Technical Building Advice

Our MBV Technical Building Advice team is here to help members better understand the technical and regulatory requirements that are expected through the design, building and construction process.

MBV members are able to take advantage of our technical support service as part of their membership, including:

  • Keeping up to date with regulation and technical change;
  • Building Act 1993 and Building Regulations 2018 advice
  • Understanding requirements of the National Construction Code (NCC)
  • Interpreting Australian Standards
  • General building permit advice
  • Roles and responsibilities in the supply chain
  • Support through the application process to obtain registration as a building practitioner

Technical Building Resources

There are a number of different categories of registration that you can apply for to be a Domestic Builder or Commercial Builder.

Registration Advice

Visit our Registration Advice page to help understand the steps you may need to take to become a registered builder in Victoria.

Registration FAQs

What’s the difference between a Commercial and Domestic registration?

Commercial Builders are responsible for managing and arranging the carrying out of all components of building work for the construction of commercial buildings and structures in the class 2–9 while a Domestic Builder can do all work associated with the construction, renovation, improvement or maintenance of a home. A home is any residential premises, and includes any part of a commercial building or industrial premises that is used as a residential premise with the class 1, 2, and 4 buildings, and associated class 10 buildings, as classified in the Building Code of Australia.

How high can I build if I have a Commercial Builder Limited to the construction of low rise building work?

This component of building work is limited to the construction of commercial buildings and structures:

  • Up to 15 metres in height, and
  • With bulk excavations up to a depth of 3 metres.

The work permitted on these buildings includes structural and non-structural fit-out work and structural landscaping.

Can I hold more than one Domestic Builder – Limited registration?

If you are registered in a limited class of domestic builder you are responsible for carrying out, or managing or arranging the carrying out of the limited classes set out in your certificate of registration.

A person can hold more than one limited class if they wish.

How do I know if I need registration?

If you are intending to carry out, manage or arrange the carrying out of domestic building work for another person and the cost of that work is more than $10,000 then you are required to be registered.

Can I talk to someone about how to get my registration?

Absolutely. We have a registration team who can answer any questions you may have. Members can access registration advice for free, please call our team on 03 9411 4555.

How can Master Builders help me obtain my registration?

As soon as you become a member with us, you receive access to exclusive online resources to get you started on your journey towards Victorian domestic or commercial registration.

What courses do I need to do to get my registration?

Master Builders has a lot of courses to assist you in the registration process. The course that will best suit you will be based on the class of registration you are applying for and your level of knowledge and experience.  Please contact us for more information on 03 9411 4555.

Is it compulsory to hold a specific qualification (certificate or diploma)?

Under the Building Interim Regulations 2017 there are prescribed qualifications. These qualifications are not compulsory; you are able to apply with out a qualification if you have the relevant knowledge and experience for the category you are applying for.

How many projects do I have to be involved in before I can apply?

When applying for a Domestic Builder (Unlimited) you need to show a minimum of  three years in the building construction industry. The VBA will ask that you show examples of 4 hero projects in your application.

What are the different DB-L categories?

There are 29 different limited classes of Domestic Building work, they consist of;

Domestic Builder (limited to the construction of non-habitable building structures)

Domestic Builder (limited to the construction of gates and fences)

Domestic Builder (limited to the construction of retaining walls)

Domestic Builder (limited to the construction of swimming pools and spas)

Domestic Builder (limited to the construction of private bushfire shelters)

Domestic Builder (limited to the construction of shade structures)

Domestic Builder (limited to the construction structural landscaping)

Domestic Builder (limited to bathroom, kitchen and laundry renovations)

Domestic Builder (limited to earthworks and excavation work)

Domestic Builder (limited to footings and slab work)

Domestic Builder (limited to framing)

Domestic Builder (limited to bricklaying and blocklaying)

Domestic Builder (limited to external wall cladding)

Domestic Builder (limited to roof tiling)

Domestic Builder (limited to waterproofing)

Domestic Builder (limited to door and window replacement and installation)

Domestic Builder (limited to site works involved in relocating a dwelling)

Domestic Builder (limited to the re-stumping and re-blocking)

Domestic Builder (limited to cabinet making, joinery and stair construction)

Domestic Builder (limited to carpentry)

Domestic Builder (limited to the erection of poles, masts and antennas)

Domestic Builder (limited to sheet plastering)

Domestic Builder (limited to solid plastering and rendering)

Domestic Builder (limited to floor finishing and covering)

Domestic Builder (limited to glazing work)

Domestic Builder (limited to insulation work)

Domestic Builder (limited to painting and decorating)

Domestic Builder (limited to floor and wall tiling work)

Domestic Builder (limited to attaching external fixtures)

What’s the process of registration?

The process of applying for registration is:

Step 1 – Put your application together

Step 2 – Present application to the VBA

Step 3 – Initial Assessment (computer based examination and technical exercises)

Step 4 – Final Assessment (VBA assessor makes a recommendation)

Step 5 – VBA Panel accepts/declines your application.

How much does it cost to apply for registration?

The price of registration varies depending on the category of registration you are applying for.

You can check the price of registration here.

Is the Certificate IV course compulsory if I want to apply for a Domestic Registration?

Under the Building Interim Regulations 2017 there are prescribed qualifications. These qualifications are not compulsory; you are able to apply with out a qualification if you have the relevant knowledge and experience for the category you are applying for.

What is the process if I want to ‘upgrade’ my registration from DB-L to DB-U?

Applying for a new or upgraded registration will require a new application to the VBA. The registration team can help you put this new application together.

I have 15 years building experience; do I qualify for a builder’s registration?

To apply for registration you need to meet the skills, knowledge and experience as set out by the VBA. You can read up on the criteria here: http://www.vba.vic.gov.au/practitioners/building-registrations/domestic-builder/eligibility

Master Builders registration team can help you assess your experience, please give us a call on 03 9411 4555.

Can an Engineer or Building Surveyor act as a Technical Referee on my application?

The referee should be registered in the category and class (or higher class) of building work for which you are providing the Technical Referee Report.

If you have not worked for a builder registered in this component of domestic building work, the VBA will accept a technical referee report from a referee who is a site manager who is not a registered domestic builder but is reporting to a person who is registered as a building practitioner in the category and class (or higher class) than you are applying for.

I am not currently a member, can you help me with my registration?

Our registration advice is only available to Master Builders Victoria members. If you are interested in becoming a member you can apply online or call us on 03 9411 4555.

Need assistance? Contact our team.