The Allan Labor Government is backing Victorian homeowners with stronger protections to provide greater confidence in the building industry.
Minister for Housing and Building Harriet Shing today opened consultation on strong new powers to give the Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC) the teeth it needs to prevent building defects and protect consumers when they need it most.
The proposed reforms include:
- Rectification Orders - requiring dodgy builders to fix substandard work up to 10 years in the past.
- A first-resort warranty scheme ensuring consumers are covered when they need it most, not once they've exhausted all other options.
- A developer bond scheme for apartments similar to a rental bond and paid by developers to safeguard buyers in multi-unit developments.
Most builders take great pride in delivering safe, high-quality homes for Victorian families - but when things go wrong, consumers can face lengthy and costly processes to resolve issues.
That's why the Labor Government has established the Building and Plumbing Commission to weed out bad-faith operators from the industry and fight for consumers when they need it most.
These initiatives are a game-changer for Victorian consumers - boosting confidence for anyone buying, building, or purchasing a home off-the-plan.
The Department of Transport and Planning has now released a Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) outlining options to implement the BPC's new powers.
Victorians are invited to have their say on the RIS on before Friday, 30 January 2026 at engage.vic.gov.au.
As stated by Minister for Housing and Building Harriet Shing
"We're giving Victorian families the confidence they need to invest in the building industry by delivering homes are built to last, with stronger protections from day one."
"We're giving the BPC the powers it needs to protect Victorians and hold dodgy builders to account."
