Victoria’s building regulators are to flex new powers under a package of reforms to provide stronger protections for Victorians building or renovating their homes.
Announcing reforms to the Domestic Building Contracts Act 1995, Premier Daniel Andrews said the State’s building regulators would have more powers to monitor whether builders were meeting their obligations under the law to take out domestic building insurance prior to taking a deposit.
Mr Andrews said the reforms would include tough new penalties for failing to comply with these requirements.
“The Victorian Building Authority (VBA) will audit builders regarding collection of deposit and purchase of domestic building insurance,” Mr Andrews said.
“Builders are currently experiencing significant global economic challenges, including rising supply chain costs – and after consultation with the sector, the Government will consider providing an extended transition for some new National Construction Code requirements that are currently scheduled to commence in October,” he said.
“The reform package will also provide opportunities to review the role of all regulators and improve the information provided to consumers about a builder’s obligation to take out domestic building insurance.”
Mr Andrews said the initiatives would form part of the ongoing building reform program reshaping the Victorian building system and helping deliver safe, compliant and durable buildings.
