Notify BPC about a residential apartment building

From 1 July 2026, developers of some residential apartment buildings must notify BPC before building work is completed and before an occupancy permit is issued.

This requirement applies to relevant building permits issued before and after 1 July 2026.

Who needs to notify BPC

The developer must notify BPC.

For this requirement, the developer is generally the owner of the land where the apartment building is being built at the time the notification is submitted.

What buildings this applies to

You must notify BPC if the project is for a residential apartment building that:

• includes 2 or more homes
• is more than 3 storeys high
• is a Class 2 building, or includes a Class 2 part, under the Building Code of Australia.

In simple terms, this usually means multi-storey apartment buildings, or mixed-use buildings that include apartments, where the building is more than 3 storeys high.

Some buildings, or parts of buildings, may be excluded under the regulations.

When you need to notify BPC

In most cases, you must notify BPC at least 6 months before:

• the building work is completed, and
• an occupancy permit is issued.

If the total construction period is less than 6 months, you must notify BPC at least 30 days before the building work is completed and an occupancy permit is issued.

You should notify BPC as early as possible if you think this requirement applies to your project.

The occupancy permit application date, for a residential apartment building, means the date on which an application for an occupancy permit is made in respect of the residential apartment building.

When a further Notice must be given

If the developer of a residential apartment building becomes aware of a change in circumstances which affect the date on which an application for an occupancy permit will be made in respect of the residential apartment building, the developer must give a further Notice within 5 business days of becoming aware of the change in circumstances.

A business day means a day that is not:

• a Saturday or Sunday
• a day that is wholly or partly observed as a public holiday throughout Victoria.

How to notify BPC

You will need to complete the residential apartment building notification form

Before you submit

Before submitting the form, check that:

• the project details are correct
• the expected completion and occupancy permit dates are accurate
• you have attached any required documents
• the information has been reviewed by the relevant people involved in the project.

After you notify BPC

BPC will review the notification and may contact you if more information is needed.

Submitting a notification does not replace any other building permit, inspection or occupancy permit requirement.

Failure to comply with Notice requirements

Heavy penalties can apply for a failure to provide a Notice within the required time.

A fine of up to 500 penalty units, in the case of a natural person and up to 2500 penalty units, in the case of a body corporate can apply.