Update on amendments to building regulations

Several regulations that apply to members of the building industry have been amended. The changes defer requirements that were due to take effect from 1 July 2025.

Expansion of Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020 to class 3 and 9c remedial work deferred

The Design and Building Practitioners Regulation 2021 (DBP Act) has been amended to defer the application of the DBP Act to remedial work on class 3 and 9c building by a further 12 months.

This means the expansion of the DBP Act to regulate the repair, alteration and renovation work on existing Class 3 and 9c buildings will now commence on 1 July 2026.

The DBP Act continues to apply to alteration, repair and renovation work on existing class 2 buildings and mixed-use buildings with a class 2 part.

Building practitioner professional indemnity insurance exemption extended

The exemption for registered building practitioners to hold adequate professional indemnity insurance (PII) has been extended by 12 months to 30 June 2026.

The Design and Building Practitioners Regulation 2021 (DBP Act) has been amended to reflect the 12 month extension.

Strata building bond percentage increase deferred

An amendment has been made to the Strata Schemes Management Regulation 2016 to defer the increase to the strata building bond percentage rate from 2% to 3% until 1 July 2026.

The building bond applies to new strata buildings that do not have home building compensation insurance (Part 6 Home building Act 1989).

Developers lodge the building bond with the Secretary before the occupation certificate is issued. The bond may be used to rectify defects identified in SBBIS inspections. If there are no defects, the bond is returned to the developer.

Cladding exemption from certifier professional indemnity insurance extended

The Building and Development Certifiers Regulation 2020 has been amended to remove the expiry date applying to the existing exemption for certifiers regarding professional indemnity insurance for cladding.

The exemption, which allows a certifier's professional indemnity policy to exclude cladding-related claims, will continue to operate with no expiry period.