What are the specific thermal bridging requirements for wall construction under the NCC 2022 7-star NatHERS standard for new homes in colder Australian climates?

Under NCC 2022 and the 7-star NatHERS standard, thermal bridging in wall construction for colder Australian climates is critically addressed through new whole-of-building performance requirements. While not explicitly specifying U-value for individual components, the NatHERS pathway demands an accredited energy rating software simulation to demonstrate compliance, where thermal bridging effects from framing, penetrations, and structural elements are accounted for in the overall wall R-value calculation. The DTS (Deemed-to-Satisfy) pathway, where chosen, mandates specific prescriptive measures, often requiring insulation continuous across framing members or thermally broken wall systems to minimise heat loss and gain, ensuring the aggregated wall R-value meets or exceeds the stipulated performance for the climate zone.