Building regulatory framework in Victoria
The Building Act 1993 sets the legal framework for the regulation of building construction, building standards, maintenance of specific safety features and for registration of building and plumbing practitioners in Victoria.
All building and plumbing work in Victoria must be carried out in accordance with the Building Act, the Building Regulations 2018 and the Plumbing Regulations 2018. The Building Regulations and Plumbing Regulations incorporate the National Construction Code and relevant Australian Standards for the purpose of prescribing the standards which apply. Building work must also comply with any building permit issued in relation to that work.
The regulation of building construction includes establishing requirements for the preparation and approval of building permits, the carrying out of building inspections and the issue of occupancy permits.
The Victorian Building Authority (VBA) is the state’s principal regulator for building and plumbing practitioners to ensure the achievement of safe and compliant building and plumbing industries in Victoria. As part of this, the VBA investigates breaches and offences of building legislation, primarily the Building Act 1993, the Building Regulations 2018 and Plumbing Regulations 2018. The conduct of registered or licensed building and plumbing practitioners is a primary focus of the VBA.
The Architects Act 1991 and Architects Regulations 2015 are primarily concerned with the regulation of architects. They provide for a registration system administered by the Architects Registration Board of Victoria (ARBV) and for the appointment of a tribunal for inquiries into the conduct of architects. The Architects Act also allows the Minister to require architects to be covered by insurance.
Part 14 of the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 regulates caravan parks and moveable dwellings in relation to the standards of development, design, construction, sitting and installation together with health and safety standards for caravan parks. It also provides for applications for exemptions or variations of the requirements and the mechanism for appeals decisions.
The Residential Tenancies (Caravan Parks and Movable Dwellings Registration and Standards) Regulations 2010 set out the requirements for the registration of caravan parks, health and safety standards in caravan parks and technical standards for the design and installation of moveable dwellings and annexes.
Page last updated: 21/05/22