The Building Act 1993

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The Building Act 1993 (the Act) governs building activity in Victoria. It sets out the legislative framework for the regulation of building construction, building standards and the maintenance of specific building safety features.

The objectives of the Act are:
• To protect the safety and health of people who use buildings and places of public entertainment
• To enhance the amenity of buildings
• To promote plumbing practices which protect the safety and health of people, and the integrity of water supply and wastewater systems
• To facilitate the adoption and efficient application of national building standards and national plumbing standards
• To facilitate the cost effective construction and maintenance of buildings and plumbing systems
• To facilitate the construction of environmentally and energy efficient buildings; and
• To aid the achievement of an efficient and competitive building and plumbing industry

Part 12A of the Act sets out the legislative framework for the regulation of plumbing work in Victoria, addressing matters such as:
• The registration and licensing of plumbing practitioners
• Requirements relating to licensees self-certifying work via compliance certificates
• The establishment of the Victorian Building Authority and its responsibilities relating to the regulation of plumbing work
• The powers available to the Authority’s inspectors and auditors in monitoring and enforcing the compliance of plumbing work with all regulatory requirements.