From 1 November 2011 the Office of the Renewable Energy regulator will adopt AS/NZS 4234: 2008. This coincides with a change to now refer to Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) as Small-Scale Technology Certificates (STCs).
Click for more information

This information sheet provides a summary of the recent release by the Federal government of a RIS to introduce mandatory disclosure for all new homes
Click for more information

From 2011, there will be a new National Construction Code published by the Australian Building Codes Board which incorporate BCA 2011 Volumes 1 and 2, along with a new Plumbing Code of Australia.
Click for more information

From 1 May 2011, the Disability Discrimination (Access to Premises – Buildings) Standards 2010 will come into force. The Standard was published in May 2010 to provide sufficient time for the building industry to make the necessary adjustments to any current applications and building designs. The Standard is commonly referred to as the 'Premises Standard'.
Click for more information

Following the recent bushfires the government has moved to introduce higher building standards in bushfire prone areas Victoria.
Click for more information

All Australian states require all electrical work to be preformed by a licensed electrician and to comply with AS/NZS 3000 – Wiring Rules. This includes removing and re-installing a socket outlet. However, all states offer restricted licence classes to trades other than electricians
Click for more information

A set of new coastal planning controls has now come into force via an amendment to all planning schemes in Victoria and the release of the Victorian Coastal Strategy 2008. These changes now provide a degree of certainty for the Victorian development industry operating in coastal locations.
Click for more information

Building owners or building surveyors sometimes want to end their appointment arrangement or a situation may arise where the building surveyor cannot carry out his or her functions and duties under the Building Act 1993. If this situation arises, it is important to know the correct procedure to terminate the appointment of a private building surveyor.
Click for more information

The Victorian Building Regulations 2006 deadline for enhanced fire safety measures in certain buildings and the production of annual reports relating to the maintenance of essential safety measures expires on 14 June 2009. The regulation applies to Class 3 buildings that are shared accommodation buildings, for example a boarding house or backpackers residence, that were constructed by, or for which a building permit was granted before, 1 July 2003 will require an automatic fire sprinkler system throughout the building.
Click for more information

Does the company or partnership that you trade under have at least one director or partner registered in the appropriate category with the Building Practitioners Board?
Click for more information

Builders are often asked to provide a construction price for plans and specifications prepared by another person. It is important to remember that these plans may not be totally accurate in relation to construction details and/or material selection – no one is perfect.
Click for more information

HIA is receiving a high volume of enquiries about foundation problems, highlighting the need for builders to make sure their geotechnical engineer has professional indemnity insurance. There are several things you should check when obtaining a site classification from a geotechnical engineer.
Click for more information

A building permit for building work can be issued after the commencement of a new regulation, such as a change to the BCA, without the need to comply with a new regulation if the applicant can show that the design was at a certain stage already.
Click for more information

Have you had a claim of poor workmanship or non-completion of work by an existing or previous client? Do you understand the current warranty insurance provisions and what your responsibilities are under the current warranty scheme?
Click for more information

Do you every forget to check what might be underground before you start work? Do you know how to find out what’s in the ground and who owns it? This information sheet explains who to talk to and what to look out for in relation to telephone cabling.
Click for more information