Complaints and appeals
Usually, building projects run according to plan but building is a complex undertaking and sometimes difficulties arise in the process.
The Building Commission has a number of services available which may assist you in resolving these difficulties:
Should you wish to submit a complaint about the Building Commisssion's employees, officers or members, you can make a disclosure under the Whistleblowers Protection Act 2001. The disclosure must reveal corrupt conduct, conduct involving a substantial mismanagement of public resources or conduct involving a substantial risk to public health and safety, and safety of the environment. Any other complaint should be made in writing to the Building Commissioner.
The Building Appeals Board hears appeals and disputes in relation to building control matters and can waive, modify or vary the provisions of particular regulations based upon the particular case.
Building Advice & Conciliation Victoria (BACV), a partnership between the Building Commission and Consumer Affairs Victoria, is a new approach to domestic building dispute resolution. Both building owners and builders can call on BACV to assist in the event of a dispute about a domestic building project.
In the past 12 months, the Building Commission has investigated or reviewed the conduct of over 200 builders with a number referred for prosecution, cracking down on unprofessional building practices. A total of 24 charges were laid under the Building Act 1993,Domestic Building Contracts Act 1995 and Fair Trading Act 1999. Seven of those related to unregistered builders. The Building Commission has a Register of prosecutions and a Register of Building Practitioners Board inquiries available for viewing.
