In an industry alert, the BPC recently communicated new regulations and amendments to existing regulations that impact registered building surveyors from 1 September 2026. That information was later re-issued to assist with clarity.
Much of this information can also be found in the BPS’s August Industry Insight here.
These changes aim to improve the owner’s understanding of the building process and strengthen confidence in the building system.
They also aim to will improve visibility of inspection outcomes throughout the construction process, particularly where there is a change of builder or relevant building surveyor (RBS).
Improved access to inspection records is intended to support continuity, oversight and informed decision-making by incoming RBS, councils and the BPC.
The new regulations require the RBS to provide an information statement to the owner of the land or building that is the subject of the building permit application no later than 10 days after applying for the issue of a building permit number.
The statement, known as Form 26, explains role and responsibilities of the building surveyor, homeowners and builders. It also outlines where owners can seek assistance and how a relevant building surveyor may be appointed, changed or dismissed.
The Form 26 is available here.
The RBS will be required to provide a record of inspection to the relevant council within seven days of completing an inspection, in addition to providing Councils with the approved dates of the inspections carried out at the mandatory notification stages. On request, Councils will also be required to provide these records to the BPC.
Previously, these documents were required to be provided within 7 days after issuing an occupancy permit.
From 1 September 2026, new regulations introduced prescribed competence criteria for applicants for registration as a building surveyor or building inspector in Victoria.
The competence criteria provide a clear description of the criteria that those applying for registration must be able to demonstrate to perform their statutory functions and meet professional standards. The competence criteria are:
Professional conduct and ethics
Knowledge of the law
Building standards in the Regulations and the National Construction Code
Knowledge of the performance-based framework
The competence standard that sets out the skills, experience and knowledge that an applicant for registration must have to meet a prescribed competence criterion, along with prescribed qualifications will be published in the Government Gazette and posted to our website.
For more information, read BPS’s August Industry Insight by clicking here.
The BPC can be contacted by phone 1300 067 088, and online.