What happened?
On 31 March 2023, Grant Thornton Partners were officially appointed liquidators to 14 Porter Davis Homes Group entities. At that time, over 1,500 homes were under construction in Victoria and another 200 in Queensland, with an additional 779 contracts signed for future builds. Work on all active sites ceased immediately
Homeowners were advised to make contact with the liquidators to register their interest and prepare for the next steps in the claims process.
Who manages claims now?
When Porter Davis collapsed, the Victorian Managed Insurance Authority (VMIA) managed Domestic Building Insurance (DBI) claims on behalf of affected homeowners. Since 1 July 2025, all such responsibilities have transitioned to the Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC).
VMIA received nearly 1,800 DBI claims, commissioned more than 1,350 site inspections, and paid almost $4.6 million in claims by 30 June 2023.
Where things stand now
- If you lodged a DBI claim before 1 July 2025, your claim is continuing under the arrangements in place at the time. You do not need to start again.
- VMIA and now BPC have teamed up with builders such as Simonds, Metricon and Cecure to complete work for customers who lodged claims.
Understanding DBI cover
DBI provides an essential safety net in cases where builders have died, disappeared, become insolvent, or failed to comply with Tribunal or Court orders (for policies issued after mid‑2015).
Depending on the stage of your build at the time of the collapse, DBI may cover:
- Refund of deposit (if no work had begun)
- Cost to complete your build (up to an additional 20% of contract price)
- Rectification of defects (both structural and non‑structural) up to $300,000 for policies issued after 1 July 2014.
If you didn’t have DBI coverage
Some homeowners who paid tender-stage or deposit amounts without DBI were eligible for the Customer Support Payment Scheme, which provided refunds up to 5% of contract value — this scheme closed in mid‑2023. In addition, the support program has been extended to other affected builder customers whose builder failed to take out DBI between 1 July 2022 and 30 June 2023
If you weren’t covered by DBI and missed the payment scheme, you may still consider:
- registering with the liquidator as a creditor
- seeking advice from Consumer Affairs Victoria
- or getting independent legal advice.
What to do next
If you think you may be eligible for DBI or have questions about an existing claim, please contact us. We can help you check your eligibility, assist with a claim, and explain the next steps in completing your home.
Summary
Situation | What to do next |
|---|---|
You lodged a DBI claim by 1 Jul 2025 | Keep using the process set up at that time—BPC has taken over support. |
You haven’t lodged a claim, but likely have DBI | We can help check your policy and assist you in submitting a claim. |
You did not have DBI | You may still be eligible for limited support or advice. Contact us. |
The BPC is committed to supporting affected Porter Davis customers—we want to make sure you know your rights, explore your insurance options, and get the help needed to finish your home.