Using the referrals portal

Be prepared before you start

• Understand what's required for referring enforcement tools or inspection notifications. This includes the material you need to prepare and the statements you may need to write.
• Please have all the required documentation and information ready before you start.
• You will need the relevant permit number prior to the submission process. This will ensure the right information populates the record.

Checklist for DTF and BO referrals

Before referring a Direction to Fix or Building Order to the BPC use this checklist to review your documents for accuracy and completeness.

Address other non-compliances

The portal cannot be used to report non-compliances that are not related to statutory referrals.

If you detect other non-compliances, you can still report them by emailing complaints@bpc.vic.gov.au.

This could include any contravention that would not form part of a statutory referral, such as:

• building beyond the permit
• not completing protection works
• plans that continually fail to demonstrate compliance.

Reports may be used as intelligence about the practitioner, or for direct action if appropriate. The building surveyor still has the primary enforcement role.

User access

Following legal requirements, only the Relevant Building surveyor (RBS) can submit a referral.

The portal may permit other staff to prepare a referral and to make the lodgement. However, the RBS is accountable for overseeing the lodgement and must make a declaration when it is submitted by them directly or via their agent.

You can use their existing account details

1. For users who have access to the BPC portal, login as usual
2. From the main screen, select the Statutory referrals tile.
3. From the Make a statutory referral page, identify the required form to be submitted.

In all cases, the building permit details can be prefilled when you provide the permit number or address:

• Permit details
• Site address
• Builders name
• Owners name

Example of portal steps

You will need to make statements to explain the referral. The required statements depend on the submission type. These statements can be primary evidence to support BPC enforcement action or to make the referral valid. See the advice for referring to enforcement tools or for inspection notifications.

It is important to be prepared prior to commencing the lodgement process to respond to each question. The BPC needs this information to assess and manage the referral.

Supporting documentation - quick reference

For a DTF or Building Order

You will usually need to include these documents with your referral:

• A copy of the DTF or building order (and related building notices)
• Method and proof of service
• A copy of the building permit, including amendments
• Any relevant reference documents, including photographs (if applicable)
• Evidence of property ownership, such as the title (for Building Orders)
• Records relating to builder or owner responses and actions

For a s33 inspection notification

You will usually need to include these documents with your referral:

• Records related to appointing the relevant or designated building surveyor
• A copy of the building permit, including any amendments
• Any relevant reference documents that show the scope and stages of the work
• Evidence relating to the failure to notify or stop
• Evidence supporting written or oral directions to stop work (for example, inspection records or file notes)
• Copies or related enforcement actions or tools (if applicable) and their service