In late 2015 the VBA and Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) launched the “Proactive Inspections Program” to check building works under construction.

The Proactive Inspections Program was designed to assess building sites and building works for compliance with the Act, Regulations and Code through an engagement and inspection process.

The aim of the Inspections Program is to improve safety and quality outcomes and assist the Relevant Building Surveyor in administering their regulatory role.

Items inspected:

As part of this process, the VBA inspects various elements of the building works and, depending on the class of build and stage of build, any or all of the following elements, but not limited to, are inspected:

  • Building Permit data: pre populated from permit data held by the VBA & cross checked on site
  • Initial site safety observations: traffic, working from heights, electrical & excavation risks
  • Documentation and Site signage: approved plans
  • Public Protection – people & assets
  • Protection works – documentation, excavation, fill, party walls
  • Siting – Part 4 of Building Regs, setbacks, overlooking, overshadowing, fencing, building heights
  • Fire separation – Separation walls, ceilings, penetrations
  • Plumbing works – Class of work and plumbers details, below ground/rough in/roofing

It is common for a site to have numerous inspection items. Many of these inspection items may be determined as being compliant with the legislation (i.e. no-risk). However, some may be determined to be non-compliant and would be assigned a risk level (low, moderate, significant or high).

Based on the risk level identified during these site inspections, the VBA will engage both informally and formally with the relevant people involved in the project – including the builder, building surveyor, and other regulators – depending on the matters identified.

In January 2017, the VBA conducted 66 proactive inspections, taking the cumulative total for 2016/17 to 1127 inspections – 62.6% of the target of 1,800.

Below is an infographic of the January 2017 inspection results undertaken by the VBA.