You must be registered with the Victorian Building Authority in Victoria to:

• perform domestic building work that costs more than $10,000 (including labour and materials)
• carry out re-blocking, restumping or demolishing work, remove a home, or carry out any building work that requires a permit, regardless of cost

The Victorian Building Authority (VBA) registers building practitioners and monitors their conduct and compliance with the building regulations.

The builder must be a registered building practitioner and use a major domestic building contract if the work costs more than $10,000. The contract clearly states the build cost to you the client, start and finish dates, construction schedules and progress payments. All important points you need to consider and would like to have in writing before you start. It is crucial in settling any dispute with your builder.

Your builder must also take out Domestic Building Insurance if the cost of the work is more than $16,000. This is to cover you if they die, disappear or become insolvent. They must give you a certificate of currency for the insurance before they take a deposit and start to build.

For more information, visit the VBA’s website:

• Practitioner search page
• Practitioner disciplinary register page.