The Victorian Building Authority (VBA) has released the State’s first Code of Conduct for Building Surveyors to improve safety and oversight in the building industry.
State Building Surveyor at VBA, Andrew Cialini said the code had been developed in response to industry demand and was a key recommendation of the Building Confidence report by Peter Shergold and Bronwyn Weir.
“The Shergold Weir Report made sweeping recommendations to improve the industry, including that each jurisdiction should put in place a code of conduct for building surveyors,” Mr Cialini said.
“The Code clearly sets out examples of inappropriate conduct and establishes eight key areas of professional conduct that building surveyors in Victoria must follow,” he said.
“The Code makes clear that building surveyors must act in the public interest, comply with the law, act with integrity and avoid conflicts of interest, such as involving themselves in the design process when they also perform statutory functions.”
Mr Cialini said that while the vast majority of building surveyors did the right thing, it was important that a code be established to provide more certainty for all industry players on acceptable behaviours and practices.
“Building surveyors are central to building safety and often spot non-compliance with building work – it’s vital they follow the rules to help maintain public safety,” he said.
“The Code will give clarity of expectations and accountabilities for the statutory role of building surveyors.”
Mr Cialini said VBA was preparing an education and training program to support the implementation of the new code which comes into force on 1 January 2021.
