A new regulator that will manage all aspects of building regulation in Victoria as a single body is now in operation.

On Tuesday, the Victorian Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC) opened its doors.

Established under the Building Legislation Amendment (Buyer Protections) Act 2025, the new regulator brings together functions of the Victorian Building Authority (VBA), Domestic Building Dispute Resolution Victoria (DBDRV) and the domestic building insurance arm of the Victorian Managed Insurance Authority (VMIA).

It will create a one-stop-shop for building practitioner registration and discipline, dispute resolution and domestic building insurance.

The new body’s creation is the first step in implementing reforms that are designed to improve consumer protection and accountability of building practitioners.

The reforms have been enabled through the aforementioned legislation.

They will be enacted through new regulations which are expected to accompany the new Act.

The regulations will be developed  over the second half of this year in consultation with industry and consumer groups.

The additional reforms will include:

  • Granting of expanded powers to the new regulator. This includes the ability to direct builders to fix non-compliant work for up to ten years after the issuing of an occupancy certificate (previously, the VBA had the power to issue rectification orders only where defects were identified during construction).
  • Compelling developers of apartment buildings which are above three storeys in height to notify the regulator before a building is occupied so as to enable the regulator to conduct a final inspection.
  • Greater financial protection for property owners in apartment complexes of four or more storey in height through introduction of a developer bond scheme to cover costs associated with defects which are identified after construction. (Owners in these buildings are excluded from domestic building insurance and therefore currently have no financial protection in respect of rectification costs for defects which are identified once an occupancy certificate is granted.)
  • Reform of domestic building insurance to create a first resort insurance scheme. This will enable consumers to lodge a claim in respect of defective building work as soon as defects are identified and the builder refuses to fix it. Currently, claims can be made only in cases where the builder becomes insolvent, dies or disappears.

The new Commission will be led by Anna Cronin, who will serve as the BPC’s Commissioner and Chief Executive.

Cronin has led the VBA for the past two years since her appointment in July 2023.

During that time, she is credited with driving a significant transformation of the VBA’s culture, practices and performance.

In a statement, Cronin welcomed the new regulator’s establishment.

“The establishment of the BPC is just the beginning of a new chapter but it’s a huge step forward,” Cronin said.

“Our new powers will be a game changer for consumers.

“We at the BPC will be working hard every single day to help restore confidence, protect consumers and educate and support practitioners.”  

 

Enjoying Sourceable articles? Subscribe for Free and receive daily updates of all articles which are published on our site

 

Want to grow your sales, reach more new clients and expand your client base across Australia’s design and construction sector?

Advertise on Sourceable and have your business seen by the thousands of architects, engineers, builders/construction contractors, subcontractors/trade contractors, property developers and building industry suppliers who read our stories across the civil, commercial and residential construction sector