Victoria’s building regulator is no longer a sleeping giant. In the second half of 2023 alone, the VBA issued more than $230,000 in penalties, closing over 1,700 complaints and running hundreds of investigations. Across 2022–24, more than $2 million in fines have been collected from builders and plumbers — with unregistered and unlicensed work a consistent feature in enforcement outcomes.

The cases making headlines show just how high the stakes have become. In July 2024, Aycon Constructions and its nominee director were hit with a record $250,000 penalty for lodging over 150 building permit applications with false domestic building insurance certificates. Registrations were cancelled, and the company and director were disqualified — essentially shut out of the industry.

These are not isolated incidents. The VBA’s enforcement register is littered with fines, suspensions, and disqualifications for practitioners who either didn’t understand their licensing obligations or chose to ignore them. Once a matter escalates, the cost is measured not just in money, but in lost contracts, industry reputation, and the ability to legally trade.

If you’re a sole trader or company director in Victoria, now is the time to ask yourself the hard question: are you absolutely certain your licence and insurance align with the work you’re doing? The regulators are checking — and they don’t need much to open a case file. Seeking advice now can be the cheapest investment you make all year.