The Victorian compliance guide for trade businesses
The rules that keep builders, plumbers, electricians and designers legally on the tools — the Building and Plumbing Commission, insurance minimums, apprentice supervision, WorkCover and the dates you can't miss.
Quick answers
The questions we get asked most.
| Question | Answer | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Plumbers' warranty insurance | $50,000 per compliance certificate for domestic work, $100,000 for non-domestic, lasting 6 years after completion. Plus $5 million public liability. | Official source |
| Building designer PI minimum | $1.5 million per claim and in total (defence costs inside the limit), or $1 million + $500,000 for defence costs. At least one automatic reinstatement. | Official source |
| Electrical apprentice supervision | Mandatory since 1 September 2025. First-years: 1:1 direct supervision. Broad supervision: up to 5 apprentices per supervisor. General-supervision and mixed-group ratios are in section 8 of Energy Safe's requirements. | Official source Confirm first |
| WorkCover declaration (smaller payrolls) | Payroll of $200,000 or less: declare by March 2027 (last year: 20 March). Over $200,000: 24 October 2026. The date on your renewal notice is the one that counts. | Industry source |
| Domestic contracts changes start date | Originally 1 December 2026 at the latest. A delay was passed in September 2026 and the new date hasn't been confirmed. | Confirm first |
| Home warranty premium deadline | 10 business days after the contract is signed, or before work starts — whichever comes first. | Official source |
| WHS or OHS in Victoria? | OHS. Victoria never adopted the national WHS laws. The rules are the OHS Act 2004 and OHS Regulations 2017, enforced by WorkSafe Victoria. More below. | Official source |
The Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC)
The BPC started on 1 July 2025. It merged the Victorian Building Authority (VBA), Domestic Building Dispute Resolution Victoria and the government's domestic building insurance business into one regulator. Existing VBA registrations and licences carried over automatically and stay valid until the expiry date on your card. Lodgements, including plumbing compliance certificates, still go through VBA360.
Buyer protection reforms — in force from 1 July 2026
| Reform | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Home warranty insurance | The BPC is now the only home warranty insurer for contracts signed from 1 July 2026. Homeowners can claim first, without having to show the builder has died, disappeared or gone insolvent. Covers work over $20,000, up to $400,000 per home: 6 years for major defects, 2 years for other defects. |
| Rectification orders | The BPC can order builders, subcontractors and developers to fix defective, incomplete or non-compliant work up to 10 years after completion — including work finished before July 2026. |
| Minimum financial requirements | Domestic builders must hold net assets of at least 5% of their approved building capacity, and tell the BPC within 5 business days if they can't pay their debts as they fall due. Above $2 million capacity, an independent accountant must prepare or review the financials. |
| Developer bond | 2% of build cost for apartment buildings over 3 storeys, for building permits issued after 1 July 2027. |
Coming next
- By 1 December 2027: the Building and Plumbing Administration and Enforcement Act 2026 starts. It adds liability for company directors, anti-phoenixing powers, and raises the major domestic building contract threshold from $10,000 to $20,000. Until then, $10,000 is still the threshold.
- 1 February 2027: building manuals are required for new Class 1b, 2 and 3 buildings.
Plumbers
Insurance
Licensed plumbers must hold this cover under the 2002 Ministerial Orders. Registered-only plumbers don't need it.
| Cover | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Public and products liability | $5,000,000 any one occurrence (also required for Type B gasfitting) |
| Warranty — domestic work | $50,000 per compliance certificate. A policy with a total cap of $50,000 doesn't comply. |
| Warranty — non-domestic work | $100,000 per compliance certificate |
| How long | 6 years after the work is completed |
Compliance certificates
- Required for work valued at $750 or more, counting labour, materials and GST, no matter who supplied the materials.
- Required at any value for below-ground sanitary drains, Type A gas appliance work, consumer gas piping and cooling towers.
- Give the certificate to the customer and lodge it with the BPC within 5 days of finishing the work.
- You can't hold back a certificate because the customer hasn't paid.
Supervising apprentices
There's no set ratio for plumbing. A licensed plumber can only supervise in the classes they're licensed in, and must either be present and directing the work, or set the method and inspect the work — taking into account the risk and the worker's experience.
Electricians (Energy Safe Victoria)
Apprentice supervision
Energy Safe's supervision requirements became mandatory on 1 September 2025. Before that, the ratios were only recommendations. Both the employer (including a Registered Electrical Contractor) and the licensed electrician assigned to supervise are responsible.
| Stage | Supervision | Ratio |
|---|---|---|
| 1st year | All electrical installation work under direct supervision | 1 supervisor : 1 apprentice |
| 2nd year | More tasks allowed under general supervision; high-risk tasks stay direct | Confirm first |
| 3rd year | More general supervision, some broad | Confirm first |
| 4th / final year | Most tasks can be under broad supervision | Up to 5 apprentices per supervisor |
The ratios only apply while the apprentice is doing electrical installation work — not tasks like drilling holes or digging trenches. Older recommended ratios (2 under direct, 4 under general) still circulate online; don't rely on them.
Registered Electrical Contractors
- Registration lasts up to 5 years. The nominee must be an A-grade licensed electrician.
- Public liability of at least $5 million, in the contractor's registered name. Contracting without it is an offence.
Certificates of Electrical Safety
- Non-prescribed work: give copies to the customer within 1 month of completion.
- Prescribed work: a licensed inspector must inspect within 8 business days; the customer gets a copy within 16 calendar days of completion.
Solar and batteries: the New Energy Tech Consumer Code
The updated New Energy Tech Consumer Code (NETCC) starts on 1 December 2026. It applies to Approved Sellers of solar, batteries and other new energy tech, and to the installers, designers and other businesses working on their behalf. Industry source
The six key changes
- A site-specific plan and estimate. Every quote for a configured or installed system needs a plan for the actual site and a performance estimate based on its conditions, not a generic layout or brochure figure. (Cl 17)
- Design fees and cancellation rights. If you charge for a custom plan, design or estimate, say what it costs and whether it's refundable. If the plan is part of an initial contract, tell the customer about their 10-business-day cancellation right and record the date you gave them the plan. (Cl 18–19, 46)
- Sign before installation. The contract and every variation, including design changes, must be signed before installation starts. A verbal OK on site isn't enough. (Cl 25)
- Advertising rules cover quotes and contracts. Performance, savings, payback and product claims in quotes and agreements must be supportable, balanced and not misleading. (Cl 3)
- Fees and refunds spelled out. List non-refundable fees and reasonable incurred expenses in the quote or contract. Don't assume you can deduct anything that wasn't clearly disclosed. (Cl 18–19, 37, 46–49)
- The supply chain is accountable. Code responsibility reaches installers, designers, manufacturers and service providers acting for the seller, so update partner terms, training and checks. (Cl 63)
Before the customer signs
- Use site-specific drawings and performance estimates, and state the assumptions, limitations and seasonal variation.
- Itemise design fees, non-refundable amounts and cancellation rights.
- Name the suppliers, with contact details for products, installation and services.
- Make sure the plan reflects the actual roof, equipment locations, switchboard, network constraints and any existing new energy tech.
- For strata sites, get and record the Owners Corporation's written consent.
Before installation starts
- Verify the final contract and every variation are signed.
- Match the installer's work pack to the signed design, equipment and site plan.
- Hold the job if anything changes, until a signed variation comes back.
At handover, and records to keep
- Give the customer the system ratings, commissioning date and equipment locations; an itemised equipment list with model descriptions and serial numbers; operating instructions; and the manufacturers' documents.
- Keep signed contracts, variations, plans, estimates and customer records, plus relevant business and training records, for at least 5 years. (Cl A21(e))
This is a summary of the NETCC's own update guide, not the full Code. Read it with the Code itself, or contact the NETCC team at info@newenergytech.org.au.
Building designers and draftspersons
Professional indemnity insurance is set by the Building Practitioners' and Endorsed Building Engineers' Insurance Ministerial Order. For architectural, interior and services design:
- $1,500,000 any one claim and in the aggregate, where defence costs are included in the limit; or
- $1,000,000 any one claim and in the aggregate plus $500,000 for defence costs, where defence costs sit outside the limit.
- At least one automatic reinstatement.
Since February 2020, policies may exclude claims about non-compliant or high-risk external cladding.
Domestic building contracts — what's changing
When the changes start:
- Deposits and progress payments will be set by regulations, with different limits depending on how much of the job uses modern methods of construction (prefab and modular). Current deposit limits: 10% for contracts under $20,000, 5% for $20,000 or more.
- Cost escalation clauses will only be allowed on contracts over $1 million (up from $500,000), capped at 5%.
- Builder–developer contracts will lose several consumer protections, such as cooling-off and deposit limits.
- Variations will need a stricter process, and certain variations must be in writing, in English and legible.
The $10,000 to $20,000 threshold change is a separate law, due by 1 December 2027.
Home warranty premium — when is it due?
For contracts signed from 1 July 2026, the builder must pay the premium to the BPC within 10 business days after the contract is signed, or before building work starts — whichever comes first.
- If a variation takes a contract to $20,000 or more, the premium is due within 10 business days of the variation being signed.
- Penalties are about $102,000 for an individual and about $509,000 for a company.
- The homeowner is covered even if the builder hasn't paid.
Contracts signed before 1 July 2026: you can't take any money, including the deposit, until domestic building insurance is in place, and the owner must get a copy of the policy within 7 days of it being issued.
If you employ people
WorkCover (WorkSafe Victoria)
- Register if you pay, or expect to pay, over $7,500 a year in wages — or any amount if you employ apprentices or trainees. You have 60 days after you first become eligible.
- Declare your actual wages each year by the date on your renewal notice. For this cycle: over $200,000 by 24 October 2026; $200,000 or less by March 2027.
- If your wages are running more than 20% over your estimate, tell WorkSafe within 28 days.
- Some contractors count as workers, so their pay counts towards your WorkCover wages.
More on this cycle’s dates: WorkCover wage declaration 2026: who declares by 24 October.
Payroll tax
Tax-free threshold is $1 million a year. The rate is 4.85% (1.2125% for regional employers).
Super
- The super guarantee is 12%.
- Payday Super started 1 July 2026: super must reach the fund within 7 business days of each payday. The Small Business Superannuation Clearing House has closed.
- Contractors paid mainly for their labour count as employees for super, even if they have an ABN.
Tax reporting
Taxable payments annual report (TPAR): due 28 August if you're mainly in building and construction and pay contractors.
SWMS, White Cards, incident notices and site safety checks are in Safety (OHS) below.
Getting paid (Security of Payment)
Major changes started on 15 April 2026. You can now claim variations, latent conditions and delay costs; you can make a claim every month; and you can claim up to 6 months after completion. Payment is due within 20 business days at most. The other party has 10 business days to respond with a payment schedule.
Safety (OHS): Victoria’s version of WHS
Victoria is the only state that never adopted the national model WHS laws. Safety at work comes under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 and the OHS Regulations 2017, and WorkSafe Victoria enforces them. If a template, course or app talks about “WHS” or a “PCBU”, it was written for another state. Victoria says “employer”, and some of the numbers are different. Official source
When something goes wrong
- Notifiable incidents (a death, a serious injury, or a dangerous occurrence such as a collapse or a plant failure): call WorkSafe straight away on 13 23 60, any time of day.
- Send the written notice within 48 hours, and keep a copy for at least 5 years. Inspectors, the injured person and your health and safety rep can ask to see it.
- Don’t disturb the site until an inspector arrives or tells you otherwise. You can still help an injured person or make the site safe.
Industry source Confirm first Sources differ on whether the 48 hours runs from the incident or from your phone call. Treat it as 48 hours from the incident.
SWMS and high-risk construction work
- A safe work method statement is required before any of the 19 kinds of high-risk construction work starts, such as a fall risk over 2 metres, work near powered mobile plant, or a trench deeper than 1.5 metres. Official source
- Review the SWMS whenever the work or the controls change, and after any incident.
- Keep it on site and available for as long as the work runs.
Principal contractors: projects of $350,000 or more
- A construction project costing $350,000 or more, including labour, materials and GST, must have one principal contractor.
- The principal contractor prepares a health and safety coordination plan before work starts and keeps it up to date until the work is finished.
- The national WHS laws use $250,000 and call it a “WHS management plan”. Neither applies in Victoria.
Industry source
Cards and licences for your people
- White Card: construction induction in Victoria must be done face to face with an approved RTO. Official source The card doesn’t expire, but a refresher is recommended for anyone back after 2 or more years away from the industry. Industry source
- High risk work licences (forklift, EWP over 11 metres, scaffolding, rigging, dogging, cranes): renew every 5 years through myWorkSafe. Official source
Psychological health
New regulations started on 1 December 2025. Employers must identify, assess and control psychosocial hazards, such as bullying, aggression, sexual harassment, traumatic events and excessive job demands. They must also review the controls when the work changes, after complaints or incidents, or when a health and safety rep asks. The duty covers employees, contractors and labour-hire workers. The final regulations dropped the proposed written prevention plans and reporting to WorkSafe. WorkSafe’s prevention plan template is optional, but it’s a good way to show you’ve done the work. Industry source
Recurring checks worth a reminder
| Check | How often | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Test and tag tools and leads on construction sites (AS/NZS 3012) | At least every 3 months | Industry source |
| Portable RCDs | Push-button test daily; trip-time test every 3 months | Industry source |
| Construction wiring and switchboards (visual inspection) | At least every 6 months | Industry source |
| Scaffolds where someone could fall more than 4 metres | Before first use, after repairs or an incident, and at least every 30 days | Confirm first |
| Hearing tests for anyone who must wear hearing protection | Within 3 months of starting that work, then at least every 2 years | Industry source |
| High risk work licences | Renew every 5 years | Official source |
| Psychosocial hazard controls | When work changes, after complaints or incidents, or when your health and safety rep asks | Industry source |
| Incident notification records | Keep for 5 years | Industry source |
The 30-day scaffold figure comes from the national scaffold inspection guide. Victoria’s rule is in the OHS Regulations 2017 and WorkSafe’s scaffolding guidance, so check those before relying on it.
Key dates
| Date | What's due |
|---|---|
| 1 October 2026 | Last day for the 3% WorkCover early-payment discount |
| 24 October 2026 | WorkCover wage declaration — payrolls over $200,000 |
| 1 December 2026 | Updated New Energy Tech Consumer Code starts for solar and battery Approved Sellers |
| 1 December 2026 | Original latest start date for domestic contracts changes Confirm first |
| 1 February 2027 | Building manuals for new Class 1b, 2 and 3 buildings |
| March 2027 | WorkCover wage declaration — payrolls of $200,000 or less (check your renewal notice) |
| 1 July 2027 | Developer bond applies to new building permits |
| 28 August 2027 | TPAR due |
| By 1 December 2027 | Administration and Enforcement Act starts, including the $20,000 contract threshold |
| Every job | Home warranty premium within 10 business days; plumbing certificates within 5 days; electrical certificates within 1 month; super within 7 business days of payday |
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Sources
Rules change. Always check the regulator's current guidance before acting.
- BPC — plumber insurance requirements
- BPC — plumbing compliance certificates
- BPC — home warranty insurance
- BPC — what builders need to know about new insurance
- BPC — minimum financial requirements
- BPC — Security of Payment
- Building Practitioners' Insurance Ministerial Order (PDF)
- Energy Safe — effective supervision requirements
- Energy Safe — apprentice supervision FAQ
- Energy Safe — Registered Electrical Contractors
- Energy Safe — Certificates of Electrical Safety
- New Energy Tech Consumer Code — the updated Code
- Consumer Affairs Victoria — domestic building contract laws
- Planning Victoria — building reform
- HIA — buyer protection and insurance laws
- WorkSafe — how remuneration works
- WorkSafe — do I need to register?
- WorkSafe — SWMS
- WorkSafe — incident notification under the OHS Act
- WorkSafe — high risk work licences
- WorkSafe — construction induction training (White Card)
- WorkSafe — psychological health regulations
- MinterEllison — Victoria’s psychosocial health regulations
- Sprintlaw — principal contractors in Victoria
- NT WorkSafe — testing electrical equipment on construction sites (AS/NZS 3012)
- WorkSafe Tasmania — RCDs on construction sites
- Safe Work Australia — scaffold inspection guide (PDF)
- State Revenue Office — payroll tax rates
- ATO — Payday Super deadlines
- ATO — taxable payments annual report