DB-M and DBU-40 practitioners will not be authorised to enter new major domestic building contracts after 30 September 2021

The class of Domestic Builder – Manager (DB-M) is being phased out and will cease to exist from 30 June 2022.

The Victorian Building Authority (VBA) wrote to DB-M and DBU-40 practitioners on 6 July 2021 to inform them about some key dates and changes relating to your registration.

The regulatory changes to this registration class mean registered practitioners in the DB-M and Domestic Builder Unlimited with condition 40 (DBU-40), limited to managing or arranging building work that is carried out by registered building practitioners in the appropriate class, may continue entering into major domestic building contracts until 30 September 2021.

After this date, DB-M and DBU-40 practitioners will no longer be authorised to enter new major domestic building contracts.

The VBA reminds practitioners that they may face enforcement action if they continue to enter into major domestic building contracts after 30 September 2021.

The VBA takes a risk-based approach to its compliance and enforcement activity and there are a range of penalties and disciplinary actions that can be applied if practitioners are found to be doing the wrong thing.

The VBA will work with practitioners to determine appropriate transition arrangements, as required.

DB-M and DBU-40 practitioners are reminded that the relevant building surveyor (RBS) can continue to issue building permits naming a DB-M or DBU-40 practitioner as the builder on a building permit for domestic building work to be carried out under a major domestic building contract until 31 January 2022, but onlyin relation to building work for which a major domestic building contract was entered on or before 30 September 2021.

The RBS cannot issue building permits naming DB-M or DBU-40 practitioners as the builder after this date.

To ensure we know about your specific circumstances and can keep you up to date, please email dbmtransition@vba.vic.gov.au