No. Under the Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC) guidance updated 30 June 2026, domestic building insurance (DBI) does not cover work valued at more than $10,000 when an unregistered builder or tradesperson carries it out. The threshold includes labour, building materials and GST and should cover the project’s total value; figures checked 1 October 2026.
How is the $10,000 project value calculated?
The BPC says the threshold must include the following:
| Project component | How to assess it |
|---|---|
| Labour | Include the cost |
| Building materials | Include the cost |
| GST | Include the GST amount |
| Overall project | The threshold should cover the project’s total value |
For domestic building work valued at more than $10,000, the BPC says a registered builder is required. Registration requirements can also depend on the builder’s category or class and the work involved, so the total price is not the only consideration.
What risks come from using an unregistered builder?
The immediate insurance risk is that the work will not be covered by DBI. The BPC also says consumers may have no protection from poor-quality work when an unregistered builder or tradesperson carries out work valued over $10,000.
This is a regulatory issue as well as an insurance issue. The BPC can investigate and prosecute a person who is unregistered but carries out work requiring registration.
How do Photo ID and disciplinary-register checks help?
Use each check for the information it actually provides.
- Check the practitioner’s Photo ID. The BPC says all registered building practitioners, except companies, are issued with a Photo ID card. The card lists the category of registration and the work the practitioner is eligible to complete. Check that category against the work proposed.
- Search the disciplinary register. The register records disciplinary action taken against industry professionals and companies. It can be searched for either a practitioner or company being considered for the project.
- Assess the result in context. A listing does not necessarily mean the professional or company should not be used. The BPC suggests considering personal recommendation, price, evidence of work quality, professional status and your own judgement of their character alongside disciplinary history.
A company does not receive a Photo ID under the BPC rule described above, but the disciplinary-register search is available for companies as well as individual professionals.
What should I check before entering a contract?
The BPC page refers readers to Consumer Affairs Victoria for information about domestic building contracts, when they are required, and resources for planning and managing domestic building projects.
Before proceeding, check the current BPC regulator page for registration requirements and read the product disclosure statement (PDS) for any relevant DBI policy. This article is general information, not financial or legal advice.
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FAQ
Is work worth exactly $10,000 over the BPC threshold?
Not on this threshold alone. The BPC requirement applies to domestic building work worth more than $10,000. The work type and the builder’s category or class may still create other registration requirements.
Does every registered builder have a Photo ID?
No. The BPC says Photo ID cards are issued to all registered building practitioners except companies. For an individual practitioner, check that the registration category shown on the card covers the proposed work.
Does a disciplinary listing automatically disqualify a builder?
No. The BPC says a listing does not necessarily mean that a professional or company should not be used. Consider the disciplinary information alongside references, price, evidence of work quality, professional status and your own assessment.
Can the BPC recommend a builder for my project?
No. The BPC states that it cannot recommend building practitioners. Consumers can use its registration guidance and disciplinary register, then consult Consumer Affairs Victoria’s broader domestic-building resources.