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

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

Industry Bulletin 101 – Changes to the remittance and refund processes for the Building Services Levy

READ
The Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety administers the Building Services (Complaint Resolution and Administration) Regulations 2011. A series of reviews have been conducted...
Building and Energy
Bulletin
04 Dec 2023

New regulations - Electricity must be switched off before entry into your roof space

READ
New regulations have come into effect which requires electricity to be switched off before people enter the roof space. To assist workers in notifying homeowners of the new regulations the WorkSafe...
WorkSafe
Information
04 Dec 2023

Guidance note - Working in roof spaces

READ
New legislation will be coming into effect on 14 May 2018 which will require all workers performing work for reward at “domestic-type” premises, turn off all sources of electricity by opening the...
WorkSafe
Guidance note
05 Jul 2018

Furniture stability factsheet

READ
Furniture stability From a child’s point of view, your home looks like a big playground. But there are hidden dangers they don’t recognise. Unstable furniture can tip over when a child climbs or...
Consumer Protection
Fact sheet
18 Jan 2022

Property manager fined after falling victim to a holiday accommodation scam (Vicki Redfern): Real estate bulletin issue 166 (December 2017)

21 December 2017 Property manager fined after falling victim to a holiday accommodation scam (Vicki Redfern) A property manager has been reprimanded and fined $2,500 by the State Administrative...
Consumer Protection
Bulletin
14 Aug 2024

BA19 – Request to amend building permit or builder's details

READ
20 May 2019 current version Request to amend building permit or builder's details
Building and Energy
Form – application
28 May 2019

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Announcements

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

Builder fined for fence removal without notifying neighbour – Tiberiu Laurentiu Diaconu

Building Services Board issues $1,000 fine Boundary fence removed without neighbour’s awareness or consent Builders are reminded of their responsibilities A Landsdale registered builder has been fined $1,000 for removing a rear boundary fence at a Balga site without notifying or obtaining consent from the neighbour, who was left without a back fence for several weeks. The Building Services Board...
Building and Energy
Media release
28 Oct 2021

Concreter’s penalty drives home compliance message – Thomas John Sharkey

Failed to comply with official order to rectify driveway work and damage $5,000 fine plus $368.50 in costs Magistrate noted need to deter substandard work and encourage confidence A Woodvale concreter who ignored a Building Commissioner’s order to rectify driveway work and damage has been fined $5,000 following a prosecution by Building and Energy. Thomas John Sharkey pleaded guilty to breaching...
Building and Energy
Media release
21 Oct 2021

Fine for failure to fix modular home in Perth Hills – Gran Designs WA Pty Ltd and David Mario Polak

Failed to comply with Building Commissioner’s order to rectify floor and windows Guilty pleas from company and director after Building and Energy investigation Gran Designs WA is no longer trading Failure to comply with a Building Commissioner’s order to fix a Stoneville modular home has cost a building company and its director almost $7,000 in fines and costs. Following a prosecution by Building...
Building and Energy
Media release
14 Oct 2021

Building surveyor fined over inadequate certification documents – Ronald William Sherar

Building Services Board issues $1,000 fine for deficient certification Some plans, specifications and technical documents did not show compliance with building standards Building surveyors are reminded of their responsibilities A registered building surveyor has been fined $1,000 for misleading the City of Belmont by incorrectly certifying that an apartment project would comply with relevant...
Building and Energy
Media release
13 Oct 2021

Penalty for building registration breach and unauthorised work – Ronald Henry Anthony Goldsword

$136,500 building project carried out without the required registration or permit Building Services Board issued $2,500 fine for registration breach and negligence Home owners encouraged to check registration and permits before work starts Home owners are urged to check their builder’s registration and any permits before building work begins after a Cloverdale couple had to seek retrospective...
Building and Energy
Media release
07 Oct 2021

Is it your smoke alarm’s 10-year anniversary?

Building & Energy and DFES urge home owners to check smoke alarm dates All smoke alarms should be replaced after 10 years Updated fact sheet on smoke alarm laws for selling, leasing and hiring dwellings WA’s building and fire safety authorities have joined forces to remind home owners that all smoke alarms should be replaced when they are 10 years old. Building & Energy and the Department...
Building and Energy
Media release
07 Oct 2021

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