List of Commonly Used Revit Families in the Australian AEC

The pressure on the Australian AEC industry has only intensified over the past few years. We see many firms face tighter deadlines, stricter regulations, and higher expectations for project accuracy. And all while trying to keep costs under control. The sharp rise in BIM adoption is a clear response to that pressure. And with that shift comes a very specific demand: high-quality, standards-compliant Revit families Australia professionals can rely on.

We also see how many teams waste hours tweaking international families to meet local codes. Generic families from overseas often don’t cut it. We hear from many firms struggling with these mismatches.

At Interscale, we work closely with AEC professionals to eliminate these hurdles. We bring custom Revit family creation services and ready-to-deploy templates tailored to Australian conditions. With this kind of experience, we’re gonna share the most commonly used Revit families in Australia and how they support efficient work.

Common Revit Families for the Australian AEC Industry

Below are the most widely used Revit family types in Australian AEC projects. Please note, each type has a specific job in shaping efficient workflows and quality outcomes.

Doors and Windows

For the Australian market, door and window families need to look right and must perform according to code. Think standard hinged options, sliding doors for space-saving layouts, or BAL-rated windows for bushfire-prone areas. In Revit, these are typically represented using Revit door family and Revit window family components.

Whether it’s a sliding door Revit family or an accessible bathroom door set, the right content ensures faster approvals and fewer headaches. So, typically, Australian projects require:

• Meet AS 1428.1 clearance zones and other regulations. 
• Window types matching local climate specs (e.g., bushfire-rated glazing)
• Parametric controls for sizing, materials, and hardware
• Off-the-shelf options rarely fit. Customisation ensures schedules stay accurate and sites stay conflict-free.

Furniture and Fixtures

Revit furniture families like chairs, desks, and storage units must align with circulation paths and ergonomics. Need built-in cabinetry or a custom kitchen family Revit? You’ll want content that’s visually accurate and embedded with data for cost estimating, material takeoffs, and FF&E coordination.

Or, consider Revit toilet family elements. A compliant toilet block needs to reflect correct fixture spacing and accessibility clearances. These aren’t just visual assets; they’re functional design tools.

MEP Fixtures and Equipment

Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) systems are complex and highly regulated in Australia. MEP families include:

• HVAC units and duct fittings
• Light fixtures
• Switchboards
• Plumbing fixtures.

Compliance with standards like AS/NZS 3000 (Electrical Installations), AS/NZS 3500 (Plumbing and Drainage), and BIM-MEP AUS guidelines is non-negotiable. Well-built MEP families include clearance zones, service access indicators, and connection logic. They’re key to coordinated design and clean documentation. In our experience, Australian firms benefit immensely from locally adapted MEP content that aligns with national codes and supplier specs.

At Interscale, we also stay up to date with the curve. For example, here are our reviews and thoughts on Revit 2026.

Structural Elements

Structural engineers depend on precise Revit families for beams, columns, foundations, and trusses. These represent materials like steel, concrete, and timber and serve as the foundation for structural analysis. Key requirements include here:

• Accurate physical properties for load calculations
• Compliance with AS 3679.1/2 (steel sections) and AS 3600 (concrete structures)
• Detailed connection definitions.

For example, a Revit house template with embedded structural families can dramatically accelerate early design phases. But more importantly, the right families reduce risk.

Annotation and Tags

Annotations may not be glamorous, but they’re mission-critical. Tags, symbols, and labels must comply with AS 1100 to ensure clarity in construction documentation. When annotations are off-brand or inconsistent, confusion spreads fast, from consultants to contractors.

From our perspective, standardised Revit tags do more than mark up drawings. They control how your data gets interpreted. That’s why we include uniform and standards-based annotations in every Revit template Australia we deliver.

Site and Landscaping Families

Site families help represent external project features. These include terrain, retaining walls, paving, and other key site elements. Landscaping families, then, cover your trees, shrubs, and ground cover, adding vital context.

For Australian projects, using native plant species or suitable local landscaping is important for accurate representation and sustainability. These families aid in site analysis and project visualization, giving a fuller picture.

Curtain Wall Systems

Curtain wall systems push parametric design to its limits. Their success hinges on flexible yet compliant system families. Panels, mullions, and framing need to balance aesthetics, energy performance, and structural loads.

As Australian facades trend towards performance-based design, curtain wall components must reflect actual construction constraints—thermal ratings, fire resistance, and wind loads. Off-the-shelf won’t cut it here.

Generic Models for Council Submissions

During early design stages or council submissions, generic models represent non-standard items. These might include:

• Massing studies
• Setback representations
• Unique architectural features

For Development Applications (DAs), clarity is key. Well-structured generic models help communicate design intent clearly and reduce approval delays.

Point Cloud Ready Generic Placeholders

Scan-to-BIM workflows are booming in Australia. Refurbishment, heritage upgrades, and as-built modelling all rely on accurate point cloud references. Here, simple placeholder families aligned with scan data can drastically reduce modelling time. These families don’t need details. They need precision and responsiveness. They mark walls, windows, and services in their existing positions, forming the base for detailed upgrades later.

Custom Revit families are built for your project’s needs. And at Interscale Revit templates and families service, we create families that fit your exact project needs. Let’s say the compliance notes, fittings, tags, and even the manufacturer codes you prefer. That’s why our process begins with listening. We understand your standards, review your template, and build Revit content that works for you.

Need a bespoke Revit window family with BAL ratings and local glass types? We’ve done that. A multi-service riser for mixed-use towers? Done. Our content is compliant, smart, lightweight, and scalable. All because our goal was as simple as making your models faster, cleaner, and more compliant from the get-go.

Your Next Step

So, if you want to navigate Revit families’ Australia-specific needs, let’s talk. If you’re interested in optimising your BIM current setup, let’s talk. We offer you a free discovery session with one of our specialists. In that meeting, we can talk about your current setup and find the bottleneck.

So, here is your next step: Book your free discovery session via Calendly here.