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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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)

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.

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

You can check the price of registration here.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Regulators require that a certain level of health and safety is maintained for the benefit of not just your workers, but all workers on-site. Master Builders Victoria can assist members with advice regarding your OHS obligations.  

Call the MBV assist team on (03) 9411 4555 to find out more. 

According to legislation, an employer must, as far as it is reasonably practicable, provide and maintain a working environment that is safe and without risks to health for all employees. Regulators require that all businesses include OHS in the daily running of their business.  

Call the MBV assist team on (03) 9411 4555 to find out more about the OHS requirements and obligations for you and your business. 

Yes, we have a range of products and services to assist you and your business regardless of the number of workers on-site or the size and nature of the works you undertake. We also deliver WorkSafe Victoria’s free program called ‘OHS Essentials’. OHS Essentials can help you to take control of the OHS requirements for your business.  

Call the MBV assist team on (03) 9411 4555 to find out more. 

Safe Work Method Statements are often named ‘SWMS’ for short. SWMS  are a written methodology on how you and your workers will mitigate risks of high-risk works that you are required to conduct as a part of your day-to-day undertakings. WorkSafe Victoria has mandated that there are 19 high-risk criteria that must have SWMS prior to commencing works.  

Call the MBV assist team on (03) 9411 4555 to find out more about how we can assist you with SWMS.  

You are in control of your work site and it is your decision as to who can enter your site. Unless an authority visits, nobody can set foot onto your site without your permission. 

Call the MBV assist team on (03) 9411 4555 to find out more. 

The nature of the injury or incident you have had on-site will determine the course of action you will need to take. 

If it’s a small incident and requires a band-aid, then an incident report may be the only course of action required. However, if the incident is larger than just first aid on-site, you may be required to inform relevant authorities.  

If you are unsure if the incident requires reporting, give WorkSafe Victoria a call as they will be able to answer your questions and provide further assistance if required.  

If the incident involves external regulators and you may need legal advice, call the MBV assist team on (03) 9411 4555.  

If the CFMEU has wants to visit your site and investigate alleged safety breaches that they have been informed of, they are allowed allowed to do so but, they must  have correct paperwork in place prior to entering your site.  

These circumstances can be complicated so if you are unsure of your rights, call the MBV assist team on (03) 9411 4555 and we will help you to work through the right of entry requirements.