{{ propApi.closeIcon }}
Our industry
Our industry $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Housing industry insights Economics Insights Data & forecasts Tailored research & analysis Advocacy & policy Advocacy Policy priorities Position statements Submissions News & inspiration Industry news Member alerts Media releases HOUSING Online
Business support
Business support $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
For your business Contracts Online Safety systems & solutions HIA Tradepass Advertise jobs Member perks Toyota vehicles The Good Guys Commercial Ampol fuel savings See all Industry insurance HIA Insurance Services Construction works insurance Home warranty insurance Tradies & tool insurance Apprentices Why host a HIA apprentice? Hire an apprentice Support & guidance Contracts & compliance support Building & planning services
Resources & advice
Resources & advice $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Building it right Building codes Australian standards Getting it right on site See all Building materials & products Concrete, bricks & walls Getting products approved Use the right products for the job See all Managing your business Dealing with contracts Handling disputes Managing your employees See all Managing your safety Safety rules Working with silica See all Building your business Growing your business Maintaining your business See all Other subjects Getting approval to build Sustainable homes See all
Careers & learning
Careers & learning $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
A rewarding career Become an apprentice Apprenticeships on offer How do I apply? Frequently asked questions Study with us Find a course to suit you Qualification courses Learning on demand Professional development courses A job in the industry Get your builder's licence Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Further your career Find jobs
HIA community
HIA community $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Join HIA Sign me up How do I become a member? What's in it for me? Mates rates Get involved Become an award judge Join a committee Partner with us Our initiatives HIA Building Women GreenSmart Kitchen, bathroom & design hub Get to know us Our members Our people Our partners Support for you Charitable Foundation Mental health program
Awards & events
Awards & events $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Awards Awards program People & Business Awards GreenSmart Australian Housing Awards Awards winners Regional Award winners Australian Housing Award winners 2024 Australian Home of the Year Enter online Industry events Events in the next month Economic outlook National Conference Events calendar
HIA shop
HIA shop $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Most popular products National Construction Code Vol 1 & 2 Waterproofing wet areas AS 3740:2021 HIA Guide to Waterproofing HIA Guide to NCC Livable Housing Provisions Top categories Building codes & standards Contracts & documents Guides & manuals Safety products Signage For your business Contracts Online Digital Australian Standards Digital Resource Library Forecasts & data
About Contact Newsroom
$vuetify.icons.faTimes
$vuetify.icons.faMapMarker Set my location Use the field below to update your location
Address
Change location
{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.text}} {{region}} Change location
{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change location

$vuetify.icons.faPhone1300 650 620

Building consultants for residential building work

This policy states that HIA supports licensing of building consultant who provide advice to consumers with respect to residential building work.

HIA’s Position statement

  1. HIA supports the licensing or registration of building consultant.
  2. A building consultant is a person engaged directly by a client, or through an agent acting on behalf of a client to review building work completed.
  3. A building consultant provides the services of a building, pre-purchase and/or handover inspection including:
    • carrying out residential building inspections
    • preparing inspection, pre-completion, defect or similar reports, and
    • providing advice on remedial/rectification work/costs.
  4. A building consultant should:
    • have experience appropriate to the type of work they are inspecting
    • hold qualifications and competency appropriate to the type of work they are inspecting
    • hold appropriate PI insurance
    • be able to be held accountable for the observations, conclusions and recommendations outlined in their reports
    • be required to maintain knowledge of current building codes and standards, and
    • comply with all regulatory safety standards.

    Inspection reports

  5. When defects are identified by a building consultant during an inspection on behalf of a consumer they must be substantiated by reference to supporting documentation and evidence.
  6. Supporting documentation and evidence includes, but is not limited to, details on the relevant requirements from:
    • The National Construction Code and referenced Australian Standards.
    • Manufacturer’s instructions or specifications.
    • Government or industry guides to standards and tolerances.

    Background

    • Building consultants are now common place in the residential building industry, providing a range of services to purchasers of new and established homes, and contracting directly with consumers.
    • While building consultants provide pre-purchase property inspection reports for existing homes, a large portion of their work relates to the provision of pre-purchase inspections and reports for partly constructed or recently completed homes.
    • Building consultants are regularly engaged by clients during the building process, to act as the client’s representative in inspecting stage completions, to provide a defects/inspection report at practical completion, and/or to prepare a report prior to the expiration of the cooling off period.
    • Their influence on both the payment claim process and a client’s confidence (state of mind) can be substantial, despite many not having appropriate qualifications or experience in a relevant building, construction or engineering trade or profession.
    • There is currently no requirement in any jurisdiction that a building consultant be licensed or hold any formal qualifications, meaning there is limited regulatory control in relation to quality of advice, service standards, business conduct and discipline.

Policy endorsed by HIA National Policy Congress: May 2015; Re-endorsed with amendments 2020 (title change).

Share with your network:
More articles on:
{{ tag.label }} {{ tag.label }} $vuetify.icons.faTimes
Find the latest expert advice, guides and much more!
HIA Advocacy
View all $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
31 Mar
Consultation on the ban of engineered stone

HIA took the opportunity to provide a submission to Safe Work Australia in response to the consultation on the review of the ban of engineered stone in Australia implemented by the Model WHS Amendment (Engineered Stone) Regulation 2024.

28 Mar
Addressing corporate misuse of the Fair Entitlements Guarantee - Discussion Paper

HIA responded to February’s ‘Addressing corporate misuse of the Fair Entitlements Guarantee' Discussion Paper released by DEWR. The consultation process is considering options for targeted law reform to address issues and safeguard the sustainability of the Fair Entitlements Guarantee program.

21 Mar
Livable housing requirements in NSW discussion paper

HIA responded to the Discussion Paper on Livable Housing Requirements in NSW, released by Building Commission NSW as part of a review into whether the current NSW exemption to the NCC livable housing design standards remains appropriate.

17 Mar
Work Health and Safety Regulation Consultation

The HIA takes this opportunity to respond to the Discussion Paper on the Work Health and Safety Regulation Consultation released by the Department of Customer Service as part of the review of the NSW Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017.

11 Mar
Off-the-Plan Contracts and Obsolete Restrictive Covenants

The Housing Industry Association (HIA) takes this opportunity to respond to the Discussion Paper (Paper) on the review of Contracts and Covenants released by the Office of Registrar General on 22 January 2025. The Paper explores potential reforms to laws governing off-the-plan contracts and covenants.

06 Mar
Review of the Fair Work Act Small Business Employer Definition

HIA refers to the December 2024 Review of the Fair Work Act Small Business Employer Definition - Consultation Paper released by the Fair Work Ombudsman as part of the review of the Fair Work Act 2009 definition of 'small business employer'.