You want to change your building surveyor
The VBA will only accept an application to terminate the appointment of a private building surveyor in limited circumstances. This is because when implementing building standards, a building surveyor may need to make difficult decisions that conflict with the wishes of a builder or owner. The Act ensures that an owner who is dissatisfied with their building surveyor’s decision can’t easily end their building surveyor’s appointment to avoid legal requirements.
We will only consent to the termination when the reasons are in accordance with the Act and VBA guidelines. Disagreeing with the decision of their building surveyor is not sufficient grounds for termination.
If you disagree with a decision your building surveyor has made, you can appeal to the Building Appeals Board.
A request to terminate will not be granted if there is a dispute about enforcement action or the correct progress of the project.
Likely grounds for consent to termination
Some reasons that we may give consent to terminate a private building surveyor’s appointment include:
- the building surveyor has retired, no longer able to carry out their function or is insolvent
- the building surveyor has left the employment of the company that is providing the building surveying service
- the owner intends to complete the building work through the municipal building surveyor
- the original owner sold the property to a new owner before the commencement of building work at the property.
Process for terminating a building surveyor’s appointment
We do not terminate the appointment of private building surveyors, but we may provide written consent to the property owner or building surveyor to end an appointment.
To seek consent to terminate your building surveyor’s appointment, you need to complete the relevant application and submitting it to us. Any supporting documentation should be attached to the request.
We recommend that you discuss the matter with your current building surveyor so they are aware of the situation. You will need to provide confirmation that your preferred building surveyor is willing to accept the appointment before we can grant consent.
Once we have received your application, we will make our own enquiries into the circumstances of the termination. Once we have made a decision, we will let you know and inform the other involved parties.
If we grant consent, you must then appoint your preferred building surveyor. The newly appointed building surveyor needs to notify the local council in which the building is located within seven days.
Apply for consent from the VBA
Select a category that applies to your request to terminate the appointment of your registered building surveyor.
Do not complete this form if you answer yes to questions 1 to 4 below.
1. Are you applying to terminate a building surveyor for multiple sites? Please email instead.
2. Is the site owned by a company or trust? Please complete an Application to terminate a Victorian Private Building Surveyor – Company Owner (PDF, 1569.12 KB) form instead.
3. Is the building surveyor unable to practice because of death, or if their registration has been suspended or cancelled? Please complete the Notice of intention to appoint a new building surveyor (PDF, 1395.92 KB) instead.
4. Has the building work/building permit been cancelled? You do not need to apply for a termination. However, you must notify your council and complete the Notice of intention to cancel building work (PDF, 1376.95 KB).
Otherwise, complete the following form:
- Application to terminate a Victorian Private Building Surveyor – Individual Owner (PDF, 1570.15 KB)
Send the completed form to:
Victorian Building Authority
GPO Box 536
Melbourne VIC 3001
Or email
Please note:
- To allow for the application to be processed within a reasonable time, please provide as much information at the time of submitting the application.
- The processing time for an application is 30 working days if all the relevant information is provided with the application.
- The owner or owner's agent or relevant building surveyor may complete the form.
- A builder cannot complete this form as the owner's agent.
- Inform both the outgoing and incoming building surveyor/s affected so they are aware of the situation.
- Where possible, provide written confirmation from your appointed relevant building surveyor stating they are willing to terminate their appointment as the building surveyor of the project.
- Provide written confirmation from the incoming building surveyor stating they are willing to accept the appointment of relevant building surveyor for the project.
Do not complete this form if you answer yes to questions 1 to 4 below.
1. Are you applying to terminate a building surveyor for multiple sites? Please email instead.
2. Is the site owned by an individual? Please complete an Application to terminate a Victorian Private Building Surveyor – Individual Owner (PDF, 1570.15 KB) form.
3. Is the building surveyor unable to practise because of death, or their registration has been suspended or cancelled? Please complete a Notice of intention to appoint a new building surveyor (PDF, 1395.92 KB) form.
4. Has the building work/building permit been cancelled? You do not need to apply for a termination. However, you must notify your council and complete the Notice of intention to cancel building work (PDF, 1376.95 KB) form.
Otherwise, complete the following form:
Send the completed form to:
Victorian Building Authority
GPO Box 536
Melbourne VIC 3001
Or email
Please note:
- To allow for the application to be processed within a reasonable time, please provide as much information at the time of submitting the application.
- The processing time for an application is 30 working days if all the relevant information is provided with the application.
- The owner or owner's agent or relevant building surveyor may complete the form.
- A builder cannot complete this form as the owner's agent.
- Inform both the outgoing and incoming building surveyor/s affected so they are aware of the situation.
- Where possible, provide written confirmation from your appointed relevant building surveyor stating they are willing to terminate their appointment as the building surveyor of the project.
- Provide written confirmation from the incoming building surveyor stating they are willing to accept the appointment of relevant building surveyor for the project.
Private Building Surveyor wanting to terminate their appointment
A Private Building Surveyor may make an application requesting the VBA's consent to the termination of their appointment if they cannot complete a transfer of functions under section 80C of the Building Act 1993, and there are exceptional circumstances.
To make an application please complete the following form: Application to Terminate a Victorian Private Building Surveyor – Individual Owner. (PDF, 1570.15 KB)