Building and Plumbing Commission

13/10/2026

A Direction to Fix (DTF) is a formal order that requires a builder to fix building work that doesn’t meet the required standards.

The BPC or a Relevant Building Surveyor (RBS) can issue a DTF when a breach of the Building Act or Regulations is identified.

A DTF may require a builder to:

✅ rectify non-compliant work
✅ stop work so it can be inspected
✅ provide documents demonstrating compliance.

Once a DTF is issued, the builder must fix the problem or face disciplinary action.

For plumbers, separate compliance and rectification powers apply.

On 1 July, the BPC was given a new Rectification Order power, allowing us to order building work to be fixed after the RBS has signed off and a home is occupied. This is a big win for consumers as defects are often only identified after the building work is complete.

Learn more about DTFs: go.vic.gov.au/4jjf0bG

Learn more about Rectification Orders: go.vic.gov.au/4hMqamE

06/10/2026

The BPC has fined licensed plumber Darcy Klemm more than $2500 including costs over non-compliant roofing work on a new build in Port Melbourne.

This included installing box gutters with insufficient grade and parapet cappings and without the required minimum 3-degree fall back towards the roof.

A plumbing inquiry found the 35-year-old, of DK Roofing, either directed or permitted another person to carry out roofing work which didn’t comply with plumbing laws.

Klemm also failed to provide compliance certificates within 5 days of completing the work.

The BPC has ordered Klemm to complete a training course prior to renewing his plumbing licence which lapsed in April 2025.

👉 A compliance certificate certifies plumbing work complies with prescribed standards. It can only be issued by a licensed plumber and must be provided to consumers within 5 days of completing any job worth $750 or more.

👉 When undertaking plumbing work, plumbers must be licensed in each appropriate class for that work, while registered plumbers must be supervised by a licensed plumber.

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Disclaimer: Other individuals or businesses may have similar names to those subject to disciplinary or legal action. You can check a practitioner’s licence, registration or disciplinary and prosecution history at bpc.vic.gov.au/check.

01/10/2026

The BPC has suspended Nathan Power Builder Pty Ltd for 6 months and fined the company $45,000 after defects in a new build in Mandurang left a homeowner battling moisture, ventilation and mould issues.

The company failed to carry out building work in accordance with an approved building permit and did not obtain the necessary approvals for changes made during construction.

The BPC also found the company failed to properly investigate reported defects, failed to respond to the homeowner's concerns in a timely and appropriate manner, and failed to identify and rectify the underlying causes of the moisture, ventilation and mould issues.

The company also breached domestic building contract requirements by claiming a final stage payment before the works had reached the required stage of completion.

As part of the disciplinary action Nathan Power Builder must also complete 2 training units through its nominee director.

The suspension means the company cannot carry out registered domestic building work for 6 months, except where it is required to complete work under a building order or direction to fix, or as part of a domestic building dispute resolution order.

For building work over $10,000, a Major Domestic Building Contract must include a payment schedule linked to completed stages of work.

Builders cannot demand payments outside the agreed contract schedule and can only request a 5% deposit for jobs over $20,000 and 10% deposit for jobs over $10,000.

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Disclaimer: Other individuals or businesses may have similar names to those subject to disciplinary or legal action. You can check a practitioner’s licence, registration or disciplinary and prosecution history at bpc.vic.gov.au/check.

29/09/2026

That's a wrap on the Housing Industry Association - HIA Regional Housing Awards, with the most outstanding building projects of 2026 recognised across Victoria.

Congratulations to the Home of the Year winners:

🏆 Attwood Builders – 2026 HIA Northern Victoria Home of the Year for an outstanding custom-built home in Yarrawonga.
🏆 Lowe Design & Build – 2026 HIA Eastern Victoria Home of the Year for an outstanding custom-built home in Portsea.
🏆 Argent Constructions – 2026 HIA Western Victoria Home of the Year for a beautifully executed custom-built home in Warrnambool.

The BPC is proud to support the Awards in 2026 showcasing regional Victoria’s best building projects.

👏 Well done to all the other winners and finalists. To view the full list, visit the HIA website: hia.com.au/awards-and-events/award-winners

24/09/2026

Did you know you can give the BPC a call for building and plumbing technical support?

Our hotline isn’t just for handling complaints.

Whether you are a practitioner needing technical clarification on the job, or a consumer looking for guidance, our teams are here to help you troubleshoot compliance queries and find solutions.

📞 Call us on 1300 067 088 on business days and ask to speak to our experts.

🕰️ Building advice: 8.30am to 5pm | Plumbing advice: 8.30am to 4pm

22/09/2026

Why do plumbers fail BPC audits and inspections?

In FY 2025-26, the BPC completed more than 5200 compliance audits and drainage inspections, and issued 150 infringement notices and more than 900 rectification notices to fix non-compliant work.

Analysis of these results reveals the key problem areas most commonly identified onsite across drainage inspections, compliance audits, heat pump installations and gasfitting work.

👉 Explore the findings and learn which areas to look out for to avoid common plumbing compliance failures: go.vic.gov.au/4xzSTkv

👉 Learn more about our plumbing audit and inspection program: go.vic.gov.au/3VwcuVp

21/09/2026

Gippsland plumbers – don’t miss the opportunity to ask BPC Manager of Plumbing Michael Beirouti all your burning questions this Wednesday night at the Master Plumbers pub night in Traralgon. Register now!

You've got questions. They'll be in the room.
Lead-free requirements. Electrification. Compliance. Enforcement.

Join us in Traralgon for an open conversation with Michael Beiroiti, Head of Plumbing at the Building and Plumbing Commission, and Peter Morris, Gippsland Water, alongside Master Plumbers and industry representatives.

The discussion will cover the issues currently shaping the plumbing industry and give attendees the opportunity to ask questions directly.

📅 Wednesday 23 September
🕠 5.30pm-8pm
📍 Crown Hotel, Traralgon

Food and drinks provided.
Register now: https://www.eventcreate.com/e/gippsland-pub-night-2026

14/09/2026

The BPC has fined Ampa Constructions Pty Ltd $40,000 for non-compliant work, failure to comply with a dispute resolution order and for breaching contract payment terms on a home renovation and rear unit construction in Cranbourne North.

The dispute began when the builder, whose sole director is Pece ‘Peter’ Najdovski, dismissed the homeowner’s concerns about a stormwater drainage problem in the driveway and proceeded with a concrete pour.

The homeowner then engaged an independent building inspector who confirmed the stormwater issues along with 87 defects and/or non-compliances in total.

After its own inspection, the BPC ordered the builder to rectify defects and/or non-compliances and to complete the building work, however Ampa Constructions Pty Ltd failed to do so.

The company was also found to have breached the Domestic Building Contracts Act by:

• requesting a progress payment for frame stage work before completing it
• requesting payment for variations to the building work without the homeowner first being notified of, or approving, those changes.

Ampa Constructions’ building registration is currently suspended due to failure to meet minimum financial requirements. Najdovski must also complete 3 training units.

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Disclaimer: Other individuals or businesses may have similar names to those subject to disciplinary or legal action. You can check a practitioner’s licence, registration or disciplinary and prosecution history at bpc.vic.gov.au/check.

10/09/2026

The BPC and the Fair Work Ombudsman joined forces on a recent statewide crackdown on unlicensed and unregistered practitioners.

07/09/2026

The BPC has filed criminal charges against Baba Building Group Pty Ltd and its director Dheeraj Sandala over dangerous and non-compliant building work on a new home in Tarneit.

The company was issued with a Direction to Fix last year after BPC inspectors found missing smoke detectors, exposed electrical wiring and structural defects. They were given multiple opportunities to fully comply with the order.

Baba and Sandala now face a total of 6 charges including:

• failing to comply with the BPC’s Direction to Fix non-compliant building work
• failing to comply with a statutory notice requiring information on non-compliant plumbing work
• failing to carry out building work to the required standards.

If found guilty, the company faces maximum fines of more than $500,000, and more than $100,000 for Sandala.

While the home is still incomplete, the BPC and Relevant Building Surveyor have inspected the site and determined it is safe to live in.

The matter will be heard in the Melbourne Magistrates Court.

Comments on this post have been turned off for legal reasons.

Read full story: go.vic.gov.au/4xC1R1v

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Disclaimer: Other individuals or businesses may have similar names to those subject to disciplinary or legal action. You can check a practitioner’s licence, registration or disciplinary and prosecution history at bpc.vic.gov.au/check.