Are you an Owner-Builder?

An owner-builder is defined as a person who constructs or renovates a domestic building on his or her own land, who is not in the business of building.

It is important to consult your building surveyor at the outset to determine if a certificate of consent is required.  This may be a private building surveyor or a municipal building surveyor.

Did you know that an owner-builder takes on all the risks and responsibilities of a registered building practitioner? Before you decide to do-it-yourself, get the facts on being an owner-builder.

• Fact: Owner-builders must obtain a Certificate of Consent for any domestic building work with a value over $12,000 in order to obtain a building permit.
  
• Fact: Owner-builders can only obtain a building permit for one home in a three year period.
  
• Fact: Owner-builders do not build for a profit (rent or sale).
  
• Fact: Owner-builders must be an owner of the land/property (must have their name on the Certificate of Title). Further information can be found on the Land Titles Office website (Certificates of Titles/Register Search Statements). Visit www.land.vic.gov.au. 
  
• Fact: Owner-builders must reside and continue to reside, or intend to reside in the property.

Get the facts - What YOU need to know about becoming an Owner-Builder

• Choosing to be an Owner-Builder
• Applying to be an Owner-Builder
• Know the risks - Risks and responsibilities of an Owner-Builder
• Fees and charges
• Owner-Builder insurance requirements
• Owner-Builder training information
• Useful contacts

Latest News

Class 10A Building
A recent investigation conducted jointly by the Building Commission and the Plumbing Industry Commission has revealed some shed companies are trying to get around the rules by telling consumers to become owner-builders when applying for a building permit and are then using or arranging for unlicensed or unregistered tradespeople to do the work. Read the  Class 10A Building Fact Sheet (111KB) for more information

Refom of regulatory service for building and construction sites
Reform of regulatory services for building and construction sites - Across the first half of 2009, LGV worked with an industry and local/state government reference group to explore how the variations between the regulatory cultures and methods of councils can impose regulatory burdens, create uncertainty, and increase costs to businesses, especially for those operating in more than one municipality.