In Victoria, Domestic Building Insurance (DBI) is legally required for all domestic building projects over $16,000.
- Builders must take out DBI before asking for or receiving any payment under a major domestic building contract.
- Failing to do this is against the law and can lead to heavy fines – over $46,000 for individuals or up to $480,000 for companies if done knowingly or recklessly.
If you’re a builder and want to get DBI through the Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC):
- You must first be eligible.
- To apply, contact one of our approved distributors.
Eligibility
Eligibility outlines the terms of approval to purchase DBI under certain conditions.
It tells us:
- The types of projects they're allowed to get insurance coverage for.
- The maximum value for each project type.
Builders must have eligibility before they purchase DBI for a job.
Read the assessment of eligibility.
Apply for DBI eligibility
To apply for DBI eligibility:
- Contact a DBI Distributor and ask for an Eligibility Application form.
- Complete the form and include the required supporting documents.
- Submit everything to your chosen DBI Distributor.
Purchase and manage DBI through BuildVic
BuildVic is the online portal builders use to purchase and manage DBI. Through BuildVic you can:
- Get a Letter of eligibility.
- Purchase Certificates of Insurance.
- Apply to Review your:
- Overall Construction Limit
- Individual Job Limits.
To use BuildVic, you must first nominate a DBI Distributor.
After you submit your eligibility application, your nominated distributor will assess it.
If approved, you’ll receive an email with your BuildVic login details.
Please contact your nominated DBI Distributor for updates on the status of your application.