Insights — Building & Construction Law Updates

Variation disputes are one of the quickest ways a Victorian build goes off the rails. In Victoria, the answer depends on whether it is a domestic or commercial project — and whether the DBCA paperwork was done properly. This guide covers ss 37/38, the 2% rule, VCAT relief, and Security of Payment.

On 17 March 2026, the Victorian Government introduced the Building and Plumbing Administration and Enforcement Bill 2026 — the most significant overhaul of building regulation in Victoria in decades. The Bill formally establishes the BPC, creates powerful new enforcement tools, and introduces director liability provisions. Here is what homeowners and builders need to know.

Yes — but in Victoria the practical question is usually not "can I sue?", it is what is the correct pathway, what evidence do you need, and what time limits apply. This guide covers domestic and commercial pathways, the 10-year rule, BPC/VCAT, and how to build a strong claim.

Victoria's building regulatory landscape is undergoing its most significant transformation in years. Four distinct reform streams — a modernised licensing system, new financial solvency requirements, changes to the Building Activity Management System, and a contested enforcement bill in Parliament — are reshaping obligations for homeowners, domestic builders, and commercial contractors alike.

Water should never be inside your walls, under your floors, or pooling in your basement. Yet waterproofing failures are the single most prevalent category of building defect in Victoria — and they are getting worse.

If you have completed construction work in Victoria and are waiting to be paid, the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 2002 (Vic) gives you a fast, low-cost mechanism to recover what you are owed — without waiting for the courts.

The Victorian Building Authority (VBA) was replaced by the Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC) on 1 July 2025 — consolidating the VBA, DBDRV, and VMIA's domestic building insurance functions into a single regulator. This article explains what changed, what stayed the same, and what it means for your building dispute.

The Domestic Building Contracts Amendment Act 2025 has passed Parliament and takes effect on 1 December 2026 — but only for new contracts. This guide explains the key changes: the ban on cost escalation clauses under $1M, new termination rights, payment proportionality, and what they mean for homeowners and builders in Victoria.

The Fairer Payments on Jobsites Act 2025 received Royal Assent on 13 November 2025 and commences by 1 September 2026. It will abolish excluded amounts and reference dates, cap payment terms at 20 business days, and give claimants new rights to claim performance security release. Here's what every Victorian contractor and subcontractor needs to know.

Since 1 July 2025, Victoria's domestic building dispute resolution service (DBDRV) has been administered by the Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC). The process name is the same, but the body has changed — and new powers have been added. A step-by-step guide to what homeowners and builders need to know about the current dispute pathway.

Water ingress and waterproofing failures are the leading source of building defect complaints in new Victorian buildings. This guide explains your rights, the evidence you need, and how to navigate the claim process through the BPC and VCAT.

Builder insolvency is one of the most stressful situations a homeowner can face. This guide explains: how DBI now works as first-resort insurance, your rights under the new BPC regime, and the practical steps to take when your builder becomes insolvent mid-build.