Victoria could have a new watchdog overseeing builders and plumbers if legislation introduced by the state government this week becomes law.
The bill to reform the Domestic Building Contracts Act 1995 was introduced to state parliament on June 18 and supports the establishment of the Building and Plumbing Commission by transferring powers from Consumer Affairs Victoria to the Victorian Building Authority.
The new body would bring together all aspects of building quality control – regulation, insurance, and dispute resolution – into a single agency.
The decision to create a new watchdog follows consultations with a range of consumer, banking and builder groups, including the Housing Industry Association, the Master Builders Association of Victoria, and the Consumer Action Law Centre.
The bill also includes reforms to better protect consumers by ensuring the rules around domestic building contracts are fair and clear and allowing them to cancel contracts if timelines blow out by more than 50 per cent or costs increase by more than 15 per cent.
“These reforms will strengthen protections for consumers while supporting the building industry – helping get more homes built.,” said Consumer Affairs Minister Nick Staikos
“These reforms strike an important balance for buyers making the biggest purchase of their lives, and for the vast majority of builders who take great pride in their work,” said Housing and Building Minister Harriet Shing.
