The record amount is a result of VBA disciplinary action taken against builders, building surveyors and plumbers for a range of offences under the Building Act 1993.
The offences include non-compliant work, fraudulent conduct, failure to comply with rectification notices and failure to be appropriately licensed or registered.
More than $1.5 million in fines were collected from builders and building surveyors and more than $530,000 from plumbers in the period from 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2024.
The crackdown on outstanding penalties is part of wider reforms underway to prioritise and protect consumers and improve the VBA’s regulatory effectiveness.
The payments result from streamlining processes, including a targeted strategy to ensure practitioners with unpaid fines are held to account.
The $2 million preceded a $250,000 penalty handed down to Aycon Constructions and nominee director Mr Seyit Ayranci in July.
That record VBA penalty came after Aycon was immediately suspended in April for carrying out domestic building work without the required insurance.
The disciplinary action included the cancellation of Mr Ayranci’s registration and a disqualification for three years, the statutory maximum, on the grounds he was not a fit and proper person and he engaged in unprofessional conduct.
Consumers should check the VBA’s website to ensure their builder or plumber is registered or licensed and whether they’ve been subject to disciplinary action.
Quotes attributable to VBA Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer Anna Cronin
“The message to practitioners is crystal clear – a penalty is not just a piece of paper – we will pursue you through the courts if you don’t pay up.”
“Collecting these fines and holding builders and plumbers to account – drives better performance and conduct and also acts as a deterrent.”
“The VBA takes a risk-based approach to compliance and enforcement – improving consumer outcomes by directing resources to the areas that pose the greatest harm to building owners and occupiers.”
