Victoria were the first adopters.
Note: the Landcom Guidelines are difficult to find on the Landcom website. They are archived in Trove (The National Library of Australia). The housing guidelines were part of a suite of guidelines that aim for liveable neighbourhoods.