Victorian homeowners are set to get stronger protections, aimed at boosting confidence in the building industry and better protecting consumers.
Housing and Building Minister Harriet Shing has opened consultation on new powers for the Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC), designed to stop building defects and help homeowners when problems arise.
The proposed reforms include:
- Rectification Orders that would force poor-quality builders to fix faulty work completed up to 10 years ago.
- A first-resort warranty scheme, so homeowners are covered straight away when things go wrong, instead of only after all other options are exhausted.
- A developer bond scheme for apartments, similar to a rental bond, paid by developers to protect buyers in multi-unit buildings.
Most builders take pride in delivering safe, high-quality homes. However, when building problems occur, homeowners can face long delays and high costs trying to resolve them.
The Building and Plumbing Commission was created to remove dishonest operators from the industry and stand up for consumers when they need help.
These reforms aim to strengthen protections for anyone buying, building or purchasing a home off the plan, and to restore trust in the building process.
The Department of Transport and Planning has released a Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) outlining how the new powers could be introduced.
“These reforms will give families greater confidence that their homes are built to last, with stronger protections from the start,” Shing said, adding, “We’re giving the Building and Plumbing Commission the powers it needs to protect consumers and hold dodgy builders to account.”
Victorians are invited to share their views on the RIS before Friday, 30 January 2026, at engage.vic.gov.au.
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