Licensing and registration reforms

The BPC has started implementing long-overdue reforms to its licensing and registration processes.

We’re shifting to a trust and verify approach, which will fast-track high-quality applications while keeping scrutiny proportionate to the specific application.

These changes will:

• reduce the paperwork required
• allow low-risk registration categories to be granted based on documentation alone
• introduce earlier assessments to identify risk
• provide quicker yes or no decisions.

Modernising registration to strengthen integrity

Registration is fundamental to a strong regulatory system. Our new licensing and registration model is designed to be modern, efficient and transparent, while strengthening integrity across the sector.

Recent reforms to the former VBA system include removing face-to-face interviews to reduce human bias and protect against corruption.

A more objective assessment approach

We continue to verify that applicants have the prescribed qualifications, practical experience and meet financial and personal probity requirements.

However, instead of an interview, applicants will now complete an exam that is:

• more objective
• more consistent
• more rigorous.
• tailored to the knowledge and experience required for each class of registration.

Rolling out the new exam process

In January 2026, we began rolling out the updated assessment model, starting with Domestic Builder Unlimited (DB-U) exams. The new single exam replaces both the face-to-face interview and the plan-based exam.

Over the coming months, this approach will extend to other building and plumbing registration classes. These changes aim to dramatically improve the experience of practitioners and applicants interacting with the BPC.

Delivering best-practice exams with ACER

The BPC has partnered with the Australian Council of Education Research (ACER) to design the new Domestic Builder - Unlimited (DBU) exam.

With ACER’s expertise, the new assessment process:

• aligns with industry expectations
• reflects best-practice exam design
• ensures applicants can demonstrate the skills needed to deliver safe, high-quality work for Victorians
• builds confidence in the licensing and registration system

Protecting exam integrity

To ensure the integrity of the exams is fair, consistent and secure:

• exam questions are randomised
• questions are changed frequently
• each exam is proctored by a trained professional
• additional monitoring is supported by artificial intelligence.

Exams are delivered through the BPC’s online platform, Janison, and can be undertaken 24/7.

Improvements to the licensing and registration application process

The BPC has already introduced several improvements to make the application process simpler, faster and more consistent.

Reduced paperwork for applicants

We have significantly reduced the amount of supporting material required, starting with applicants for registration in the class of Domestic Builder - Unlimited. Applicants now need to attach 7 documents instead of 40, making applications easier to complete and reducing processing times for BPC staff. This change will flow down to applications for all Domestic and Commercial builder registration classes by the end of March 2026.

Plumbing apprentice applicants also no longer need to provide certified copies of their qualifications (if Victorian), as this information is now sourced directly from the VRQA database.

A simpler online application experience

From March 2026, the online application process will be further improved to:

• providing clearer guidance on the most suitable class of registration
• ensure applicants select the category that aligns with their qualifications and experience
• reduce time spent on applications that are unlikely to be approved
• prevent applications from progressing unless all required information is supplied

These improvements will reduce back-and-forth requests for further information and streamline processing.

Moving technical referee reports online

In June 2026, the process for technical referee reports will move online.

Referees will submit their report through their personal BPC account, which will:

• speed up the assessment process
• enhance the integrity and verification of technical experience.

Application forms for Mutual Recognition will also move from PDF to an online format at the same time.

Enhancing assessment and decision-making

We are also reforming our internal systems to strengthen integrity and improve processing efficiency.

Faster allocation with auto-triaging

A new auto-triaging tool now allocates applications to either of these streams:

• higher trust
• stronger verification

This ensures high-trust applications are not delayed behind more complex cases.

More efficient insurance checks with Domestic Building Insurance are now integrated into the BPC. An insurance status can be checked much more quickly during assessment.

Stronger separation of duties

To further strengthen integrity, the Licensing and Registration team have been restructured into 2 groups:

• application assessment
• regulation decisions

This clear separation improves transparency and accountability.