Home buyer / owner

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Section 10: Processing applications

Choosing the correct form To provide for consistency in building approvals throughout the state, all the relevant application forms, notices and compliance certificates are approved by the Building Commissioner and available on the Building and Energy website. Providing the correct application form...
A guide to the building approvals process in WA
15 Dec 2015

Section 9: Unauthorised building work

In general a person must not carry out building work without a building permit where one is required. However the Building Act allows a person to make an application to the relevant permit authority to approve unauthorised building work in relation to a building and/or incidental structure. This...
A guide to the building approvals process in WA
15 Dec 2015

Section 8: Change of classification or use of a building

Sometimes a building owner or occupier may wish to use the building for a purpose contrary to the approved use or classification of the building detailed on the current occupancy permit. The Building Act sets out the process for obtaining approval for either a change of classification or a change...
A guide to the building approvals process in WA
15 Dec 2015

Section 7: Providing information to the FES Commissioner

The Building Act contains certain provisions requiring prescribed information to be provided to the Fire and Emergency Services (FES) Commissioner. Building surveyor requirements (r. 18B) For certain Class 2 to Class 9 buildings, the building surveyor responsible for signing the certificate of...
A guide to the building approvals process in WA
14 Dec 2015

Section 6: Notices of completion and cessation

The Building Act requires the responsible person (i.e. builder or demolition contractor) to provide certain notices for the completion or suspension of work under a building or demolition permit. Notice of cessation (s. 34) The person named as the builder or demolition contractor on a building or...
A guide to the building approvals process in WA
14 Dec 2015

Section 1 (continued): Coverage, exemptions and responsibilities

As part of its enforcement role, a permit authority can inspect building work and investigate Building Act compliance matters and, where relevant, issue infringement notices, building orders or commence prosecution for non-compliance. There are three types of permit authority: Local government For...
A guide to the building approvals process in WA
10 Dec 2015

Building in designated bush fire prone areas

In Western Australia, building work is required to comply with the performance requirements of the Building Code of Australia (the Building Code), which comprises Volumes One and Two of the National Construction Code Series. The Building Code contains specific bush fire construction requirements...
Building in bush fire prone areas
01 Dec 2015

Section 5: Permits and processes

WATCH
Types of permits and their processes One: Building permit Two: Occupancy permit Three: Building approval certificate Four: Occupancy permit strata Five: Building approval certificate strata Six: Demolition permit One Building permit
page24.jpg
page24.jpg, by ebleakley
In general a building permit...
A guide to the building approvals process in WA
01 Dec 2015

Section 4: Typical approval sequence

WATCH
General sequence chart
Building approvals process page 22
Building approvals process page 22, by ebleakley
Building approvals process page 22 Note: for uncertified applications, the certificate of design compliance is obtained by the relevant permit authority after the application is submitted. Typical building approval sequence – Class 1 and...
A guide to the building approvals process in WA
01 Dec 2015

Section 3: Building standards

The Building Act adopts the Building Code of Australia (BCA), being Volumes One and Two of the National Construction Code series, as the primary applicable building standard for all new building work, new buildings and incidental structures. The applicable building standards apply whether or not a...
A guide to the building approvals process in WA
30 Nov 2015

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Publications

Reforms to the building approval process for single residential buildings in WA – CRIS

READ
Reforms to the building approval process for single residential buildings in Western Australia – Consultation Regulatory Impact Statement seeks comment on three options for reforming the building...
Building and Energy
Consultations / public comment
14 Aug 2024

Changes to the map of bush fire prone areas

READ
The McGowan Government has announced improvements to the bush fire policy framework including changes to the Map of Bush Fire Prone Areas for 19 inner metropolitan local governments (from Stirling to...
Building and Energy
Fact sheet
31 Jul 2019

Guide to Standards and Tolerances WA 2019

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Every year thousands of homes are constructed or renovated in Western Australia. While most building projects are completed successfully, occasionally there may be concerns or unmet expectations that...
Building and Energy
Guide / handbook
25 Nov 2019

Western Australia guide to standards and tolerances 2019

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The Western Australia guide to standards and tolerances 2019 (the Guide) has been developed for use by builders and building owners as a convenient reference for acceptable standards of workmanship...
Building and Energy
Guide / handbook
30 Jul 2019

Report - Review of the Architects Act 2004 (DRIS)

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A statutory review of the Act was undertaken to ensure that it is still applicable to the modern functioning of the architectural industry, reduce red tape where possible, and examine the...
Building and Energy
Reports
27 May 2019

Helpful checks when choosing a building service provider

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Your home is usually your biggest investment, so it's worth doing your research before deciding who will undertake your building project. Undertaking a few practical checks at the start can help...
Building and Energy
Fact sheet
20 Oct 2021

Do not prop the gate open

READ
Propped open pool gates and faulty latches are a leading cause of drowning deaths in young children. It only takes seconds for a child to drown, so regularly check that the latch is working and never...
Building and Energy
Fact sheet
14 Jun 2024

Danger – Swimming pool under construction

READ
Will your child and your neighbours’ children be safe while your pool is under construction? Some types of pools need to be filled with water by the pool builder as part of the construction process...
Building and Energy
Fact sheet
14 Jun 2024

Local government’s four yearly inspections of private swimming pool safety barriers 2017/18

READ
Progress report This report is in response to recommendation 7 of the Ombudsman Western Australia (Ombudsman) report titled Investigation into ways to prevent or reduce deaths of children by drowning...
Building and Energy
Reports
18 Sep 2018

Rules for portable pools fact sheet

READ
There are many types of portable pools, ranging from small plastic or inflatable paddling pools, specifically designed for young children, to larger more solid inflatable pools or flexible sided...
Building and Energy
Fact sheet
11 Dec 2020

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Announcements

Board fines former Mandurah builder $4,000 for negligent conduct and overdue work - Darrell John Honeybone

Building work commenced without a building permit in place Failed to meet deadlines even after an extension was granted Mr Honeybone is no longer a registered building practitioner or contractor A former builder has been fined $4,000 for starting work without a building permit and missing contractual deadlines at a Bouvard property. The Building Services Board found that Darrell John Honeybone (...
Building and Energy
Media release
28 Feb 2022

Building clients urged to check warranty insurance before paying up

Home indemnity insurance is compulsory for home building work valued at $20,000 or more Confirm the builder has an HII policy for your project before paying deposits HII offers financial protection for incomplete or defective work in certain situations WA’s building regulator is urging home building clients not pay deposits without seeing evidence that the builder has a home indemnity insurance (...
Building and Energy
Media release
24 Feb 2022

Electrician fined after dangerous error causes electric shocks

Electrician did not follow the correct procedure during a kWh meter replacement Three family members at the property received electric shocks from taps Electricians must comply with safety standards to prevent causing harm A Perth-based electrical worker has been fined $2,000 for failing to safely carry out work at a Bedford property where three family members received electric shocks after...
Building and Energy
Media release
14 Feb 2022

$20,000 penalty for hazardous electrical error – Romiss Pty Ltd trading as Fair Price Electrical Services

Essential electrical safety component (MEN) not installed, putting users at risk Electrician did not carry out mandatory checks and tests $15,000 fine for company and $5,000 fine for electrical worker The State Government energy safety regulator is warning electricians not to cut corners when checking their work after a Padbury building site was left unprotected against electrical hazards for...
Building and Energy
Media release
02 Feb 2022

Repeat offender faces the heat over kitchen defects – Mal Afrasiabi

$27,500 fine for not complying with a Building Commissioner’s order 12 instances of faulty or unsatisfactory work at a Riverton kitchen renovation Previous history of non-compliance with building and electrical laws A Perth tradesman with a history of non-compliance has been fined $27,500 for ignoring an official order to fix defective kitchen renovation work. At Perth Magistrates Court on 7...
Building and Energy
Media release
17 Jan 2022

Defects at eight homes cost WA builder and supervisor $40,000 – Ventura Home Group and Justayn Bean

Many areas of non-compliant building work including roof safety issues Disciplinary matters referred to the State Administrative Tribunal $25,000 fine for Ventura Home Group and $15,000 fine for Justayn Bean Ventura Home Group Pty Ltd (BC10805) and its former nominated supervisor, Justayn James Bean (BP13268), have been fined a total of $40,000 for inadequate management and supervision of eight...
Building and Energy
Media release
13 Jan 2022

Busselton build brings home lack of oversight – Jeremy Peter Evans

Several defects found in construction of a two-storey house SAT mediation concludes with a $7,500 fine for lack of supervision Building company is now in administration A former building company supervisor has accepted a $7,500 fine at the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) for not properly overseeing work at a Busselton house where several faults were found. Jeremy Peter Evans (BP12715) was the...
Building and Energy
Media release
23 Dec 2021

Failure to fix faults leaves roofer in the red – Michael Shadlow of Emerald Roofing Services

Roof restorer ignored Building Commissioner’s order to rectify defects in Falcon Matter went to trial due to claims of ‘reasonable excuse’ for non-compliance Guilty verdict, $2,000 fine and $1,500 in costs A Mandurah roof restorer has been ordered to pay $3,500 in fines and costs after a court found he did not have a valid reason for disregarding an official order to fix defects. On 6 December at...
Building and Energy
Media release
14 Dec 2021

Councils keep heads above water on pool barrier inspections

Local governments must inspect private pool safety barriers at least every four years 1.6% of WA pools were overdue for inspection at 30 June 2021 57% of authorities were up to date with their inspections, but this is a decline Most WA local governments are progressing well with inspections of private pool safety barriers but there is still room for improvement, Building and Energy has reported...
Building and Energy
Media release
09 Dec 2021

Interior gas water heater installation puts family at risk – Danny Brian Langley

Outdoor gas hot water system incorrectly installed in an internal room Risk of potentially fatal exposure to carbon monoxide or fire Gasfitter ignored a rectification order but still unlocked the gas supply A Midvale family was exposed to potential fire and carbon monoxide risks after a licensed gas fitter installed an outdoor-only water heater inside their house and later removed the gas company...
Building and Energy
Media release
17 Nov 2021

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