Building Work

Building Work

In Victoria, Section 3 of the Victorian Building Act 1993 defines building work as “work for or in connection with the construction, demolition or removal of a building;”

For the purposes of defining building work we also need to consider the term "construct" or "construction" which is also defined in the Act in relation to a building to include the following;

  1. build, re-build, erect or re-erect the building; and
  2. repair the building; and
  3. make alterations to the building; and
  4. enlarge or extend the building; and
  5. place or relocate the building on land;

Schedule 3

The definition of building work also has some exclusions covered in Schedule 3 of the Regulations.

In relation to fire protection systems and equipment and essential safety measures the following items of Schedule 3 might apply;

Item Description of building or building work exempted from building permit and occupancy permit Building regulations that building or building work exempted from
3

Repair, renewal or maintenance of a part of an existing building, if the building work—

  1. will not adversely affect the structural soundness of the building, and does not include—
    1. an increase or decrease in the floor area or height of the building;
    2. underpinning or replacement of footings; or
    3. the removal or alteration of any element of the building that is contributing to the support of any other element of the building; and
  2. is done using materials commonly used for the same purpose as the material being replaced; and
  3. will not adversely affect the safety of the public or occupiers of the building; and
  4. will not adversely affect an essential safety measure relating to the building.
 All Parts
4

Alterations to a building, if the building work—

  1. will not adversely affect the structural soundness of the building, and does not include—
    1. an increase or decrease in the floor area or height of the building; or
    2. underpinning or replacement of footings; or
    3. the removal or alteration of any element of the building that is contributing to the support of any other element of the building; and
  2. will not project beyond the street alignment; and
  3. will not adversely affect the safety of the public or occupiers of the building; and
  4. is not work carried out on, or in connection with, a building included on the Heritage Register within the meaning of the Heritage Act 2017 ; and
  5. is not work in relation to, and will not adversely affect, an essential safety measure relating to the building.
 Parts 3 to 19
18

A relocatable building that is a movable unit within the meaning of the Housing Act 1983 that is constructed for a community service and is to be used or intended to be used to provide temporary accommodation on a non-profit basis if—

  1. the building or building work will not adversely affect the safety of the public or the occupiers of the building; and
  
19

A relocatable building used as a school or TAFE institute within the meaning of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 if—

  1. the building or building work will not adversely affect the safety of the public or the occupiers of the building.
  

Please consult the Relevant Building Surveyor for specific expert advice in relation to building work.

Disclaimer

In preparing this definition, we have drawn from various sources including Legislation, Codes, Standards and industry information, research and knowledge.  Like the english language, these definitions may subtly change from time to time. As such these definitions are provided solely on the basis that users will be responsible for making their own assessment of the definition and and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.