Responsibilities Before taking on a building project as an owner-builder you should be aware that owner-builders take on many of the responsibilities of a registered builder. These responsibilities include: complying with all building standards including the Building Code of Australia and safety...
If you are thinking about owner-building your own home or small commercial building, you will need to have been granted owner-builder approval from the Building Services Board before you can be granted a building permit from your local government authority. Owner-builder approvals can only be...
Contracts It is the builder’s responsibility to ensure that a written contract, that accurately reflects the agreement reached, is in place between themselves and their client. Contracts will vary depending on whether the type of building work that is proposed is residential or commercial. Any...
Codes and Standards are required to maintain minimum necessary standards of relevant safety, health, amenity and sustainability within the industry in relation to all building services (plumbing, painting and building work) regulated by Building and Energy. Building Section 37 of the Building Act...
The National Construction Code (NCC) is an initiative of the Council of Australian Governments, developed to incorporate all on-site construction requirements into a single code. The NCC is produced and maintained by the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) on behalf of the Australian Government...
Building disputes Building disputes monthly reports These reports provide an overview of the number and type of complaints received, average time taken to close and the decisions/outcomes achieved for the month. View all monthly reports Disputes (building service or home building work contract...
If planning to build in an area affected by the European House Borer (EHB), it is recommended that treated pine is used for structural purposes. A number of pine treatment options are available. For pine in service, in-situ treatment can be undertaken. For other affected pine products such as...
European House Borer (EHB) Hylotrupes bajulus (Linnaeus) , is a destructive pest of seasoned coniferous timber including pine, fir and spruce. If allowed to become established it could cause major structural damage to buildings. Timbers commonly used for structural purposes in Australia, including...
For specific advice about termite protection for a proposed new home you may contact the building surveyor at your local council, your builder or architect, or a licensed pest control professional. Advice about all types of pesticide treatments can be obtained from the Pesticide Safety Section of...
Whichever system is selected for the prevention or early detection of termites, it is important that inspections are carried out regularly. You should inspect your property every six months for any obvious signs of infestation. Consumer Protection also recommends that you arrange for an inspection...
This industry bulletin provides information on the Home Building Contracts Amendment Regulations 2020 (the Amendment Regulations) which were published in the Government Gazette and have commenced...
The Building Amendment Regulations (No. 3) 2020 (Amendment Regulations) were published in the Government Gazette on 24 April 2020 and have commenced operation.
In early 2020, an air-conditioning installer suffered a fatal electric shock while working in the roof space of a house. In Western Australia, it is a legal requirement to de-energise and isolate all...
While it is reasonable to be concerned about the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, there are a number of actions you can take to look after your mental health during this challenging time. Access...
It is reasonable for workers to experience increased worry, anxiety and stress about the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak. Managing the risk to mental health during this time means workers will have...
Safe Work Australia has created an easy to follow infographic to advise workplaces on the steps they should take if a worker comes down with a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19.
This industry bulletin is intended to alert stakeholders to pending changes to Western Australia’s building legislation which will come into effect when the Strata Titles Act 1985 is amended...
Exemption from requirement for building permit for manufactured homes and attachments This industry bulletin provides information on the Building Amendment Regulations 2020 (Amendment Regulations)...
A major Australian building company and its nominated supervisor have been fined a total of $32,000 after significant roof defects were discovered at two Perth homes. The State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) found that BGC Residential Pty Ltd (BC9769) and Thomas Edmund Starkey (BP14002) breached building registration laws by not properly managing and supervising a building service. In 2016, a...
A Karrinyup builder has been formally cautioned over the roof construction at a $1.1 million home, which did not comply with approved plans and building standards. The Building Services Board found that Mulvay Pty Ltd (BC10975) and its nominated supervisor, Mark Anthony Mulvay (BP9892), breached WA’s building registration laws by not properly managing and supervising a building service. The two-...
Home owners can be reassured that WA’s building regulator is taking action on standards, compliance and dispute resolution across the industry, according to retiring Building Commissioner Ken Bowron. Mr Bowron leaves Building and Energy (formerly the Building Commission and Energy Safety ) today after 10 years, including 18 months at the helm of the combined division within the Department of...
A Perth builder has been fined $2,000 after constructing a two-storey dwelling near Manjimup, in breach of conditions placed on his registration. Allen Gledhill , of Mount Nasura, has since voluntarily cancelled his building contractor’s registration (BC100541), which limited him to single-storey residential work and industrial sheds. At its May meeting, the Building Services Board heard that Mr...
The minimum fees prescribed in Schedule 2 of the Building Regulations 2012 will increase by 7 per cent on 1 July 2019 for the 2019–20 year. A list of the current minimum fees and the new minimum fees is in the table below. This increase in fees is the result of a review undertaken by the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety at the request of the Parliament’s Joint Standing...
The Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) is conducting a stakeholder satisfaction survey to invite feedback on our services and our role as a regulator. The results will help DMIRS focus on business areas and services that need performance improvements. If you subscribe to a DMIRS email newsletter or subscriber news service, you may be contacted by email and invited to take...
The Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) scheme is an Australian government initiative in partnership with state and territory governments. During the past year the WELS team has been engaged in ‘Project New Build’, working to increase the building industry’s compliance through education, engagement and inspections. For information on this project and other important WELS updates...
WITH COMMISSIONER FOR CONSUMER PROTECTION, DAVID HILLYARD Following a recent ceiling collapse at a Thornlie property, home owners are reminded to act promptly on warning signs of ceiling stress. A ceiling collapse can cause serious injury to anyone present at the time of collapse and it can also cause extensive damage to a room’s contents and structure...
A Herne Hill man has been fined $4,000 and ordered to pay $943.50 in costs by the Perth Magistrates Court on 22 February 2019 after altering a certificate of title which was part of an application for owner-builder approval. Carl Rocco Garreffa had removed his wife’s name from the certificate of title of a property in Herne Hill which was jointly owned by the couple and failed to obtain her...
All three volumes of the National Construction Code (NCC) 2019 previews have been released by The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) and are available to download from NCC online. Further information on the release can be found on the ABCB website. NCC 2019 will be adopted from 1 May 2019 . You are reminded that the Building Regulations 2012 in Western Australia has a 12 months transitional...