Choosing to be an owner-builder

Please note: Due to recent legislative changes, the application fee for a Certificate of Consent is $87.28
(This fee change is effective from 1 July 2012).

Doing it yourself can be risky business. Get the facts on being an owner-builder.

Did you know that owner-builder take 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 every three years.

Fact: Owner-builders do not build for a profit.

Fact: Owner-builders must be an owner of the land/property.

Fact: Owner-builders must reside and continue to reside, or intend to reside in the property. 

An an owner-builder, you should learn about risks associated with:

• Asbestos and renovation, for further information visit EPA website
• Health and safety obligations, for further information visit WorkSafe website 
• Understanding your contractual obligations, for further information visit Consumer Affairs website
• Building in a bushfire prone area
• Building a swimming pool

What is 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.

What is a Certificate of Consent?

A Certificate of Consent is an individual's written approval to act as an owner-builder on their own land in the State of Victoria.

Owners who intend to apply for a building permit for domestic building work as an owner-builder must provide to the relevant building surveyor a Certificate of Consent issued by the Building Practitioners Board. 

To apply for a Certificate of Consent you will need to Request an Owner-builder Application Kit.