Required certification · Australia
BPC (Building and Plumbing Commission, formerly VBA)
Victoria's building and plumbing regulator, formerly the VBA: plumber registration and licensing, builder oversight and domestic building insurance
Market position
The Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC) began operating in July 2025 and says the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) is now part of it, bringing building regulation, dispute resolution and domestic building insurance under one roof. It registers and licenses Victorian plumbers and regulates building practitioners. Under the Building Legislation Amendment (Buyer Protections) Act 2025, fully in force by 1 July 2026, domestic building insurance must be obtained solely from the Authority, which can also order the rectification of incomplete, non-compliant or defective building work.
Australia-specific note
Victorian plumbers hold either a registration, renewed every three years, or a licence, renewed every year, and the BPC requires licensed plumbers to show evidence of the relevant insurance before it issues or renews a licence. Domestic building insurance, previously provided through the Victorian Managed Insurance Authority, now comes solely from the Authority under the 2025 Act.
Pros
- + One body for building regulation, dispute resolution and domestic building insurance
- + Can order rectification of incomplete, non-compliant or defective building work
- + Plumber registration runs for three years between renewals
Cons
- − Licensed plumbers renew every year and must show proof of insurance
- − The 2025 Act added minimum financial requirements and proof of insurance for building practitioners
- − Rules changed in 2025-2026, so older VBA guidance may be out of date
Typical Australia pricing
Official registration and licence fees are set by the BPC and published on its fee pages; they are not reproduced here. Registered plumbers renew every three years and licensed plumbers every year.
Why this matters for Australia trades
Trade licensing is run by the states: Building Commission NSW issues NSW building and trade licences, QBCC licenses Queensland builders, plumbers and drainers (electrical work is licensed separately by the Electrical Safety Office), Victoria’s Building and Plumbing Commission registers and licenses plumbers, Building and Energy registers WA builders and licenses electricians, plumbers and gas fitters, and CBS licenses South Australian building and PGE contractors. Automatic Mutual Recognition lets licence holders from participating states work in NSW and, depending on the occupation, in WA, usually after notifying; Queensland does not take part. Employers report pay and super to the ATO through STP-enabled payroll software each payday, and from 1 July 2026 must pay the 12% super guarantee when they pay wages.
Australian trades vendor selection is shaped by state-based licensing, Single Touch Payroll (STP) reporting to the ATO, super guarantee payments (due with each pay run under Payday Super from 1 July 2026), GST registration once turnover reaches $75,000 (per business.gov.au), and local lead services such as hipages, Localsearch and Yellow Pages.
Frequently asked
Is BPC (Building and Plumbing Commission, formerly VBA) a good fit for Australia trades?
The Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC) began operating in July 2025 and says the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) is now part of it, bringing building regulation, dispute resolution and domestic building insurance under one roof. It registers and licenses Victorian plumbers and regulates building practitioners. Under the Building Legislation Amendment (Buyer Protections) Act 2025, fully in force by 1 July 2026, domestic building insurance must be obtained solely from the Authority, which can also order the rectification of incomplete, non-compliant or defective building work. Victorian plumbers hold either a registration, renewed every three years, or a licence, renewed every year, and the BPC requires licensed plumbers to show evidence of the relevant insurance before it issues or renews a licence. Domestic building insurance, previously provided through the Victorian Managed Insurance Authority, now comes solely from the Authority under the 2025 Act.
What does BPC (Building and Plumbing Commission, formerly VBA) cost in Australia?
Official registration and licence fees are set by the BPC and published on its fee pages; they are not reproduced here. Registered plumbers renew every three years and licensed plumbers every year. Pricing and availability can change by region; confirm current Australia pricing on the vendor's site before committing.
Other Australia vendors
Building Commission NSW (formerly NSW Fair Trading licensing)
Required certification
QBCC (Queensland Building and Construction Commission)
Required certification
Australian Taxation Office (ATO)
Required certification
Building and Energy (WA)
Required certification
Consumer and Business Services (CBS, South Australia)
Required certification
Hipages
Lead generation