Compliance and Enforcement Policy Framework

See the Prosecution and Disciplinary register for all disciplinary proceedings in which a building industry professional, building company or plumber has been found:

• to have contravened the Building Act, the Building or Plumbing Regulations, and/or the Domestic Building Contracts Act.
• to be no longer fit to practice in the industry.

Key enforcement activities

Key enforcement activities include:

• Investigating incidents and alleged offences under the Building Act 1993 (the Act) and associated regulations.
• Holding practitioners accountable for breaches of building and plumbing standards and regulations through disciplinary action.
• Engaging in prosecution arising from compliance actions to ensure decisions are upheld and enforcement is effective.
• Communicating significant risks and enforcement action against practitioners to the public to increase public awareness and safety.

Compliance and enforcement approach

A risk-based approach is applied using our resources to achieve maximum positive impact on industry compliance. This includes addressing rogue or poor-performing practitioners, targeting harms arising from non-compliant work and focusing on emerging building practices with the highest risk of harm. We address patterns of misconduct and non-compliance strategically and effectively. Read more about our compliance and enforcement approach.

The Compliance and Enforcement Policy Framework explains how the regulator enforces compliance in building and plumbing work. It sets out how the regulator uses its powers under the Act to protect consumers and improve building safety in Victoria.

Prosecutions are a key measure in the enforcement framework. For more information, see prosecutions and injunctions.

Commitment to compliance and enforcement

We take a proactive approach focused on consumer outcomes. This involves improving the performance of building practitioners, endorsed building engineers, and licensed and registered plumbers.

By leveraging its regulatory powers, the BPC promotes compliance and acts decisively against non-compliance and illegal building and plumbing work. Practitioners are expected to maintain their competency and fulfill their technical and legal obligations, benefiting consumers through the BPC’s enforcement of standards.

Promoting safety and compliance

Through enforcement actions, we not only address individual cases of non-compliance but also reinforce the broader regulatory framework, so that building and plumbing work across Victoria adheres to the highest standards. These actions are aimed at preventing future violations and continuously improving industry standards, protecting both the integrity of the built environment and consumer outcomes.

We remain committed to a fair but firm regulatory approach that supports industry compliance while acting against those who fail to meet legal and professional standards.