Building industry
Information on building regulations, registration, fees, enforcement and more.
Building surveyors
Information on regulations, registration, carrying out your role as a building surveyor and more.
Plumbing industry
Information on plumbing regulations, becoming registered or licensed, fees, enforcement and more.
Owner-builders
Information about applying for an owner-builder certificate of consent, including eligibility, training requirements and more.
Consumers
Information about building and plumbing matters for property owners, residents and renovators.
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Home renovation essentials
- Engaging a builder
- Engaging a plumber
- Appointing a building surveyor
- Ending the appointment...
- Planning and building permits
- Landscaping
- Plumbing compliance certificates
- Insurance for building and plumbing work
- Protecting adjoining properties
- Energy efficiency requirements
- At the end of your building project
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Safety guides
- Smoke alarms
- Bushfire protection
- Essential safety measures
- Carbon monoxide
- Wood heaters, solid fuel heaters, and flues
- Hot water safety
- Safety and plumbing products (WaterMark)
- Storm and flood information
- Minimising foundation movement
- Balconies, decks and balustrades
- Freestanding walls
- Termites
- Basketball rings
- Water ingress – balconies, decks and terraces
- Earthquake design and construction
Registration and Licensing
Information on becoming a registered building practitioner, or a registered or licensed plumber.
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Building practitioner registration
- Renewals and other requirements
- Building fees
- Building companies
- Mutual recognition for building practitioners
- National police check
- Fit and proper person – external administration
- Partnerships
- Automatic Mutual Recognition
- Online Exams – Building
- Why do I need to log in to VBA?
- Apply for registration online
Publications
Building Publications
The VBA publishes a range of resources to inform practitioners and the community about relevant building and plumbing related legislation and standards for general guidance in respect to building or plumbing practice. These resources are owned by the VBA and may include content licensed to the VBA by third parties.
The information set out in the VBA’s resources is for general information purposes and guidance only. It is a reader’s responsibility to obtain independent advice in respect of the application of legislation, a technical instruction or industry standard relevant to their circumstances. A person’s use of the VBA’s resources is not a substitute for obtaining independent advice.
While we have made every attempt to ensure our resources contain correct information at the date of publication, the VBA makes no warranty or representation that its resources are error free. The VBA will not be liable for any loss or damage a person may suffer arising out of or in connection with the access and use of the VBA’s resources.
For technical information relating to a specific category of work, please refer to the Building Practice Notes.
Publication Documents
Guide to Standards and Tolerances (under review)
The Guide to standards and Tolerances (the Guide) has been developed for use by builders and building owners as a convenient reference for acceptable standards of workmanship in domestic building construction. it is intended to address areas that are not prescribed under legislation or under a domestic building contract.
Archived Review: Egress for People with Disabilities in High-Rise Office Buildings
The objective of this review is to introduce into the Building Code of Australia (BCA), measures which can be relied upon to meet the requirements of people with disabilities and to achieve compliance with the DDA.
Download PDF Council and Practitioner Guide: Swimming Pool Requirements
This guide is for municipal councils and practitioners to clarify their responsibilities under the building legislation in relation to swimming pool safety. It is not a substitute for the relevant legislation.
Amendments to the Building Act 1993 which commenced on 1 December 2019 have introduced requirements for councils to establish and maintain a register of swimming pools in their municipality and be the gatekeeper for compliance of safety barriers. The Building Regulations 2018 now include Part 9A which consolidates swimming pool safety requirements.
Last updated January 2021
Download PDF Protection Work: Approved Statement
The purpose of this statement is to provide adjoining property owners with information about the operation of the protection work process under the Building Act 1993 (the Act) and the Building Regulations 2018 (the Regulations); and the procedure for the resolution of disputes relating to protection work.
Download PDF