What is the Domestic Building List?
What can VCAT do?
Independent advice
Legal representation
Contact details
Your privacy and VCAT
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What is the Domestic Building List?
The Domestic Building List is a part of the Victorian Civil & Administrative Tribunal which was established under the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 1998. The Domestic Building List exists to resolve domestic building disputes between home owners, builders, insurers, architects and certain others.
The functions of the Tribunal include hearing and determining:
- domestic building disputes;
- disputes relating to insurance claims concerning domestic building work (applications to VCAT are usually required to be made within 28 days after receiving notice from the insurer of the decision);
- matters referred under the House Contracts Guarantee Act 1987.
- injunctions sought in relation to domestic building work.
What can VCAT do?
In the course of settling disputes, the tribunal must act fairly and may make orders:
- requiring the parties to attend a compulsory conference;
- referring the matter to mediation;
- ordering the payment of money, including money owing, damages or restitution;
- varying a term of a domestic building contract;
- declaring that a term of a domestic building contract is or is not void;
- declaring void any unjust term of a contract or varying a contract to avoid injustice;
- ordering the refund of money paid under a domestic building contract;
- ordering rectification or completion of defective or incomplete work.
Independent advice
A party to a dispute arising under a domestic building contract may ask the Building Commission (Telephone: 9285 6400) to appoint an inspector to examine whether or not the builder is complying with the plans and specifications. A fee is payable.
It is recommended that legal advice be sought if you have a dispute. You should speak to your solicitor or contact the
Law Institute’s referral service on (9607 9550). Builders may wish to contact their industry association.
Legal representation
A party may be legally represented at a hearing if all parties agree, or with the permission of the tribunal, or if a party (such as an insurer) who is permitted to be represented is so represented. The extent of the participation of legal representatives at a mediation is largely dependent on the co-operation of the parties.
Contact details
Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal
Domestic Building List
55 King Street
Melbourne, Victoria 3000
(Inquiries at Ground floor)
Telephone: 9628 9999
Facsimile: 9628 9988
(Office Hours: 9.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.)