Building practitioner fees

Building practitioner fees – individual Building practitioner fees – company Other fees Financial hardship

Building practitioner fees – individuals

All fees are exempt from GST.

Registration fees are a one-off fee charged for a new registration application.

Application type (Individual)	Fee amount
Domestic Builder (Unlimited)	$956.80
Domestic Builder (Limited)	$765.40
Commercial Builder (Unlimited)	$765.40
Commercial Builder (Limited)	$612.30
All other categories of registration	$612.30
Discount fee**
Domestic Builder category	$612.30
All other categories of registration	$489.90

**For a discount fee to apply, a person must hold a current registration in the same category. For example:

If a person has a current registration as a Building Designer (Architectural) and is now applying for registration as a Building Designer (Interior Design), they are entitled to a discount for their Building Designer (Interior Design) registration application fee. This is because the two registrations are in the same category.
If a person has a current registration as a Commercial Builder (Unlimited) and is now applying for registration as a Domestic Builder (Unlimited), they are not eligible for a discount as the two registrations are not in the same category.

Annual fees are charged on subsequent years of registration with the VBA. The due date of an annual fee and insurance obligations will determine the fee you will pay.

Application type (Individual)	Fee amount
Domestic Builder (Unlimited)	$478.40
Domestic Builder (Limited)	$382.70
Domestic Builder (Manager) Note: This class of registration ceases on 30 June 2022, and fees are applicable until all open permits are closed	$478.40
Commercial Builder (Unlimited)	$382.70
Commercial Builder (Limited)	$306.10
All other categories of registration	$306.10
Discount fee**
Domestic Builder category	$306.10
All other categories of registration	$244.90

**For a discount fee to apply, a person must hold more than one current registration in

the same category. They also must have paid one full annual fee for a registration in that category within the last 12 months. For example:

If a person paid the full annual fee for their Building Designer (Architectural) in the last 12 months and their Building Designer (Interior Design) is now due for an annual fee, they are entitled to a discount for their Building Designer (Interior Design) annual fee. This is because the two registrations are in the same category.
If a person has paid a full annual fee in the last 12 months for their Commercial Builder (Unlimited) and their Domestic Builder (Unlimited) annual fee is now due, they are not eligible for a discount as the two registrations are not in the same category.

Renewal fees are paid at five yearly intervals. You are required to lodge your renewal application with the VBA at least three months before your registration expiry date to avoid a late fee.

Application type (Individual)	Fee amount
Domestic Builder (Unlimited)	$1,052.40
Domestic Builder (Limited)	$841.90
Commercial Builder (Unlimited)	$841.90
Commercial Builder (Limited)	$673.60
All other categories of registration	$673.60
Discount fee**
Domestic Builder category	$673.60
All other categories of registration	$538.90

**For a discount fee to apply, a person must hold more than one current registration in

the same category. They also must have paid one full renewal fee for a registration in that category within the last 5 years. For example:

If a person paid the full renewal fee for their Building Designer (Architectural) in the last 5 years and their Building Designer (Interior Design) is now due for renewal, they are entitled to a discount for their Building Designer (Interior Design) renewal fee. This is because the two registrations are in the same category.
If a person has paid a full fee in the last 5 years for their Commercial Builder (Unlimited) and their Domestic Builder (Unlimited) is now due for renewal, they are not eligible for a discount as the two registrations are not in the same category.

Application type	Fee amount
Late fee for renewals (for applications lodged less than 3 months before registration expiry date)	$315.70
Duplicate certificate or replacement ID	$43.60

Type (individual)	Fee amount
Domestic Builder (Unlimited)	$478.40
Domestic Builder (Limited)	$382.70
Commercial Builder (Unlimited)	$382.70
Commercial Builder (Limited)	$306.10
All other categories	$306.10

Fees not applicable

Building practitioner fees – company

All fees are exempt from GST.

Registration fees are a one-off fee charged for a new registration application.

Application type (Company)	Fee amount
Domestic Builder (Unlimited)	$1,339.50
Domestic Builder (Limited)	$1,071.60
Commercial Builder (Unlimited)	$1,071.60
Commercial Builder (Limited)	$857.30
All other categories of registration	$857.30
Discount fee**
Domestic Builder category	$857.30
All other categories of registration	$685.80

**For a discount fee to apply, a company must hold a current registration in the same category. For example:

If a company has a current registration as a Building Designer (Architectural) and is now applying for registration as a Building Designer (Interior Design), they are entitled to a discount for their Building Designer (Interior Design) registration application fee. This is because the two registrations are in the same category.
If a company has a current registration as a Commercial Builder (Unlimited) and is now applying for registration as a Domestic Builder (Unlimited), they are not eligible for a discount as the two registrations are not in the same category.

Annual fees are charged on subsequent years of registration with the VBA. The due date of an annual fee and insurance (AFI) obligations will determine the fee you will pay.

Application type (Company)	Fee amount
Domestic Builder (Unlimited)	$669.70
Domestic Builder (Limited)	$535.80
Domestic Builder (Manager) Note: This class of registration ceases on 30 June 2022, and fees are applicable until all open permits are closed	$669.70
Commercial Builder (Unlimited)	$535.80
Commercial Builder (Limited)	$428.60
All other categories of registration	$428.60
Discount fee**
Domestic Builder category	$428.60
All other categories of registration	$342.90

**For a discount fee to apply, a company must hold more than one current registration in

the same category. They also must have paid one full annual fee for a registration in that category within the last 12 months. For example:

If a company paid the full annual fee for their Building Designer (Architectural) in the last 12 months and their Building Designer (Interior Design) is now due for an annual fee, they are entitled to a discount for their Building Designer (Interior Design) annual fee. This is because the two registrations are in the same category.
If a company has paid a full annual fee in the last 12 months for their Commercial Builder (Unlimited) and their Domestic Builder (Unlimited) annual fee is now due, they are not eligible for a discount as the two registrations are not in the same category.

Renewal fees are paid at five yearly intervals. You are required to lodge your renewal application with the VBA at least three months before your registration expiry date to avoid a late fee.

Application type (Company)	Fee amount
Domestic Builder (Unlimited)	$1,473.40
Domestic Builder (Limited)	$1,178.80
Commercial Builder (Unlimited)	$1,178.80
Commercial Builder (Limited)	$943.00
All other categories of registration	$943.00
Discount fee**
Domestic Builder category	$943.00
All other categories of registration	$754.40

**For a discount fee to apply, a company must hold more than one current registration in the same category. They also must have paid one full renewal fee for a registration in that category within the last 5 years. For example:

If a company paid the full renewal fee for their Building Designer (Architectural) in the last 5 years and their Building Designer (Interior Design) is now due for renewal, they are entitled to a discount for their Building Designer (Interior Design) renewal fee. This is because the two registrations are in the same category.
If a company has paid a full fee in the last 5 years for their Commercial Builder (Unlimited) and their Domestic Builder (Unlimited) is now due for renewal, they are not eligible for a discount as the two registrations are not in the same category.

Application type (company)	Fee amount
Late fee for renewals (for applications lodged less than 3 months before registration expiry date)	$442.10
Duplicate certificate	$43.60

Other fees – Prescribed temporary structures & council fees

New applications

The application fee is $364.00 per structure.

If there is more than one type of structure or structure configuration, the fee must be paid for each structure. For example:

A marquee with 2 different spans (e.g. 10 m and 15 m) would attract a total fee of 2 x $364.00 = $728 .
A circus tent and seating stand would attract a total fee of 2 x $364.00 = $728 .
A marquee that can be connected to another identical structure to form a larger marquee would attract a fee of $364 .

Fees payable to councils are prescribed in fee units. The value of fee units from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024 is $15.90.
The fee amount is calculated by multiplying the applicable number of fee units by the value of a fee unit. The fee amount may be rounded to the nearest 10 cents.
Enquiries about the actual fee payable should be directed to the relevant council.
Stated regulations refer to the Building Regulations 2018.

Regulation 36: Maximum fees payable for report and consent (in fee units)

Consideration by a reporting authority of a building permit application for the demolition of a building referred under section 29A of the Act	5.75
Consideration by council of a building permit application referred under regulation 132(1) or 134(2) or Part 5, 6 or 10	19.61
Consideration by council of a building permit application referred under regulation 116(4)	19.9
Consideration by council of a building permit application referred under regulation 133(2)	9.77

Regulation 45: Lodgment fees (in fee units)

Lodging of documents with a local council by a relevant building surveyor

8.23

Regulation 52: Information request fees (in fee units)

Requests for information

3.19

Financial hardship – Building practitioner fees

We know that sometimes unforeseen circumstances can impact on your ability to pay your building practitioner fees. The Victorian Building Authority (VBA) has financial hardship provisions to support practitioners who need it.

A request for fee relief due to financial hardship can be made on the following grounds for individual applicants and practitioners:

Natural disasters
Loss of employment
Loss of income
Business financial difficulties
Family and domestic violence
Death of a partner, spouse or child
Homelessness
Carer responsibilities.

Fee relief due to financial hardship for company applicants and practitioners is available for natural disaster circumstances only. A company is a separate legal entity from its owners and directors. The VBA cannot consider the individual circumstances of the company’s owners or directors when considering if financial hardship for the company exists. A company in financial difficulty may trigger financial probity concerns under the Building Act 1993.

Company directors that hold individual registrations with the VBA can apply for fee relief due to financial hardship, for their individual registrations.

Mutual recognition and Owner Builder fees are not eligible for fee relief.

The VBA may from time to time update the grounds for which fee relief due to financial hardship may be sought, to address circumstances faced by practitioners.

The following fees are eligible for fee relief due to financial hardship for individuals and company applications:

Building registration application fees
Building annual fees
Building renewal fees
Building late fees
Duplicate practitioner identification cards and registration certificates

Fee relief for applicants and practitioners experiencing financial hardship will be offered as set out in the table below:

Fee type	Fee relief
Registration fee	50% of registration application fee exempted
Annual fee	Practitioner’s registration extended for 12 months with fee exempted
5-year renewal fee	Where renewal and fee exemption are granted, the practitioners expiry date will be extended for 12-months (instead of the standard 5 years). The fee for this 12-month period will be exempted
Late fee	100% of late fee exempted

To apply for fee relief, you must lodge the Financial Hardship – Fee Relief application form (PDF, 2794.45 KB) along with the required supporting evidence when you submit your application for registration, annual renewal or 5-yearly renewal.

We will assess your Financial Hardship – Fee Relief application based on the supportive evidence that you provide us. We will send you a letter that explains our decision once it has been made. If we do not approve your application, the standard fees will apply.

The below table sets out the evidence required in support of your request for fee relief due to financial hardship.

Please ensure that you supply the required supporting evidence with your Financial Hardship – Fee Relief application form (PDF, 2794.45 KB). Not supplying the required evidence may delay the processing of your request.

Financial hardship ground	Evidence in support of application for fee relief
Natural disaster	A police, fire or incident report; or A report or letter from the persons insurer indicating the extent of the damage, and if the rebuild of the home or repair of significant damage and any interim accommodation is covered by the insurer. If a person is affected by a formally declared natural disaster and they are eligible for government assistance, they can provide: A copy of their Australian Government Disaster Relief Payment (AGDRP) application; or Proof of payment of a state or territory government hardship relief payment.
Loss of employment	An Employment Separation Certificate including a reason other than resignation or retirement; or Evidence of receiving a JobSeeker Payment from Centrelink.
Loss of income	A medical certificate outlining the injury or illness and the duration of the injury or illness and that has resulted in loss of income; or A letter from their employer confirming a 30% or more reduction in hours or income and the reason for the reduction; or For self-employed applicants and practitioners, a letter from an accountant or financial advisor confirming: a 30% or more reduction in cashflow or business downturn; or ongoing losses, unpaid creditors outside usual trading terms or overdue tax debts Evidence of receiving a Disability Support Pension from Centrelink; or Evidence of receiving a JobSeeker Payment from Centrelink.
Business financial difficulties	A medical certificate outlining the injury or illness and the duration of the injury or illness and that has resulted in business financial difficulties; or A letter from an accountant or financial advisor confirming: a 30% or more reduction in cashflow or business downturn; or ongoing losses, unpaid creditors outside usual trading terms or overdue tax debts If their business has failed, documentation confirming failure such as bankruptcy, receivership, external administration, liquidation or closure of business. Note: requests for fee relief on this basis must be accompanied by an ASIC extract (for company’s) or an ABN extract confirming the person s link to the company or business.
Family and domestic violence	Court documentation such as: interim intervention orders intervention orders family violence safety notices complaint and warrant for an intervention order; or A statutory declaration confirming that the person has been a victim of family and/or domestic violence and the circumstances; or A letter from a social worker, counsellor, doctor or other party confirming that the person has experienced family and/or domestic violence; or Evidence of receiving of Crisis Payment for Extreme Circumstances Family and Domestic Violence from Centrelink; or A police or incident report. Note: fee relief due to financial hardship does not extend to perpetrators or alleged perpetrators of family and domestic violence.
Death of a partner, spouse or child	A death certificate; or A funeral notice or death notice; or A letter from a social worker, counsellor, doctor or other party.
Homelessness	A letter from a social worker, housing support worker or homelessness support service confirming that the person is homeless.
Carer responsibilities	Evidence of receiving of a Carer Payment or Carer Allowance from Centrelink.

Everybody’s circumstances are different, which is why the VBA will consider your unique circumstances, with appropriate supporting evidence.

You should submit Financial Hardship – Fee Relief application form with a covering letter that clearly identifies:

The grounds you are seeking fee relief
The date of the incident or incidents that have led to your financial hardship
The circumstances of your financial hardship
How the financial hardship has impacted your ability to work or generate income within the building industry.

Please ensure that you supply supporting evidence with your Financial Hardship – Fee Relief application form. Not supplying the financial hardship evidence may delay the processing of your request.

A person may seek a review a VBA delegate’s decision by submitting a Request for Review of Decision – Fee Relief application (PDF, 765.7 KB).

This request is to be made within 30 calendar days of the VBA’s decision and identify the below ground/s on which the review is sought:

New information, facts or circumstances have arisen since the initial request for fee relief was made.
The decision made was wrong or not properly made.
The information provided by the applicant was not properly considered by the decision maker.
Application for review should be sent via email.

Payment

We accept money order, cheque and credit card payments. We do not accept cash payments.
Payment details are collected when you submit your relevant application, renewal, annual fee or insurance form.