Building Permit Fee and Building Permit Levy Reimbursement for bushfire affected properties

There are currently two reimbursemnet programs for bushfire affected properties, one allows residents to claim back the (1) Building Permit Fee,  the other the (2) Building Permit Levy.

The Building Permit Fee Reimbursement Program is a Victorian Government program that is complimentary to the Building Commission's Building Permit Levy reimbursement initiative.  

Below you will find information on how you can utlise both programs.

(1) Building Permit Fee Reimbursement Program for bushfire affected properties

The Victorian Government is ensuring that those who have taken the steps to rebuilding on their fire-affected properties are reimbursed for the fees paid to private building surveyors.

The Building Permit Fee Reimbursement Program is designed to allow bushfire affected property owners who have engaged private building surveyors to issue building permits on their properties to claim the cost of the fees paid for this service (up to a specified limit).

Simply download and complete a  Claim Form (1.05MB), attach copies of the relevant surveyor receipts and/or invoices, and submit to Local Government Victoria at:

      Building Permit Reimbursements
      Local Government Victoria
      GPO Box 2392
      Melbourne VIC 3001

Further information regarding the Building Permit Fee Reimbursement Program can be found at the Local Government Victoria website, or you can contact Local Government Victoria directly on 1300 493 792.

(2) Building Permit Levy Reimbursement for those affected by the 2009 bushfires

The Victorian Government is making sure those who have had to re-build their homes or other domestic buildings are reimbursed for their building permit levy. 

Am I or my client eligible?

The grant of relief applies to an amount equivalent to the building permit levy paid for rebuilding or partial rebuilding of the homeowner's principal place of residence, private garage, carport, domestic shed or the like, as a result of the January/February bushfires.*

*Certain conditions will apply: You will not be eligible where the building permit levy will be paid by, or the payment reimbursed by, an insurer.

How do I claim the reimbursement?

Its a simple process:

• The application for relief must be made in writing by completing the form Statement in relation to bushfire affected property, which is part of the brochure  Your building permit levy will be reimbursed if you were affected by the bushfires in Janury/February 2009 (1.06MB) available to download here.
  
• The completed statement must be forwarded to the Building Commission
  
  Building Commission
  Reply Paid
  536 MELBOURNE VIC 8060

Please note: Due to legislation we cannot pre-pay the building permit levy for you, you must pay first then we can reimburse you. There is a legal requirement in the Building Act 1993 that the building permit levy must be paid before the building permit is issued.

How will the reimbursement be paid?

There are two ways the reimbursement will be paid. The payment of the building permit levy to the relevant building surveyor and subsequent grant of relief payment, in the form of reimbursement of the building permit levy paid, can either be made in the following circumstances:

Method A

The owner of the property makes payment of the building permit levy to the relevant building surveyor.

The owner completes the Statement in relation to bushfire affected property, which is then forwarded to the Commission. Upon receipt of the Statement
in relation to bushfire affected property the Commission will then consider the basis of the application and whether it will make the relief payment directly to the owner.

Method B

The payment of the building permit levy is made by a person or bodyother than the owner of the property or insurer (a municipal council).

The owner completes the Statement in relation to bushfire affected property which is then forwarded to the Commission. Upon receipt of the Statement in relation to bushfire affected property the Commission will then consider the basis of the
application and whether it will make the relief payment directly to the nominated third party.