Victorians, this is a wake-up call for everyone—homeowners, builders, and communities alike.
The Building Legislation Amendment (Buyer Protections) Bill 2025, now exposed in Parliament, is far worse than anticipated. It’s not just about protecting consumers; it’s a sledgehammer that could shatter honest building businesses, inflate costs, and clog justice for all. Consumer protections does need strengthening—rogue operators must be held accountable—but this bill unfairly crushes reputable builders while failing to deliver fair outcomes. If you’re not alarmed, you’re not seeing the chaos this could unleash.
The Buyer Protections Bill assumes all builders are rogues and all consumers are saints, a ridiculous oversimplification. It hands the new Building and Plumbing Commission power to issue rectification orders for up to a decade—10 years. A homeowner could blame a builder for cracks in render due to natural movement in 2035, ignoring natural structural movement. Industry critics call this “misguided,” branding it a “sledgehammer” to builders’ rights. Disputes are rarely clear-cut; poorly detailed contracts often spark misunderstandings, with both sides genuinely believing they’re right. Financial pressures—builders managing tight margins, homeowners facing unexpected costs—add complexity the bill ignores. The shift to first-resort domestic building insurance for homes up to three storeys is another blow.
It sounds consumer-friendly, but it lets homeowners skip talking to their builder to resolve an issue and instead lodge claims over issues that could be as trivial as paint quality. Insiders warn this will spike “cost and complexity,” and with the Victorian Building Authority (soon the Commission) already under-resourced, claims will pile up, delaying resolutions for everyone. Homeowners might expect quick justice, but they’ll be stuck in a gridlock.
The bill also axes private insurers like Assetinsure, forcing a monopoly government insurer on the industry. While insurance policies are strictly governed by legislation and ministerial orders, private insurers offer alternative underwriting approaches tailored to the unique needs of different building businesses and projects. A government insurer, rigid and one-size-fits-all, will stifle these options, limiting flexibility, driving up costs and forcing viable builders out of the industry.
This isn’t fairness; it’s a setup. The system’s playing judge, jury, and executioner, punishing reputable builders and ensnaring consumers in red tape.
As I’ve said before, the promise of consumer justice is a mirage—claims will overwhelm the Commission, disputes will drag, and no one will get timely resolutions. Improved protections are needed, but not at the cost of destroying the industry that builds our homes. This is everyone’s issue. Whether you’re a builder facing unfair burdens, a homeowner wanting fair resolutions, or a Victorian who values a thriving community, this bill affects you. Builders don’t sit this out—contact us today for help understanding the bill’s impact and how to respond. Reach out to your parliamentary members to demand a balanced approach. Visit our website or call now.
To find your local legislative council member, please follow our link below:
The clock’s ticking, and the gavel’s falling fast.
Disclaimer: This post reflects the author’s views on the Buyer Protections Bill and draws on public critiques. Readers are urged to review the legislation and seek professional advice.
Source: Victorian Parliament
Author: Tim O’Callaghan, a former builder with deep industry experience, now leading Building Ethics Australia to support fair outcomes for builders and consumers.
