Last Updated on 05/11/2025 by Damin Murdock
The Building Legislation Amendment (Buyer Protections) Act 2025 is now enacted, marking a significant milestone in the regulation of Victoria’s domestic building and plumbing sectors. A cornerstone of this reform is the establishment of the Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC), which commenced operations on 1 July 2025.
The BPC is designed to streamline oversight, dispute resolution, and insurance for the building industry by consolidating the following existing bodies into a single, more powerful watchdog:
- Victorian Building Authority (VBA).
- Domestic Building Dispute Resolution Victoria (DBDRV).
- Domestic Building Insurance (DBI) function of the Victorian Managed Insurance Authority (VMIA).
This reform promises a more coordinated, consumer-focused approach to building regulation in Victoria.
What Is BPC – The New Building and Plumbing Regulator?
The BPC will function as a “one-stop shop” regulator, tasked with:
- Overseeing builder and plumber registration, including enforcement and disciplinary measures.
- Administering domestic building insurance, previously managed by the VMIA.
- Delivering dispute resolution services, which were the responsibility of the DBDRV.
By centralising these functions, the BPC aims to simplify consumer interactions with the industry and improve accountability among building professionals.
New Powers of the BPC
The BPC will have expanded regulatory powers, representing a significant shift in how the building and plumbing industries are monitored and held accountable. Key powers include:
- Rectification orders post-occupancy: The BPC can now issue rectification orders even after the occupancy permit is granted. This is crucial because many defects only surface after homeowners move in.
- Mandatory developer notifications: Developers of apartment buildings above three storeys must notify the BPC prior to occupation, allowing the regulator to conduct a final inspection.
- Developer bonds for apartments: A new developer bond scheme will ensure funds are available to fix defects in mid- and high-rise apartment buildings after occupancy permits are issued.
- Expanded Domestic Building Insurance (DBI): Consumers will benefit from enhanced protection, as DBI will cover cases where a builder fails to comply with rectification orders, even if the builder is not insolvent or deceased.
Why Is This Reform Significant?
This legislative reform represents one of the most comprehensive overhauls of building regulation in Victoria’s history. It will:
- Streamline the regulatory framework, making it easier for consumers to navigate disputes, insurance claims, and compliance issues.
- Strengthen consumer protections by ensuring regulators have the tools to enforce rectification and address defects proactively.
- Hold builders and developers to account more effectively, especially in the apartment sector where high-profile defects have highlighted systemic issues.
What Does the BPC Mean for Different Stakeholders?
For Practitioners:
If you are a registered builder, plumber, or industry professional, your current registration and/or licence will automatically transition to the BPC. It will remain valid until the expiry date on your existing practitioner ID card, so there is no need for you to take any action until your renewal is due.
Your access to online services will remain unchanged during the transition. Whether you currently interact with the VBA, DBDRV, or VMIA, these portals and services will continue to function until they are fully integrated into the BPC’s digital platform.
For Suppliers:
If you are a supplier of goods or services under agreements with the VBA, these existing terms and conditions remain valid. You can continue to provide goods and services under your current agreement without interruption.
For Consumers:
For homeowners and building clients, existing cases, disputes, or insurance claims managed by the VBA, DBDRV, or VMIA will continue unaffected. All case information, history, and ongoing processes will seamlessly transfer to the BPC, ensuring no delays or disruptions in resolving disputes or processing claims.
Preparing for the Transition
All industry participants, builders, plumbers, suppliers, and consumers, should familiarise themselves with the BPC’s functions and the transition timeline. From 1 July 2025, the BPC will be the single point of contact for building regulation, disputes, and insurance.
The establishment of the BPC marks a new era of accountability and consumer protection in Victoria’s building industry. Both professionals and homeowners should expect a more robust regulatory environment designed to ensure quality, safety, and fairness across the sector.
Feel free to contact Damin Murdock at Leo Lawyers via our website, on (02) 8201 0051 or at office@leolawyers.com.au. Further, if you liked this article, please subscribe to our newsletter via our Website, and subscribe to our YouTube , LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. If you liked this article or video, please also give us a favourable Google Review.
DISCLAIMER: This is not legal advice and is general information only. You should not rely upon the information contained in this article and if you require specific legal advice, please contact us.
Damin Murdock (J.D | LL.M | BACS - Finance) is a seasoned commercial lawyer with over 17 years of experience, recognised as a trusted legal advisor and courtroom advocate who has built a formidable reputation for delivering strategic legal solutions across corporate, commercial, construction, and technology law. He has held senior leadership positions, including director of a national Australian law firm, principal lawyer of MurdockCheng Legal Practice, and Chief Legal Officer of Lawpath, Australia's largest legal technology platform. Throughout his career, Damin has personally advised more than 2,000 startups and SMEs, earning over 300 five-star reviews from satisfied clients who value his clear communication, commercial pragmatism, and in-depth legal knowledge. As an established legal thought leader, he has hosted over 100 webinars and legal videos that have attracted tens of thousands of views, reinforcing his trusted authority in both legal and business communities."
