On 16 June 2016 the VBA published a fact sheet regarding the increase to the threshold amount for the issue of building permits for domestic building work to be carried out without a major domestic building contract (effective 4 July 2016).

This fact sheet has been replaced to clarify that the increase to the threshold applies only to building surveyors (in considering whether to issue a building permit) and not to owner-builders (in considering whether a certificate of consent is required).

Between 4 July and 1 September an owner-builder will still require a certificate of consent in relation to work valued above $12,000 but a building surveyor will need to be satisfied that the applicant has been issued with a certificate of consent only if the work is valued above $16,000. From 1 September the threshold for when a certificate of consent is required will increase to $16,000 to match the threshold for when a building surveyor must be satisfied the applicant has a certificate of consent.

The fact sheet can be found here and more detail on the VBA reforms are on the VBA website.