Members are encouraged to use the HIA’s Contracts Online system for the purchase of any new Victorian domestic building contracts. Using Contracts Online will ensure that you are using the latest version.

If you are seeking a printed copy of the new contracts please contact our Contracts and Compliance team on 1300 650 620 who can assist you.

You must pay the insurance premium to the Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC) before the first of the following occurs:

(a) 10 business days elapse after the day on which the contract is signed; or  

(b) the building works start.

FRHWS is available now from the BPC portal.

No. Members should not use any hard-copy HIA contracts printed before 1 July 2026 and should return any unused hard copy contracts to us to receive COL credits. The reason for this is that changes that commence 1 July 2026 must be incorporated in all Victorian domestic building contracts signed from that date.

HIA does not recommend using special conditions to amend existing contracts. However, if required, please contact our Contracts and Compliance team for assistance. Our preference is for you to return any existing hard copies for credits.

For contracts signed on or after 1 July, the requirement to pay the insurance premium is no longer linked to payment of the deposit, rather it starts as soon as the contract has been signed.

For this reason, HIA advises members not to send clients signed contracts until the client is in a position to pay the deposit. HIA has also amended our contracts to require clients pay the deposit with 5 business days of signing to ensure the member has the resources to pay the FRHWS premium.

For contracts signed prior to 1 July 2026 where no deposit has been paid before that date see below.

HIA has been advised by the Department of Transport and Planning that DBI policies will continue to be available for purchase from the BPC for domestic building contracts entered into before 1 July 2026.

HIA advisers members to seek advice from a legal professional to determine if the contract would be considered “entered into” in these circumstances and whether DBI or FRHWS is required.

HIA advises members not to send clients signed contracts until the client is in a position to pay the deposit. The reason for this is that once the contract is signed FRHWS insurance premium must be purchased by the builder within 10 business days.  HIA has also amended our contracts to require clients pay the deposit with 5 business days of signing to ensure the member has the funds to pay the FRHWS premium.

The builder has 10 days to pay the premium as soon as the contract has been entered into, even if the build date has not yet been finalised.

HIA recommends builders consult with a legal professional if the builder wishes to use a preliminary agreement or some other form of preconstruction agreement to secure a client. This is because builders may face significant penalties.