Housing industry insights
Advocacy & policy
News & inspiration
Support & guidance
Member perks
Industry insurance
For your business
Apprentices
Building it right
Building materials & products
Managing your business
Managing your safety
Building your business
Other subjects
A rewarding career
Study with us
A job in the industry
Grow with us
Our podcasts
Our initiatives
Get involved
Awards
Awards winners
Industry events
Most popular products
Top categories
For your business
{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.text}} {{region}} Change location{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change location {{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.text}} {{region}} Change location{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change locationMember and guest login
Enter your email and password to access secured content, members only resources and discount prices.
Did you become a member online? If not, you will need to activate your account to login.
If you are having problems logging in, please call HIA helpdesk on 1300 650 620 during business hours.
Forgotten password
Need some help?
If you are having problems logging in, please call HIA helpdesk on 1300 650 620 during business hours.
If the email address you have entered is registered, you will receive an email with further instructions.
Become part of the HIA community
Enables quick and easy registration for future events or learning and grants access to expert advice and valuable resources.
Create a guest account
Enter your details below and create a login
Send me exclusive tips, early access to new launches, and special offers. I can change my mind at any time.
By clicking Get started now you agree to the terms and conditions and privacy policy.
Victorian Guide to Standards and Tolerances 2026 update
Like earlier Guides, the 2026 guide reinforces its advisory role as a technical reference for assessing building work and resolving disputes, while recognising that assessments must also consider legislation, the NCC, Australian Standards, manufacturer requirements and project-specific circumstances.
When called up in contract specifications by agreement with clients it can establish criteria for acceptance of building work commencing on or after 1 August 2026.
The guideline’s language has been amended and represents a significant shift in both language and purpose from the 2015 edition. Rather than determining whether work is "defective", the revised Guide focuses on whether building work is within or outside its tolerances. It also expressly states that assigning responsibility for rectification is beyond its scope.
Consequential damage
The 2026 Guide introduces a new section on consequential damage recognising that a failure to meet the tolerances can cause damage to other building elements (e.g. waterproofing) and reinforces that consequential damage should be considered alongside the original issue where a direct link exists.
Members should undertake steps that will help reduce the likelihood of consequential damage when notified of a failure to meet the tolerances. For example, temporarily sealing a leaking roof to prevent further damage until its cause is further investigated or the roof is permanently repaired.
Normal viewing position
The 2026 Guide expands the concept of normal viewing position, which is the distance and angle from which a building element is inspected to determine whether an imperfection is visible under normal conditions of use. A notable change is that glass is now assessed from 3 metres, rather than the general 1.5 metre viewing distance applied to most building elements.
Tolerances for building elements
The 2026 Guide includes mostly minor changes to pre-determined methods, tolerances, and measurement distances for various building elements. The table below contains a comparison of the 2015 and 2026 Guidelines:
| Setting Out | 2015 Guide | 2026 Guide | |
| External dimensions | L/200 or 5mm whichever greater |
L/200 or 10mm whichever greater |
|
| Internal dimensions | L/100 or 5mm whichever greater |
L/100 or 10mm whichever greater |
|
| Complex design limitation |
- | Does not apply to complex engineering designs including suspended, precast or tensioned slabs. |
|
| Cracks in concrete |
2mm or greater |
2mm or greater |
|
| Masonry |
|||
| Mortar |
NCC or contract specifications |
Significantly inconsistent in colour and finishing. Mortar repairs do not match as closely as practicable. |
|
| Mortar voids & holes | Visible from a normal viewing position |
Visible from a normal viewing position and exceeds 5mm in diameter. |
|
| Base bed joint |
Unexposed base bed joint exceeds 40mm |
Non-faced base row visible from normal viewing position and not consistent. |
|
| Damp proof course |
In accordance with NCC |
Does not extend through the entire masonry leaf. |
|
| Framing |
|||
| Plumbness |
Deviates >5mm across 1.8m height |
Timber deviates >5mm over a 2m height. Light steel frames deviate more than height/600 or 3mm, whichever is greater. |
|
| Straightness |
Deviates >4mm in any 2m length of wall |
Deviates >5mm from a 2m straight edge. |
|
| Roofing |
|||
| Corroded metal sheets |
Unintended corrosion unless due to lack of maintenance by owner |
Exposed to normal conditions and does not achieve the service life specified by manufacturer. |
|
| Sheet cuts |
Deviates >10mm from a 2m straight edge | ||
| Gutters water retention | Retain >10mm of water |
Retains >10mm of water and does not clear all debris that restricts flow of water. |
|
| Parapet flashings |
Minimum 3 degrees fall |
Minimum 5 degrees fall |
|
| Exposed PVC/PE pipes |
- | Not protected/shielded from direct sunlight or provided with UV protection. |
|
| Plumbing |
|||
| Water hammer |
Caused by builder’s workmanship |
If present in new installation. |
|
| Water supply fixtures |
Does not discharge into the vessel |
Do not discharge into the vessel or leak or drip within 3 months |
|
| Windows and Doors |
|||
| Installation |
Manufacturer’s instructions |
Deviates from level and plumb >5mm over 1.8m. |
|
| Distortion |
Twist or bend greater than limits in Table 8.05 |
Exceeds tolerances in Table 11.5 and within 3 months affects the operation of the door. |
|
| Glazing |
Scratches and blemishes can be seen from 1.5m |
Scratches and blemishes can be seen from 3m |
|
| Plastering |
|||
| Cracking at junctions of dissimilar materials |
1mm within 12 months 2mm after 12 months |
1mm within 12 months |
|
| Ceiling straightness |
- | Deviates >4mm from a 2m straight edge or significantly visible from a normal viewing position within 24 months. |
|
| Internal Fixing |
|||
| Seals around benches |
Joint leaks or not to manufacturer’s requirements |
Joint leaks within 6 months or not to manufacturer’s requirements. |
|
| Sealing of benchtop cut outs |
- | Timber and porous materials are not adequately sealed to prevent moisture. |
|
| Floor & Wall Tiling |
|||
| Wet area and facilities |
AS 3740 |
Water is retained after the area has drained, except for water remaining due to surface tension. Leaks from showers which are not intended to prevent the escape of water are not outside tolerance. |
|
| Cracked, pitted, chipped, scratched or loose tiles |
Exists at handover or within 24 months |
Exists at completion | |
| Movement joints |
4.5m centres or where stress is expected |
Above structural movement joints and where stress is expected. |
|
| Floor Coverings |
|||
| Wet area and facilities |
AS 3740 |
Water is retained after the area has drained, except for water remaining due to surface tension. Leaks from showers which are not intended to prevent the escape of water are not outside tolerance. |
|
| Cracked, pitted, chipped, scratched or loose tiles |
Exists at handover or within 24 months |
Exists at completion |
|
| Movement joints |
4.5m centres or where stress is expected |
Above structural movement joints and where stress is expected. |
|
| Floor Coverings |
|||
| Squeaking floors |
Floors that squeak within 24 months |
Floors and stairs that squeak within 24 months. |
|
| Springy floors |
Floors that bounce by a person walking normally and substructure is not in accordance with NCC |
Floors that bounce by a person walking normally. |
|
| Decks and Balconies |
|||
| Leaks in waterproof decks and balconies |
If it leaks |
Leak under normal environmental conditions. |
|
| Wind driven water |
Does not have a drainage system complying with AS 4654.2 |
If wind driven water enters the building under normal environmental conditions. |
|
| Exposed timberwork |
- | Splits, bows or cups within 3 months of completion under normal environmental conditions. |
|
| Eave and external ceiling linings |
- | Plaster and lightweight sheeting loose within 12 months of completion or not to manufacturer’s installation instructions. |
|
| Landscaping |
|||
| Water tank |
- | Leaks or not placed on a firm base specified by the manufacturer. Movement identified from a normal viewing position or any overflow washout of the base. |
|
| Electrical |
|||
| Electrical |
Does not comply with regulations or contract documents |
A fixture or fitting is out of level from a normal viewing position. |
|
| Pools and Spas |
|||
| Finished height |
- | Departs from agreed or specified datum by more than ±40mm. |
|
| General |
|||
| Appliances and fittings |
Owner is responsible for organising warranty service. Damage to appliance if due to builder’s workmanship or not fully operational during maintenance period. |
Cracked, chipped or scratched, visible from a normal viewing position at completion, loose, or not fully operational within 3 months of completion. |
|
To find out more, contact HIA's Building Services team.
Find the latest expert advice, guides and much more!
Was this page helpful?
The above is intended to provide general information in summary form. The content does not constitute specific advice and should not be relied upon as such. Formal advice should be sought by members and customers with respect to particular matters before taking action.
Building it right topics
Can’t find what you need, check out other resources that might be closer to the mark.