Residential Tenancies (Caravan Parks and Movable Dwellings Registration and Standards) Regulations 2024 (Victoria)

These Regulations establish a statutory scheme for the registration of caravan parks in Victoria and prescribe technical, safety and service standards that apply to caravan parks, movable dwellings and annexes. Mechanically, the instrument does the following.

Creates a mandatory registration requirement for anyone operating a caravan park (regulation 9). Operating without registration attracts a penalty (20 penalty units) and councils keep registers of caravan parks (regulation 17).
Sets application and renewal procedures, including two application forms and phased documentary requirements (Forms 1A and 1B in Schedule 1). Applications made before 1 January 2025 follow Form 1A; applications on or after that date must follow Form 1B and include an emergency management plan prepared within the previous 12 months and attached to Form 5 (regulations 10 and 11).
Prescribes council decision mechanics: a relevant Council must grant or renew registration if satisfied the caravan park complies with these Regulations and must issue a certificate of registration or renewal in the Form 2 (regulation 12).
Imposes fees for registration and renewal determined by the relevant Council but capped by the Schedule 2 fee table expressed in fee units (regulation 16; Schedule 2). The instrument sets maximum fire-inspection fees for fire authorities (regulation 46).
Provides for transfer and notification procedures on change of ownership, including a transfer fee (regulations 14-15).
Implements detailed standards for fire and emergency management (Part 3 Division 1). The CFA Caravan Park Fire Safety Guidelines are incorporated by reference for fire equipment, separation and access objectives, and fire authority reports are required in support of applications (regulations 18-19; schedule and Table of Applied Documents in the Endnotes).

Version No. 001

Residential Tenancies (Caravan Parks and Movable Dwellings Registration and Standards) Regulations 2024

S.R. No. 58/2024

Version as at
29 June 2024

TABLE OF PROVISIONS

Regulation Page

Part 1—Preliminary 1

1 Objective 1

2 Authorising provisions 1

3 Commencement 1

4 Revocations 2

5 Definitions 2

6 Meaning of adjacent structure 6

7 Schedule of works 7

8 Application of the BCA 7

Part 2—Registration 9

9 Requirement to register 9

10 Application for registration 9

11 Application for renewal of registration 10

12 Grant or renewal of registration 12

13 Period of registration 13

14 Notice of transfer of ownership 14

15 Transfer of registration 14

16 Fees 15

17 Register of caravan parks 16

Part 3—Standards 17

Division 1—Fire and emergency management 17

18 Fire prevention and safety—equipment 17

19 Fire prevention and safety—access and separation 17

20 Emergency management planning 19

21 Councils to notify of and consult with emergency services agencies 21

22 Display of emergency procedures 21

23 Display of public emergency warnings 21

24 Flood areas—notification of residents 22

Division 2—Amenities 22

25 Water supply 22

26 Sewage and wastewater 23

27 Sanitary facilities 24

28 Laundry facilities 24

29 Garbage bins 25

30 Lighting 25

31 Compliance with Division 2—schedule of works 25

Division 3—Standards for movable dwellings and annexes 26

32 Design, construction, energy efficiency and installation standards—unregistrable movable dwellings 26

33 Design, construction and installation standards—annexes 27

34 Smoke alarms for movable dwellings 27

35 Compliance plate 28

36 Movable dwelling must not be installed without compliance plate 29

37 Design information to be provided on sale of movable dwelling 29

38 Notice to Council 29

39 Installation certificate 30

40 Termite information 31

Division 4—Maintenance of movable dwellings and sites 31

41 Maintenance of movable dwellings 31

42 Cleaning of movable dwelling 31

43 Maintenance by owners 31

44 Maintenance of sites 32

Division 5—Other standards for caravan parks 32

45 Duties of owners of caravan parks 32

Part 4—Fire authority fees 34

46 Fees 34

Part 5—Transitional and other matters 35

47 Existing unregistrable movable dwellings and rigid annexes 35

48 Continuation of registration 35

Schedule 1—Forms 36

Schedule 2—Registration application fees 42

Schedule 3—Requirements for unregistrable movable dwellings and rigid annexes 44

═════════════

Endnotes 50

1 General information 50

2 Table of Amendments 52

3 Explanatory details 53

Version No. 001

Residential Tenancies (Caravan Parks and Movable Dwellings Registration and Standards) Regulations 2024

S.R. No. 58/2024

Version as at
29 June 2024

Part 1—Preliminary

1 Objective

The objective of these Regulations is to provide for—

(a) registration of caravan parks; and

(b) standards of design, construction, installation and maintenance of movable dwellings in caravan parks; and

(d) the health and safety of residents and short‑term occupiers of caravan parks; and

(e) other matters relating to the regulation of caravan parks and movable dwellings.

2 Authorising provisions

These Regulations are made under sections 514, 515, 515A and 516 of the Residential Tenancies Act 1997.

3 Commencement

These Regulations come into operation on 29 June 2024.

4 Revocations

The following Regulations are revoked—

(a) the Residential Tenancies (Caravan Parks and Movable Dwellings Registration and Standards) Regulations 2020[1];

(b) the Residential Tenancies (Caravan Parks and Movable Dwellings Registration and Standards) Amendment Regulations 2022[2];

(c) the Residential Tenancies (Caravan Parks and Movable Dwellings Registration and Standards) Amendment (Expiry Date) Regulations 2023[3];

(d) the Residential Tenancies (Caravan Parks and Movable Dwellings Registration and Standards) Amendment Regulations 2023[4].

5 Definitions

In these Regulations—

ABCB Housing Provisions means the Housing Provisions Standard as published by the Australian Building Codes Board as issued or remade from time to time;

adjacent structure has the meaning given in regulation 6;

Ambulance Service—Victoria has the same meaning as in section 3(1) of the Ambulance Services Act 1986;

area liable to flooding has the meaning given in regulation 5(2) of the Building Regulations 2018[5];

BCA means the Building Code of Australia;

BCA Volume One means Volume One of the National Construction Code Series, including any Victorian variations or additions set out in Schedule 10 to that Volume;

BCA Volume Two means Volume Two of the National Construction Code Series, including any Victorian variations or additions set out in Schedule 10 to that Volume;

Building Code of Australia has the same meaning as it has in section 3(1) of the Building Act 1993;

camp site means a site that is—

(a) not provided with site services; and

(b) used for the placement of a tent or motor vehicle; and

CFA Guidelines means the CFA Caravan Park Fire Safety Guidelines as published by the Country Fire Authority from time to time;

chassis, in relation to an unregistrable movable dwelling, means the composite platform on which the unregistrable movable dwelling is constructed and which is—

(a) an integral part of the unregistrable movable dwelling; and

(b) capable of fully supporting the unregistrable movable dwelling at all times;

construct, in relation to an unregistrable movable dwelling or rigid annexe, means to manufacture or construct the dwelling or annexe but does not include to do the work necessary to install the dwelling or annexe at a site;

Country Fire Authority means the Authority appointed under section 6(1) of the Country Fire Authority Act 1958;

emergency services agency means—

(a) a responder agency within the meaning of the Emergency Management Act 2013; or

(b) Victoria Police; or

(d) in relation to a caravan park that is located in an area liable to flooding, the relevant floodplain management authority;

fire authority means—

(a) Fire Rescue Victoria; or

(b) the Country Fire Authority;

Fire Rescue Victoria means Fire Rescue Victoria established by section 6 of the Fire Rescue Victoria Act 1958;

flexible annexe means an annexe that, apart from any rigid support frame, has walls and a roof of canvas or other flexible material;

install, in relation to an unregistrable movable dwelling or rigid annexe, means—

(a) to assemble the sections of the dwelling or annexe; and

(b) to position or stabilise the dwelling or annexe; and

(d) to attach the sections of the dwelling or annexe to the footings;

long-term site means a movable dwelling site that is intended for use by a resident;

movable dwelling site means a site for use by a movable dwelling;

National Construction Code Series has the same meaning as in section 3(1) of the Building Act 1993;

on-site wastewater management system has the same meaning as in regulation 4 of the Environment Protection Regulations 2021[6];

relevant Council, in relation to a caravan park, means the Council of the municipal district in which the caravan park is situated;

relevant emergency services agency, in relation to a caravan park, means an emergency services agency with responsibility for the area in which the caravan park is located;

relevant floodplain management authority, in relation to a caravan park, means a person or body with—

(a) floodplain management functions under Division 4 of Part 10 of the Water Act 1989; and

(b) responsibility for the area in which the caravan park is located;

rigid annexe means an annexe that has walls and a roof constructed of non-flexible materials;

schedule of works means an agreement referred to in regulation 7;

short-term occupier means a person who occupies a site but not as a resident;

short-term site—

(a) means a movable dwelling site that is intended for use by a short-term occupier only; and

(b) does not include a camp site;

site services means provision to individual movable dwelling sites of any or all of the following services—

(a) electricity;

(b) gas;

(d) telephone;

(e) a sewer, septic or other system for the collection, removal and disposal of sewage and wastewater;

tent means a movable dwelling that, apart from any rigid support frame, has walls and a roof of canvas or other flexible material;

the Act means the Residential Tenancies Act 1997;

tie-down gear, in relation to an unregistrable movable dwelling or annexe, means a device that connects the anchor point to the means of restraint.

6 Meaning of *adjacent structure*

In these Regulations, adjacent structure means a non-habitable building or structure that—

(a) is not a movable dwelling; and

(b) is adjacent or attached to a movable dwelling; and

(d) is a Class 10a or 10b building under the BCA.

Note

Part A6 of the BCA Volume Two lists the classes of building for the purposes of the BCA and provides that Class 10 includes—

(a) Class 10a—a non-habitable building including a private garage, carport, shed or the like; and

(b) Class 10b—a structure that is a fence, mast, antenna, retaining or free-standing wall, swimming pool or the like.

7 Schedule of works

A caravan park owner and the relevant Council may enter into a written agreement setting out works to be undertaken by the caravan park owner and a timeline for the undertaking of those works, for the purposes of—

(a) regulations 18 and 19, having regard to any report by a fire authority in relation to the caravan park; and

(b) Division 2 of Part 3 (other than regulations 25(4) and 29).

8 Application of the BCA

(1) If a person is required by these Regulations to comply or act in accordance with a provision of the BCA in relation to—

(a) an unregistrable movable dwelling; or

(b) a rigid annexe—

that provision of the BCA applies as if the dwelling or annexe were a Class 1 building within the meaning of Part A6 of the BCA Volume Two.

(2) If a person is required by these Regulations to comply or act in accordance with a provision of the BCA and a provision of these Regulations, to the extent of any inconsistency between the requirements of the provision of the BCA and the provision of these Regulations, the provision of these Regulations prevails.

Note

Section 517 of the Act provides that Part 12A of the Building Act 1993 (plumbing work) applies to movable dwellings situated in a caravan park.

Part 2—Registration

9 Requirement to register

A person must not operate a caravan park unless the caravan park is registered under these Regulations.

Penalty: 20 penalty units.

10 Application for registration

(1) A person may apply for registration of a caravan park.

(2) An application for registration made before 1 January 2025 must—

(a) be made to the relevant Council; and

(b) be in the form of Form 1A in Schedule 1; and

(i) the location and number of all buildings and facilities; and

(ii) all long-term sites, short-term sites and camp sites; and

(d) include the most recent report issued to the applicant by a fire authority; and

(e) include the schedule of works for the caravan park, if any, and evidence regarding compliance with the schedule of works; and

(f) include the emergency management plan for the caravan park; and

(g) be accompanied by the registration application fee determined under regulation 16.

(3) An application for registration made on or after 1 January 2025 must—

(a) be made to the relevant Council; and

(b) be in the form of Form 1B in Schedule 1; and

(i) the location and number of all buildings and facilities; and

(ii) all long-term sites, short-term sites and camp sites; and

(d) include the most recent report issued to the applicant by a fire authority; and

(e) include the schedule of works for the caravan park, if any, and evidence regarding compliance with the schedule of works; and

(f) include an emergency management plan for the caravan park that—

(i) was prepared not more than 12 months prior to the application; and

(ii) is attached to a cover sheet in the form of Form 5 in Schedule 1; and

(g) be accompanied by the registration application fee determined under regulation 16.

11 Application for renewal of registration

(1) A person may apply for renewal of registration of a caravan park.

(2) An application for renewal of registration made before 1 January 2025 must—

(a) be made to the relevant Council; and

(b) be in the form of Form 1A in Schedule 1; and

(i) the location and number of all buildings and facilities; and

(ii) all long-term sites, short-term sites and camp sites; and

(d) include the most recent report issued to the applicant by a fire authority; and

(e) include the schedule of works for the caravan park, if any, and evidence regarding compliance with the schedule of works; and

(f) include the emergency management plan for the caravan park; and

(g) be accompanied by the renewal application fee determined under regulation 16.

(3) An application for renewal of registration made on or after 1 January 2025 must—

(a) be made to the relevant Council on or before 1 August of the year in which the current registration expires; and

(b) be in the form of Form 1B in Schedule 1; and

(i) the location and number of all buildings and facilities; and

(ii) all long-term sites, short-term sites and camp sites; and

(d) include a report issued to the applicant by a fire authority that meets the requirement set out in subregulation (4); and

(e) include the schedule of works for the caravan park, if any, and evidence regarding compliance with the schedule of works; and

(f) include an emergency management plan for the caravan park that—

(i) was prepared not more than 12 months prior to the application; and

(ii) is attached to a cover sheet in the form of Form 5 in Schedule 1; and

(g) be accompanied by the renewal application fee determined under regulation 16.

(4) For the purposes of subregulation (3)(d), the requirement is—

(a) if there is a schedule of works for the caravan park—

(i) that the report was issued by the fire authority within 3 years prior to the application; and

(ii) that the report was not included in a previous application; or

(b) in any other case, that the report was issued within 5 years prior to the application.

12 Grant or renewal of registration

(1) On receiving an application for registration of a caravan park, the relevant Council must grant the registration if satisfied that the caravan park complies with these Regulations.

(2) On receiving an application for renewal of registration of a caravan park, the relevant Council must renew the registration if satisfied that the caravan park complies with these Regulations.

(3) In determining an application for registration or renewal of registration of a caravan park, the relevant Council must have regard to—

(a) the report by a fire authority included in the application; and

(b) the applicant's compliance with the schedule of works for the caravan park, if any; and

(d) whether or not the caravan park complies with Part 3; and

(e) the applicant's record of compliance with the Act and these Regulations.

(4) On granting the registration of a caravan park, the relevant Council must issue a certificate of registration in the form of Form 2 in Schedule 1.

(5) On renewing the registration of a caravan park, the relevant Council must issue a certificate of renewal of registration in the form of Form 2 in Schedule 1.

13 Period of registration

(1) Initial registration of a caravan park takes effect on the day specified in the certificate of registration.

(2) Renewal of registration of a caravan park takes effect on the day specified in the certificate of renewal of registration.

(3) Registration of a caravan park expires at the end of the calendar year that is 2 years after the calendar year in which the registration takes effect.

Examples

1 If registration takes effect on 1 January 2026, it expires on 31 December 2028.

2 If registration takes effect on 1 July 2026, it expires on 31 December 2028.

14 Notice of transfer of ownership

(1) A person who has transferred ownership of a registered caravan park to another person must give notice of that transfer to—

(a) the relevant Council; and

(b) that other person.

(2) Notice of transfer of ownership must be—

(a) in the form of Form 3 in Schedule 1; and

(b) accompanied by—

(i) the current certificate of registration; and

(ii) the transfer fee of 5 fee units.

(3) A person to whom ownership of a caravan park has been transferred must ensure that, for 30 days after the day on which the person receives the notice under subregulation (1), a copy of the notice is displayed in a prominent position at the caravan park office or a place determined by the relevant Council.

Penalty: 10 penalty units.

15 Transfer of registration

(1) On receiving a notice of transfer of ownership under regulation 14, the relevant Council must transfer the registration of the caravan park to the new owner if the caravan park is currently registered.

(2) On transferring the registration of a caravan park, the relevant Council must issue a certificate of transfer of registration in the form of Form 4 in Schedule 1 to the person to whom registration is transferred.

(3) A person to whom registration of a caravan park has been transferred must ensure that, for 30 days after the day on which the person receives the certificate under subregulation (2), the certificate is displayed in a prominent position at the caravan park office or a place determined by the relevant Council.

Penalty: 10 penalty units.

16 Fees

(1) The fee to accompany an application for registration or renewal of registration of a caravan park is the fee determined by the relevant Council.

(2) The fee determined by the relevant Council must not exceed—

(a) if the period of registration is to be 3 years, the fee specified in Column 3 of Schedule 2 corresponding to the total number of sites of the caravan park (other than camp sites) specified in Column 2 of that Schedule; or

(b) if the period of registration is to be less than 3 years, the fee determined by the following formula—

where—

A is the maximum fee;

B is the fee determined under paragraph (a);

C is the number of whole months of the period of registration.

17 Register of caravan parks

(1) A Council must keep a register of the caravan parks in its municipal district.

(2) The register under subregulation (1) must contain the following information in respect of each caravan park—

(a) the registration number as shown on the certificate of registration or the certificate of renewal of registration;

(b) the date of the initial application for registration;

(d) the name and business address of the caravan park owner;

(e) the name and business address of any person other than the caravan park owner who is responsible for the management of the caravan park;

(f) the address of the caravan park;

(g) the date of registration;

(h) the date of any renewal of registration;

(i) the date of any transfer of registration;

(j) the name and business address of each person to whom the registration is transferred.

Part 3—Standards

Division 1—Fire and emergency management

18 Fire prevention and safety—equipment

(1) For the purposes of section 518B(1) of the Act, fire fighting equipment must be provided in a manner that meets Objective 1 and Objective 7 of the CFA Guidelines in accordance with the requirements of the CFA Guidelines.

(2) Despite subregulation (1), if there is a schedule of works for a caravan park which provides for works in relation to the provision of fire fighting equipment, the caravan park owner is not required to comply with subregulation (1) until the relevant date specified in the schedule of works.

(3) For the purposes of section 518B(2) of the Act, the prescribed standard is—

(a) if there is a schedule of works for a caravan park which provides for works in relation to the maintenance of fire fighting equipment, Objective 1 and Objective 7 of the CFA Guidelines, met in accordance with the requirements of the schedule of works; or

(b) in any other case, Objective 1 and Objective 7 of the CFA Guidelines, met in accordance with the requirements of the Guidelines.

19 Fire prevention and safety—access and separation

(1) For the purposes of section 518C of the Act, the prescribed standard for a new caravan park is Objective 2, Objective 3 and Objective 7 of the CFA Guidelines, met in accordance with the requirements of the Guidelines.

(2) For the purposes of section 518C of the Act, the prescribed standard for an existing caravan park is—

(a) if there is a schedule of works for the caravan park which provides for works in relation to the space around movable dwellings and adjacent structures—

(i) Objective 2, Objective 3 and Objective 7 of the CFA Guidelines, met in accordance with the requirements of the schedule of works; or

(ii) a space that is no less than the space that was between and around movable dwellings on 28 June 2024, met in accordance with the schedule of works; or

(b) in any other case—

(i) Objective 2, Objective 3 and Objective 7 of the CFA Guidelines, met in accordance with the requirements of the Guidelines; or

(ii) a space that is no less than the space that was between and around movable dwellings on 28 June 2024.

(3) For the purposes of section 518C of the Act, the prescribed standard for a new movable dwelling in an existing caravan park is—

(a) if there is a schedule of works for the caravan park which provides for works in relation to the space around movable dwellings and adjacent structures—

(i) Objective 2, Objective 3 and Objective 7 of the CFA Guidelines, met in accordance with the requirements of the schedule of works; or

(ii) a space between and around the new dwelling that is no less than the space that was provided between and around the previous dwelling installed on that site, met in accordance with the schedule of works; or

(b) in any other case—

(i) Objective 2, Objective 3 and Objective 7 of the CFA Guidelines, met in accordance with the requirements of the Guidelines; or

(ii) a space between and around the new dwelling that is no less than the space that was provided between and around the previous dwelling installed on that site.

(4) In this regulation—

existing caravan park means a caravan park operating on 29 June 2024;

new caravan park means a caravan park that begins operating on a day after 29 June 2024.

20 Emergency management planning

(1) For the purposes of section 518D(1) of the Act, an emergency management plan must be prepared by a caravan park owner in consultation with relevant emergency services agencies.

(2) In preparing an emergency management plan, a caravan park owner, in consultation with relevant emergency services agencies, must conduct a risk assessment to identify, analyse and evaluate the emergency risks associated with the caravan park.

(3) An emergency management plan must—

(a) specify the risks identified, analysed and evaluated by the caravan park owner in the risk assessment; and

(b) describe the measures to be taken to reduce emergency risks so far as is reasonably practicable, having regard to—

(i) the likelihood of an emergency risk eventuating; and

(ii) the degree of harm that would result if the emergency risk eventuated; and

(iii) the availability and suitability of measures to reduce the emergency risk; and

(iv) the cost of reducing the emergency risk.

(4) The measures referred to in subregulation (3)(b) must include—

(a) preventative measures to reduce—

(i) the likelihood of an emergency affecting the caravan park; and

(ii) the degree of harm that would result if the caravan park is affected by an emergency; and

(b) emergency procedures to be followed by the caravan park owner on receiving a public emergency warning or in the event of an emergency, including—

(i) communication measures; and

(ii) response measures; and

(iii) evacuation procedures; and

(c) emergency procedures to be followed by residents, short-term occupiers and all other persons at the caravan park in the event of an emergency, including—

(i) communication measures; and

(ii) response measures; and

(iii) evacuation procedures.

21 Councils to notify of and consult with emergency services agencies

(1) For the purposes of regulation 20, on the request of a caravan park owner, the relevant Council must notify the caravan park owner of the relevant emergency services agencies for the caravan park.

(2) The relevant Council may consult with the relevant emergency services agencies when making a determination under section 518F(1) of the Act.

22 Display of emergency procedures

For the purposes of section 518D(2) of the Act, the prescribed manner of displaying emergency procedures for a caravan park is that they be displayed in a prominent position in—

(a) the caravan park office; and

(b) each building in the caravan park that contains communal facilities; and

23 Display of public emergency warnings

(1) For the purposes of section 518E(1) of the Act, the prescribed manner of displaying a copy of a public emergency warning is that it be displayed in a prominent position in—

(a) the caravan park office; and

(b) each building in the caravan park that contains communal facilities; and

(2) The copy of the public emergency warning must be displayed until the warning is no longer current.

24 Flood areas—notification of residents

(1) If a caravan park is in an area liable to flooding, the caravan park owner must give written notice of that fact to—

(a) the owner of an unregistrable movable dwelling or a registrable movable dwelling with an attached rigid annexe before the dwelling or annexe is installed on a movable dwelling site in the caravan park; and

(b) to a person who proposes to be a resident of an unregistrable movable dwelling or a registrable movable dwelling with an attached rigid annexe before the resident takes up residency of that dwelling.

Penalty: 20 penalty units.

(2) In determining whether or not a caravan park owner has complied with this regulation, the relevant Council may consult with the relevant floodplain management authority.

Division 2—Amenities

25 Water supply

(1) Subject to regulation 31, a caravan park owner must ensure that water provided in a caravan park that is intended for drinking is safe for human consumption in accordance with the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 6 (2011), endorsed by the National Health and Medical Research Council and the Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council, published in 2011 as in force from time to time.

Penalty: 20 penalty units.

(2) Subject to regulation 31, a caravan park owner must ensure that a continuous and adequate supply of water is provided in the caravan park to—

(a) all sites other than camp sites; and

(b) all sanitary and laundry facilities in the caravan park.

Penalty: 20 penalty units.

(3) Subject to regulation 31, a caravan park owner must ensure that a continuous and adequate supply of heated water is provided to all sanitary and laundry facilities in the caravan park.

Penalty: 20 penalty units.

(4) On and from 1 January 2025, a caravan park owner must ensure that any water that is provided in the caravan park that is non-potable is clearly marked with a non-potable water sign.

Penalty: 20 penalty units.

(5) For the purposes of subregulation (4), a non‑potable water sign is a sign that meets AS1319–1994.

26 Sewage and wastewater

Subject to regulation 31, a caravan park owner must ensure that all sewage and wastewater discharged from a movable dwelling in a caravan park is discharged—

(a) to a reticulated sewerage system; or

(b) to an on-site wastewater management system approved by—

(i) in the case of a system designed to discharge 5000 litres of sewage a day or less, the relevant Council under Chapter 4 of the Environment Protection Act 2017; or

(ii) in the case of a plant designed to discharge more than 5000 litres of sewage a day, the Environment Protection Authority under Chapter 4 of the Environment Protection Act 2017.

Penalty: 20 penalty units.

27 Sanitary facilities

Subject to regulation 31, a caravan park owner must ensure that the sanitary facilities provided for the caravan park are at least to the standard set by the deemed-to-satisfy provision contained in clause F4D2 in the BCA Volume One for a Class 3 building (other than a Class 3 residential aged care building) on the basis of one person per site for every site that does not have private sanitary facilities in an unregistrable movable dwelling.

Penalty: 20 penalty units.

28 Laundry facilities

Subject to regulation 31, a caravan park owner must ensure that the laundry facilities provided for the caravan park are at least the following, for every 25 long-term sites or part thereof where private laundry facilities are not provided—

(a) a wash trough and washing machine;

(b) a clothes dryer or 25 metres of clothes line;

Penalty: 10 penalty units.

29 Garbage bins

A caravan park owner must ensure that bins provided at the caravan park for the collection and storage of garbage are—

(a) vermin proof; and

(b) regularly cleaned.

Penalty: 20 penalty units.

30 Lighting

Subject to regulation 31, a caravan park owner must ensure that the lighting of common areas, roadways, recreation areas and paths in use in the caravan park enables the safe and convenient use of the caravan park.

Penalty: 20 penalty units.

31 Compliance with Division 2—schedule of works

Despite anything in this Division (other than regulations 25(4) and 29), if there is a schedule of works for a caravan park which provides for works that would enable the caravan park owner to comply with a provision of this Division, the caravan park owner is not required to comply with that provision until the relevant date specified in the schedule of works.

Division 3—Standards for movable dwellings and annexes

32 Design, construction, energy efficiency and installation standards—unregistrable movable dwellings

(1) A person who constructs an unregistrable movable dwelling for installation in a caravan park must do so in accordance with the following requirements, as if the unregistrable movable dwelling were a Class 1 building within the meaning of the BCA Volume Two—

(a) the relevant design and construction requirements of the BCA Volume Two set out in clause 1 of Schedule 3;

(b) the relevant design and construction requirements set out in clause 2 of Schedule 3.

Penalty: 20 penalty units.

(2) A person who constructs an unregistrable movable dwelling for installation in a caravan park must do so in accordance with the relevant energy efficiency requirements set out in clause 3 of Schedule 3.

Penalty: 20 penalty units.

(3) A person who installs an unregistrable movable dwelling in a caravan park must do so in accordance with the relevant installation requirements set out in clause 4 of Schedule 3.

Penalty: 20 penalty units.

33 Design, construction and installation standards—annexes

(1) A person who constructs an annexe for installation in a caravan park must do so in accordance with the relevant design and construction requirements set out in clause 5 of Schedule 3.

Penalty: 20 penalty units.

(2) A person who installs an annexe in a caravan park must do so in accordance with the relevant installation requirements set out in clause 6 of Schedule 3.

Penalty: 20 penalty units.

34 Smoke alarms for movable dwellings

(1) A person who constructs a movable dwelling, for installation in a caravan park other than a flexible annexe or tent, must ensure that a smoke alarm that complies with clause 9.5.1(b) of the ABCB Housing Provisions as incorporated by the deemed-to-satisfy provision in clause H3D6(1) of the BCA Volume Two is located in accordance with clause 9.5.2 of those ABCB Housing Provisions.

Penalty: 20 penalty units.

(2) A person who installs a newly constructed movable dwelling, other than a flexible annexe or tent, in a caravan park must ensure that the smoke alarm specified in subregulation (1) is connected to the consumer power mains where consumer power mains are supplied to the movable dwelling.

Penalty: 20 penalty units.

(3) The owner of a movable dwelling, other than a flexible annexe or tent, in a caravan park, must ensure that a smoke alarm that complies with clause 9.5.1(b) of the ABCB Housing Provisions as incorporated by the deemed-to-satisfy provision in clause H3D6(1) of the BCA Volume Two is installed in the dwelling.

Penalty: 20 penalty units.

(4) The owner of a movable dwelling, other than a flexible annexe or tent, in a caravan park must ensure that any smoke alarm installed in the movable dwelling is maintained in working order.

Penalty: 20 penalty units.

35 Compliance plate

A person who constructs an unregistrable movable dwelling or rigid annexe for installation in a caravan park must ensure that a compliance plate is permanently affixed to the front of the dwelling or rigid annexe containing the following information—

(a) name and address of the person who constructed the dwelling or annexe;

(b) the year the dwelling or annexe was constructed;

(c) a statement that the unregistrable movable dwelling or rigid annexe has been constructed in accordance with these Regulations.

Penalty: 20 penalty units.

36 Movable dwelling must not be installed without compliance plate

A person must not install an unregistrable movable dwelling or rigid annexe in a caravan park unless it bears a compliance plate referred to in regulation 35.

Penalty: 20 penalty units.

37 Design information to be provided on sale of movable dwelling

A person who sells a new unregistrable movable dwelling or a new rigid annexe must at the time of sale provide the purchaser with a set of installation designs appropriate to the design, wind speed, soil type and other considerations appropriate to the dwelling or annexe and its proposed location.

Penalty: 20 penalty units.

38 Notice to Council

If it is proposed to install an unregistrable movable dwelling or rigid annexe in a caravan park, the caravan park owner must provide the relevant Council with details of the siting, structural design and proposed installation of the dwelling or annexe—

(a) at least 7 days before installation; or

(b) at such earlier time as is required in writing by the relevant Council.

Penalty: 20 penalty units.

39 Installation certificate

(1) A person who installs an unregistrable movable dwelling or rigid annexe in a caravan park must provide the owner of the unregistrable movable dwelling or rigid annexe with an installation certificate that complies with subregulation (2) immediately on completion of the installation.

Penalty: 20 penalty units.

(2) An installation certificate must—

(a) contain—

(i) the name and address of the person who installed the dwelling or annexe; and

(ii) the year the dwelling or annexe was installed; and

(iii) a copy of installation designs appropriate to the design, wind speed, soil type and other considerations to the dwelling or annexe and its location; and

(b) certify that—

(i) all information provided in the certificate is complete and correct in every particular; and

(ii) the caravan park owner approved the installation; and

(iii) the installation, service connections and siting of the dwelling or annexe comply with these Regulations.

(3) The owner of the unregistrable movable dwelling or rigid annexe must give a copy of the installation certificate to the caravan park owner and the relevant Council within 7 days after the completion of the installation.

Penalty: 20 penalty units.

40 Termite information

If a caravan park is in an area that the relevant Council has designated under regulation 150 of the Building Regulations 2018 as an area in which buildings are likely to be subject to attack by termites, the caravan park owner must give written notice of this to the owner of a movable dwelling who intends to install the dwelling in the caravan park, before the installation takes place.

Penalty: 20 penalty units.

Division 4—Maintenance of movable dwellings and sites

41 Maintenance of movable dwellings

A caravan park owner must maintain a movable dwelling hired to a short-term occupier—

(a) in working order; and

(b) in a good state of repair; and

Penalty: 20 penalty units.

42 Cleaning of movable dwelling

A caravan park owner must ensure that a movable dwelling available for short-term occupiers is clean and hygienic at each change of occupier.

Penalty: 20 penalty units.

43 Maintenance by owners

(1) An owner of a movable dwelling in a caravan park must maintain the dwelling if it is hired to a short‑term occupier—

(a) in working order; and

(b) in a good state of repair; and

Penalty: 20 penalty units.

(2) An owner of a movable dwelling in a caravan park must maintain the dwelling—

(a) in a good state of repair; and

(b) in a clean, sanitary and hygienic condition.

Penalty: 20 penalty units.

44 Maintenance of sites

Each resident or short-term occupier in a caravan park must keep the site clean and free of any thing or substance that may affect the health and safety of other persons.

Penalty: 20 penalty units.

Division 5—Other standards for caravan parks

45 Duties of owners of caravan parks

(1) A caravan park owner must ensure that the person responsible for management of the caravan park can be contacted at all times in case of an emergency.

Penalty: 20 penalty units.

(2) A caravan park owner must ensure that any vehicle of an emergency services agency can access the caravan park at all times without delay.

Penalty: 20 penalty units.

(3) A caravan park owner must ensure that the name and telephone number of an emergency contact person are displayed in a prominent position at the caravan park office or a place determined by the relevant Council.

Penalty: 20 penalty units.

(4) A caravan park owner must ensure that a register is maintained specifying—

(a) the name and address of each resident and short-term occupier of the caravan park; and

(b) the arrival and departure date of each resident and short-term occupier.

Penalty: 20 penalty units.

(5) A caravan park owner must ensure that the following are displayed in a prominent position at the caravan park office or a place determined by the relevant Council—

(a) the certificate of registration or certificate of renewal of registration;

(b) the plan of the caravan park included in the application for registration or renewal of registration;

Penalty: 20 penalty units.

(6) A caravan park owner must ensure that the following documents are accessible, on request, to residents and short-term occupiers of the caravan park—

(a) the Act;

(b) these Regulations;

(d) the caravan park rules made under section 185 of the Act.

Penalty: 20 penalty units.

Part 4—Fire authority fees

46 Fees

(1) A fire authority may charge a fee for carrying out an inspection and preparing a report in respect of fire safety and emergency management planning in a caravan park.

(2) The maximum fee for carrying out an inspection and preparing a report in respect of fire safety and emergency management planning in a caravan park is—

(a) 10 fee units for the first hour; and

(b) 2·5 fee units for each subsequent quarter hour or part thereof.

Part 5—Transitional and other matters

47 Existing unregistrable movable dwellings and rigid annexes

An unregistrable movable dwelling or rigid annexe in a caravan park that, immediately before 29 June 2024, complied with the Residential Tenancies (Caravan Parks and Movable Dwellings Registration and Standards) Regulations 2020 is taken to comply with these Regulations on and from that day, unless it ceases to comply with the Residential Tenancies (Caravan Parks and Movable Dwellings Registration and Standards) Regulations 2020 as a result of non-maintenance or alteration.

48 Continuation of registration

(1) A caravan park that, immediately before 29 June 2024, was registered under the Residential Tenancies (Caravan Parks and Movable Dwellings Registration and Standards) Regulations 2020 is taken to be registered under these Regulations until the registration would have otherwise expired under the Residential Tenancies (Caravan Parks and Movable Dwellings Registration and Standards) Regulations 2020.

(2) The registration of a caravan park referred to in subregulation (1) may be renewed or transferred in accordance with these Regulations.

Schedule 1—Forms

Form 1A

Regulations 10 and 11

Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Application for *Registration/*Renewal of Registration of a Caravan Park

To [name of relevant Council]:

I [applicant's name] of [applicant's address] being the owner of [name of caravan park] situated at [address of caravan park] apply for *registration/
*renewal of registration of [caravan park name].

Number of long-term sites:

Number of short-term sites:

Number of camp sites:

The following documents, which are required to be included with this application under *regulation 10/*regulation 11, have been included:

 a plan of the caravan park;

 the most recent report issued by a fire authority;

 the schedule of works for the caravan park (if any);

 the emergency management plan for the caravan park.

Signature:

Date:

*Delete if not applicable.

Form 1B

Regulations 10 and 11

Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Application for *Registration/*Renewal of Registration of a Caravan Park

To [name of relevant Council]:

Number of long-term sites:

Number of short-term sites:

Number of camp sites:

The following documents, which are required to be included with this application under *regulation 10/*regulation 11, have been included:

 a plan of the caravan park;

 a report issued by a fire authority;

 the schedule of works for the caravan park (if any);

 an emergency management plan for the caravan park prepared within the previous 12 months.

Signature:

Date:

*Delete if not applicable.

Form 2

Regulation 12

Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Certificate of *Registration/*Renewal of Registration of a Caravan Park

The [name of relevant Council], being satisfied that [name of caravan park] complies with the Residential Tenancies (Caravan Parks and Movable Dwellings Registration and Standards) Regulations 2024:

*registers/*renews the registration of [name of caravan park] situated at [address of caravan park].

The certificate is granted to [name of owner of caravan park] of [address of owner of caravan park].

Registration number issued:

The certificate has effect from / / until 31/12/ .

Name of person authorised to issue certificate:

Signature of person authorised to issue certificate:

Date of issue:

*Delete if not applicable.

Form 3

Regulation 14

Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Notice of Transfer of Ownership of a Caravan Park

To [name of relevant Council]:

I [name of previous caravan park owner] of [address], the holder of a certificate of registration of [name of caravan park] situated at [address of caravan park], provide notice that ownership of [name of caravan park] has been transferred to:

Name of new caravan park owner:

Address of new caravan park owner:

Signature of previous caravan park owner:

Date:

Form 4

Regulation 15

Residential Tenancies Act 1997

Certificate of Transfer of Registration of a Caravan Park

The [name of relevant Council] transfers the registration set out on this certificate to [name and address of new caravan park owner] from this date until 31/12/ .

Caravan park:

Registration number:

Name of person authorised to issue certificate:

Signature of person authorised to issue certificate:

Date of issue:

FORM 5

Regulations 10 and 11

Residential Tenancies Act 1997

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLAN (COVER SHEET)

I [applicant's name] of [applicant's address], being the owner of [name of caravan park] situated at [address of caravan park], submit for review to [name of relevant Council] the attached emergency management plan.

I confirm that—

(a) the attached plan for [*name of caravan park*] was finalised on [*date*]; and

(b) the attached plan was developed to comply with regulation 20 of the Residential Tenancies (Caravan Parks and Movable Dwellings Registration and Standards) Regulations 2024; and

(c) I have consulted with the emergency services agencies specified in the following table—

Emergency services agency	Branch/Depot	Phone number	Dates consulted

Schedule 2—Registration application fees

Regulation 16

Column 1<br>Item no.	Column 2<br>Total number of sites (other than camp sites)	Column 3<br>Maximum fee
1	Not exceeding 25	17 fee units
2	Exceeding 25 but not exceeding 50	34 fee units
3	Exceeding 50 but not exceeding 100	68 fee units
4	Exceeding 100 but not exceeding 150	103 fee units
5	Exceeding 150 but not exceeding 200	137 fee units
6	Exceeding 200 but not exceeding 250	171 fee units
7	Exceeding 250 but not exceeding 300	205 fee units
8	Exceeding 300 but not exceeding 350	240 fee units
9	Exceeding 350 but not exceeding 400	274 fee units
10	Exceeding 400 but not exceeding 450	308 fee units
11	Exceeding 450 but not exceeding 500	342 fee units
12	Exceeding 500 but not exceeding 550	376 fee units
13	Exceeding 550 but not exceeding 600	411 fee units
14	Exceeding 600 but not exceeding 650	445 fee units
15	Exceeding 650 but not exceeding 700	479 fee units
16	Exceeding 700 but not exceeding 750	513 fee units
17	Exceeding 750 but not exceeding 800	547 fee units
18	Exceeding 800 but not exceeding 850	582 fee units
19	Exceeding 850 but not exceeding 900	616 fee units
20	Exceeding 900 but not exceeding 950	650 fee units
21	Exceeding 950 but not exceeding 1000	684 fee units
22	Exceeding 1000 but not exceeding 1050	719 fee units
23	Exceeding 1050 but not exceeding 1100	753 fee units
24	Exceeding 1100 but not exceeding 1150	787 fee units
25	Exceeding 1150 but not exceeding 1200	821 fee units
26	Exceeding 1200 but not exceeding 1250	855 fee units
27	Exceeding 1250 but not exceeding 1300	890 fee units
28	Exceeding 1300 but not exceeding 1350	924 fee units
29	Exceeding 1350 but not exceeding 1400	958 fee units
30	Exceeding 1400 but not exceeding 1450	992 fee units
31	Exceeding 1450 but not exceeding 1500	1027 fee units
32	Exceeding 1500	1095 fee units

Schedule 3—Requirements for unregistrable movable dwellings and rigid annexes

Regulations 32 and 33

1 Design and construction of unregistrable movable dwellings—BCA requirements for design and construction

(1) The BCA requirements for the design and construction of unregistrable movable dwellings are the whole of the BCA Volume Two except for the following provisions—

(a) Performance Requirement H1P1(2)(o) and the deemed-to-satisfy provisions contained in clause H1D3(3) (termite risk management);

(b) the deemed-to-satisfy provisions contained in clauses H1D5 and H2D4 (masonry);

(c) the deemed-to-satisfy provisions contained in clauses H1D7(1), H1D7(2) and H1D7(3)(b)(ii)(B) (roof tiles and shingles);

(d) Objectives H3O1(b) and H7O1(e), Functional Statements H3F1 and H7F4, Performance Requirements H3P1 and H7P5, the deemed-to-satisfy provisions contained in clauses H3D3 (fire separation of external walls) and H7D4 (construction in bushfire prone areas);

(e) Objective H4O3(b) and (c), Functional Statement H4F3(a) and (b), Performance Requirement H4P3(1) and (2), clause 10.4.1(1)(b) to (e) of the ABCB Housing Provisions as incorporated by the deemed‑to‑satisfy provisions contained in clause H4D5 (sanitary facilities);

(f) Objective H7O1(a) and (b), Functional Statement H7F1, Performance Requirements H7P1 and H7P2, the deemed-to-satisfy provisions contained in clause H7D2 (swimming pools);

(g) Part H6 (energy efficiency);

(h) Part H8 (liveable housing design).

(2) In addition to the requirements set out in subclause (1) an unregistrable movable dwelling must be designed for a minimum design wind speed of N3 in accordance with Table 4 in Schedule 1 in the BCA Volume Two.

2 Design and construction unregistrable movable dwellings—Other requirements

(1) The chassis, or structural framing, of an unregistrable movable dwelling or a major part of an unregistrable movable dwelling, must be capable of supporting the structure adequately at all times, including during transportation and installation.

(2) An unregistrable movable dwelling must be provided with easily accessible anchor points for the attachment of tie-down gear.

(3) The enclosed floor area (including the area of any annexe) of an unregistrable movable dwelling used by a resident must be at least 15 square metres.

3 Energy efficiency requirements for unregistrable movable dwellings

(1) The roof insulation must have a minimum R‑Value of R3.3 and the wall insulation must have a minimum R-Value of R1.5.

(2) For metal-framed dwellings, where metal framing members directly connect the external cladding to the internal lining, a thermal break such as timber, polystyrene strips, plywood or compressed bulk insulation must be provided.

(3) All sides of doors and windows must be sealed to restrict air infiltration. A range hood and exhaust fan must be provided with a flap that closes when not in use.

(4) To enable cross ventilation, an external window must be of a design other than a top hung awning window.

4 Installation requirements for unregistrable movable dwellings

(1) Footings of an unregistrable movable dwelling, including slab-on-ground footings, must be designed and constructed in accordance with AS/NZS 1170.1:2002 and AS/NZS 1170.2:2021, as in force from time to time, using a design terrain category of not less than 2·5 metres, so that they adequately support and resist—

(a) the dead load of the structure above; and

(b) any live load; and

(2) An unregistrable movable dwelling must be installed to bear firmly onto, and be securely attached to, the footings provided.

(3) If an unregistrable movable dwelling on a chassis has wheels and axles, they may be removed if the dwelling is placed on footings in accordance with the requirements of this Schedule.

(4) An unregistrable movable dwelling of more than one storey must be installed so that it complies with—

(a) regulation 83 (other than regulation 83(3)) of the Building Regulations 2018 (overshadowing of recreational private open space); and

(b) regulation 84 (other than regulation 84(9)) of the Building Regulations 2018 (overlooking).

5 Design and construction requirements for annexes

(1) An annexe to a movable dwelling must not remain erected if the movable dwelling is not on site.

(2) The enclosed area of a rigid annexe attached to a registrable movable dwelling must be—

(a) no longer than the body of the movable dwelling; and

(b) no wider than 3·6 metres.

(3) The enclosed area of a rigid annexe attached to an unregistrable movable dwelling must be—

(a) no longer than the body of the movable dwelling; and

(b) no wider than 3·6 metres; and

(4) The height of a rigid annexe must not exceed the average height of the roof of the movable dwelling to which it is attached.

(5) If the caravan park is in an area that is liable to flooding, the floor level of the rigid annexe may be level with the floor level of the movable dwelling to which it is attached.

(6) The components of the wall and roof of a rigid annexe, excluding windows and doors, must be of commercially manufactured modular panel construction.

(7) All structural elements of a rigid annexe, including connections, bracing and tie‑down gear, must be designed and constructed to adequately support the loads specified in AS/NZS 1170.1:2002 and AS/NZS 1170.2:2021, as in force from time to time, using a design terrain category of not less than 2·5 metres.

(8) A floor that is used in a rigid annexe must be of modular construction and secured with removable fasteners unless it is a concrete slab-on-ground with a vapour barrier beneath constructed as a fixture to a site.

(9) If any floor that is used in a rigid annexe is constructed of structural sheeting, the under floor surface must be at least 150 millimetres above ground level and must have adequate ventilation.

(10) A rigid annexe must have roof flashings and perimeter wall flashings to prevent water entering the annexe.

(11) The height of the ceiling of a rigid annexe must average no less than 2·2 metres.

(12) All parts of the ceiling of a rigid annexe must exceed 2·1 metres in height.

(13) All glass used in a rigid annexe must comply with AS 1288–2021 as in force from time to time.

(14) Natural daylight must be provided to each room of the annexe by windows or doors that measure not less than 10 per cent of the floor area of the annexe.

(15) Natural ventilation must be provided to each room of the annexe by windows that measure not less than 5 per cent of the floor area of the annexe.

(16) A flexible annexe, attached to a movable dwelling that is used as a residence, must not be used as a bathroom, toilet or laundry.

6 Installation requirements for annexes

(1) A rigid annexe must comply with clause 4(1).

(2) If a rigid annexe is attached to a registrable movable dwelling, the registrable movable dwelling must be installed so that the dwelling—

(a) is secure and will not move; and

(b) is on footings that will support the live and dead load of the dwelling and keep it in a stable position.

(3) If a rigid annexe is installed to adjoin a movable dwelling, the dwelling must have a minimum window area of at least 10 per cent of the floor area of each room.

(4) At least 50 per cent of the window area referred to in subclause (3) must consist of windows which are capable of being opened to the outside.

═════════════

Endnotes

1 General information

See www.legislation.vic.gov.au for Victorian Bills, Acts and current Versions of legislation and up-to-date legislative information.

The Residential Tenancies (Caravan Parks and Movable Dwellings Registration and Standards) Regulations 2024, S.R. No. 58/2024 were made on 25 June 2024 by the Governor in Council under sections 514, 515, 515A and 516 of the Residential Tenancies Act 1997, No. 109/1997 and came into operation on 29 June 2024: regulation 3.

The Residential Tenancies (Caravan Parks and Movable Dwellings Registration and Standards) Regulations 2024 will sunset 10 years after the day of making on 25 June 2034 (see section 5 of the Subordinate Legislation Act 1994).

INTERPRETATION OF LEGISLATION ACT 1984 (ILA)

Style changes

Section 54A of the ILA authorises the making of the style changes set out in Schedule 1 to that Act.

References to ILA s. 39B

Sidenotes which cite ILA s. 39B refer to section 39B of the ILA which provides that where an undivided regulation, rule or clause of a Schedule is amended by the insertion of one or more subregulations, subrules or subclauses the original regulation, rule or clause becomes subregulation, subrule or subclause (1) and is amended by the insertion of the expression "(1)" at the beginning of the original regulation, rule or clause.

Interpretation

As from 1 January 2001, amendments to section 36 of the ILA have the following effects:

• Headings

All headings included in a Statutory Rule which is made on or after
1 January 2001 form part of that Statutory Rule. Any heading inserted in a Statutory Rule which was made before 1 January 2001, by a Statutory Rule made on or after 1 January 2001, forms part of that Statutory Rule.
This includes headings to Parts, Divisions or Subdivisions in a Schedule; Orders; Parts into which an Order is divided; clauses; regulations; rules; items; tables; columns; examples; diagrams; notes or forms.
See section 36(1A)(2A)(2B).

• Examples, diagrams or notes

All examples, diagrams or notes included in a Statutory Rule which is made on or after 1 January 2001 form part of that Statutory Rule. Any examples, diagrams or notes inserted in a Statutory Rule which was made before 1 January 2001, by a Statutory Rule made on or after 1 January 2001, form part of that Statutory Rule. See section 36(3A).

• Punctuation

All punctuation included in a Statutory Rule which is made on or after
1 January 2001 forms part of that Statutory Rule. Any punctuation inserted in a Statutory Rule which was made before 1 January 2001, by a Statutory Rule made on or after 1 January 2001, forms part of that Statutory Rule.
See section 36(3B).

• Provision numbers

All provision numbers included in a Statutory Rule form part of that Statutory Rule, whether inserted in the Statutory Rule before, on or after
1 January 2001. Provision numbers include regulation numbers, rule numbers, subregulation numbers, subrule numbers, paragraphs and subparagraphs. See section 36(3C).

• Location of "legislative items"

A "legislative item" is a penalty, an example or a note. As from 13 October 2004, a legislative item relating to a provision of a Statutory Rule is taken to be at the foot of that provision even if it is preceded or followed by another legislative item that relates to that provision. For example, if a penalty at the foot of a provision is followed by a note, both of these legislative items will be regarded as being at the foot of that provision. See section 36B.

• Other material

Any explanatory memorandum, table of provisions, endnotes, index and other material printed after the Endnotes does not form part of a Statutory Rule. See section 36(3)(3D)(3E).

2 Table of Amendments

There are no amendments made to the Residential Tenancies (Caravan Parks and Movable Dwellings Registration and Standards) Regulations 2024 by statutory rules, subordinate instruments and Acts.

3 Explanatory details

Reg. 4(a): S.R. No. 48/2020 as amended by S.R. Nos 125/2022, 58/2023 and 106/2023. ↑
Reg. 4(b): S.R. No. 125/2022. ↑
Reg. 4(c): S.R. No. 58/2023. ↑
Reg. 4(d): S.R. No. 106/2023. ↑
Reg. 5 def. of area liable to flooding: S.R. No. 38/2018 as amended by S.R. Nos 38/2018, 75/2018, 100/2018, 180/2018, 40/2019, 116/2019, 21/2020, 42/2020, 83/2020, 101/2020, 73/2021, 128/2021, 50/2022, 61/2022, 65/2023, 80/2023, 102/2023, 122/2023, 132/2023 and 2/2024. ↑
Reg. 5 def. of on-site wastewater management system: S.R. No. 47/2021 as amended by S.R. Nos 82/2021, 92/2021, 123/2021, 131/2021, 132/2021, 85/2022, 86/2022, 120/2022 and 115/2023.

——

Fee Units

These Regulations provide for fees by reference to fee units within the meaning of the Monetary Units Act 2004.

The amount of the fee is to be calculated, in accordance with section 7 of that Act, by multiplying the number of fee units applicable by the value of a fee unit.

The value of a fee unit for the financial year commencing 1 July 2023 is $15.90 and for the financial year commencing 1 July 2024 is $16.33. The amount of the calculated fee may be rounded to the nearest 10 cents.

The value of a fee unit for future financial years is to be fixed by the Treasurer under section 5 of the Monetary Units Act 2004. The value of a fee unit for a financial year must be published in the Government Gazette and a Victorian newspaper before 1 June in the preceding financial year.

Penalty Units

These Regulations provide for penalties by reference to penalty units within the meaning of section 110 of the Sentencing Act 1991. The amount of the penalty is to be calculated, in accordance with section 7 of the Monetary Units Act 2004, by multiplying the number of penalty units applicable by the value of a penalty unit.

The value of a penalty unit for the financial year commencing 1 July 2023 is $192.31 and for the financial year commencing 1 July 2024 is $197.59. The amount of the calculated penalty may be rounded to the nearest dollar.

The value of a penalty unit for future financial years is to be fixed by the Treasurer under section 5 of the Monetary Units Act 2004. The value of a penalty unit for a financial year must be published in the Government Gazette and a Victorian newspaper before 1 June in the preceding financial year.

——

Table of Applied, Adopted or Incorporated Matter

The following table of applied, adopted or incorporated matter was included in S.R. No. 58/2024 in accordance with the requirements of regulation 5 of the Subordinate Legislation Regulations 2024.

In this table—

ABCB Housing Provisions means the Housing Provisions Standard published by the Australian Building Codes Board dated 1 May 2023;

BCA means the Building Code of Australia;

BCA Volume One means Volume One of the National Construction Code Series, including any Victorian variations or additions set out in Schedule 10 to that Volume;

BCA Volume Two means Volume Two of the National Construction Code Series, including any Victorian variations or additions set out in Schedule 10 to that Volume;

Building Code of Australia has the same meaning as it has in section 3(1) of the Building Act 1993;

CFA Guidelines means the CFA Caravan Park Fire Safety Guidelines, published by the Country Fire Authority effective 1 May 2024.

| **Statutory rule provision** | **Title of applied, adopted or incorporated document** | **Matter in applied, adopted or incorporated document** |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Regulation 5, definition of ***ABCB Housing Provisions*** | ABCB Housing Provisions | The whole |
| Regulation 5, definition of ***BCA Volume One*** | BCA Volume One | The whole |
| Regulation 5, definition of ***BCA Volume Two*** | BCA Volume Two | The whole |
| **Statutory rule provision** | **Title of applied, adopted or incorporated document** | **Matter in applied, adopted or incorporated document** |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Regulation 5, definition of ***CFA Guidelines*** | CFA Guidelines | The whole |
| Regulation 6 | BCA | The whole |
| Regulation 8(1) | BCA | Part A6 of BCA Volume Two |
| Regulation 8(2) | BCA | The whole |
| Regulation 18(1) and (3) | CFA Guidelines | The whole |
| Regulation 19(1), (2)(a)(i) and (b)(i), (3)(a)(i) and (b)(i) | CFA Guidelines | The whole |
| Regulation 25(1) | Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 6 (2011), endorsed by the National Health and Medical Research Council and the Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council, published in 2011 | The whole |
| Regulation 25(5) | AS1319–1994, Safety signs for the occupational environment (Reconfirmed 2018), approved on behalf of the Council of Standards Australia, published on 18 April 1994 | The whole |
| Regulation 27 | BCA Volume One | Part F2.1 |
| **Statutory rule provision** | **Title of applied, adopted or incorporated document** | **Matter in applied, adopted or incorporated document** |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Regulation 32(1)(a) and clause 1(1) of Schedule 3 | BCA Volume Two | The whole |
| Regulation 32(1)(a) and clause 1(2) of Schedule 3 | BCA Volume Two | Table 4 in Schedule 1 |
| Regulation 32(3) and clause 4(1) of Schedule 3 | AS/NZS 1170.1:2002, Structural design actions—Part 1: Permanent, imposed and other actions (Reconfirmed 2016), approved on behalf of the Council of Standards Australia and the Council of Standards New Zealand, published on 4 June 2002, incorporating Amendment Nos 1 and 2<br>AS/NZS 1170.2:2021, Structural design actions—Part 2: Wind actions, approved on behalf of the Council of Standards Australia and the New Zealand Standards Approval Board, published on 30 July 2021, incorporating Amendment No. 1 | The whole<br>    <br>The whole |
| **Statutory rule provision** | **Title of applied, adopted or incorporated document** | **Matter in applied, adopted or incorporated document** |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Regulation 33(1) and clause 5(7) of Schedule 3 | AS/NZS 1170.1:2002, Structural design actions—Part 1: Permanent, imposed and other actions (Reconfirmed 2016), approved on behalf of the Council of Standards Australia and the Council of Standards New Zealand, published on 4 June 2002, incorporating Amendment Nos 1 and 2<br>AS/NZS 1170.2:2021, Structural design actions—Part 2: Wind actions, approved on behalf of the Council of Standards Australia and the New Zealand Standards Approval Board, published on 30 July 2021, incorporating Amendment No. 1 | The whole<br>             <br>The whole |
| Regulation 33(1) and clause 5(13) of Schedule 3 | AS 1288–2021, Glass in buildings—Selection and installation, approved on behalf of the Council of Standards Australia, published on 25 June 2021 | The whole |
| **Statutory rule provision** | **Title of applied, adopted or incorporated document** | **Matter in applied, adopted or incorporated document** |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Regulation 34(1) | ABCB Housing Provisions as incorporated by the BCA Volume Two | Clauses 9.5.1(b) and 9.5.2 of the ABCB Housing Provisions; Clause H3D6(1) of the BCA Volume Two |
| Regulation 34(3) | ABCB Housing Provisions as incorporated by the BCA Volume Two | Clause 9.5.1(b) of the ABCB Housing Provisions; Clause H3D6(1) of the BCA Volume Two |

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1 Residential Tenancies (Caravan Parks and Movable Dwellings Registration and Standards) Regulations 2024

Version No. 001

Residential Tenancies (Caravan Parks and Movable Dwellings Registration and Standards) Regulations 2024

S.R. No. 58/2024

Version as at
29 June 2024

TABLE OF PROVISIONS

Regulation Page

Part 1—Preliminary 1

1 Objective 1

2 Authorising provisions 1

3 Commencement 1

4 Revocations 2

5 Definitions 2

6 Meaning of adjacent structure 6

7 Schedule of works 7

8 Application of the BCA 7

Part 2—Registration 9

9 Requirement to register 9

10 Application for registration 9

11 Application for renewal of registration 10

12 Grant or renewal of registration 12

13 Period of registration 13

14 Notice of transfer of ownership 14

15 Transfer of registration 14

16 Fees 15

17 Register of caravan parks 16

Part 3—Standards 17

Division 1—Fire and emergency management 17

18 Fire prevention and safety—equipment 17

19 Fire prevention and safety—access and separation 17

20 Emergency management planning 19

21 Councils to notify of and consult with emergency services agencies 21

22 Display of emergency procedures 21

23 Display of public emergency warnings 21

24 Flood areas—notification of residents 22

Division 2—Amenities 22

25 Water supply 22

26 Sewage and wastewater 23

27 Sanitary facilities 24

28 Laundry facilities 24

29 Garbage bins 25

30 Lighting 25

31 Compliance with Division 2—schedule of works 25

Division 3—Standards for movable dwellings and annexes 26

32 Design, construction, energy efficiency and installation standards—unregistrable movable dwellings 26

33 Design, construction and installation standards—annexes 27

34 Smoke alarms for movable dwellings 27

35 Compliance plate 28

This instrument rests on a compact of regulatory building blocks: registration, technical standards, emergency and fire planning, and staged compliance via schedules of works. The text repeatedly uses certain conceptual terms; understanding those is necessary to apply the Regulations.

Registration and the role of the Council. Regulation 9 makes registration a precondition to operate a caravan park. Applications are made to the "relevant Council" (regulations 10-11), which must be satisfied before granting or renewing (regulation 12). Councils must maintain a register with specified fields (regulation 17). The Council is therefore the primary decision-maker for registration and renewal, and the Regulations give it both mandatory duties (to grant or renew if satisfied) and consultative responsibilities (for example, notifying relevant emergency services agencies on request and consulting them when assessing emergency planning, regulation 21).
Schedule of works. Regulation 7 permits caravan park owners and the relevant Council to enter a written agreement,the schedule of works,specifying works and timelines for meeting particular obligations (chiefly those in Part 3: fire equipment and separation, and most items in Division 2 amenities except two specified rules). Regulation 31 makes clear that where a schedule of works provides for works that would otherwise be required under Division 2, the caravan park owner is not required to comply with that Division until the relevant date in the schedule of works. Regulation 18(2) and regulation 19(2)(a) likewise permit deferral of fire-equipment or separation obligations where a schedule of works does so. The schedule of works is the primary compliance-phasing mechanism embedded in the instrument.
Fire and emergency standards. The CFA Caravan Park Fire Safety Guidelines (the CFA Guidelines) are incorporated and declared the relevant standards in multiple places (regulations 18-19 and the Table of Applied Documents in the Endnotes). Fire authority reports are required with applications (regulations 10(2)(d), 10(3)(d), 11(2)(d), 11(3)(d)) and councils must have regard to those reports when deciding registration or renewal (regulation 12(3)(a)). The emergency management plan requirement (regulation 20) requires consultation with relevant emergency services agencies, a risk assessment and specified preventive and response measures. Display obligations for emergency procedures and public emergency warnings are prescribed (regulations 22-23).
Technical standards applied or varied. The Regulations import the BCA (Building Code of Australia) and ABCB Housing Provisions and treat unregistrable movable dwellings and annexes "as if" they were Class 1 buildings for many purposes (regulation 8(1)). Schedule 3 then specifies the parts of BCA Volume Two that do not apply and sets explicit additional design, construction, energy efficiency and installation standards for "unregistrable movable dwellings" and annexes (Schedule 3 clauses 1-6). The Table of Applied Documents in the Endnotes lists the incorporated versions and other referenced technical standards (for example AS/NZS 1170 structural standards and AS 1288 for glass).
Definitions and classification. The Regulations define a cluster of terms in regulation 5 and the meaning of "adjacent structure" in regulation 6. Some presumably-important terms used repeatedly in the instrument (for example "unregistrable movable dwelling") are not defined within these Regulations; the drafting therefore signals reliance on either the parent Act, other subordinate instruments or settled usage, and compliance will require cross-reference to those sources where needed. The Regulations also provide a note that section 517 of the Act applies Part 12A of the Building Act 1993 (plumbing work) to movable dwellings (regulation 8 note).
Duties and penalties. The Regulations attach monetary penalties (expressed in penalty units) to many obligations: registration, notices, provision of water and sewage arrangements, sanitary and laundry facilities, smoke alarms, installation certificates and display obligations (see the relevant regulations cited throughout Part 3). The Endnotes supply the translation of fee and penalty units for particular financial years, linking the abstract unit amounts to dollar figures.
Transitional preservation. Existing movable dwellings and registrations that complied with the 2020 Regulations are taken to comply or to continue until expiry under the previous instrument, subject to non-maintenance or alteration (regulations 47-48). The 2024 Regulations therefore effect a continuity bridge for pre-existing setups.
Administrative fees and inspection charging. Regulation 16 permits councils to set fees subject to Schedule 2 maximums (expressed in fee units). Regulation 46 authorises fire authorities to charge inspection/reporting fees up to fixed maxima (10 fee units first hour, 2.5 fee units per subsequent quarter hour or part thereof).

The principal design pattern of the instrument is to set prescriptive technical minima (often by reference to well‑known building and safety codes), to make registration the gatekeeping mechanism, and to provide for staged remediation through a formal schedule of works agreed with the council. Implementation therefore depends on local council processes, fire authority inputs and the practical ability of park owners and builders to meet technical specifications (for example foundation and wind‑loading rules in Schedule 3).

The Regulations create duties and interfaces for a defined set of actors. Below is a focused list of directly affected parties and how the instrument allocates responsibilities and entitlements among them.

Caravan park owners and operators. They have the principal obligations under these Regulations: to register the caravan park before operating (regulation 9), to prepare and provide an emergency management plan (regulation 10(2)(f), 11(3)(f), 20), to comply with fire‑safety and separation requirements (regulations 18-19), to provide safe drinking water and continuous heated water (regulation 25), to ensure sewage and wastewater are discharged appropriately (regulation 26), to provide sanitary and laundry facilities to the specified standard (regulations 27-28), to supply bins and lighting (regulations 29-30), to maintain registers of residents and occupiers and display various documents (regulation 45), and to ensure the park is accessible to emergency services (regulation 45(2)). Non-compliance attracts penalties ranging from 10 to 20 penalty units at the specified points.
Owners or manufacturers of movable dwellings and annexes. The Regulations impose construction, installation and energy efficiency standards on persons who construct unregistrable movable dwellings and annexes (regulations 32-33; Schedule 3). They must affix compliance plates (regulation 35), provide buyers with installation design information on sale (regulation 37), and supply or obtain installation certificates on completion (regulation 39). Where the owner installs a dwelling, the owner must ensure required smoke alarms are installed and maintained (regulation 34). Installers must give notice to Council before installation (regulation 38).
Residents and short‑term occupiers. The Regulations affect them in two ways. First, park owners must ensure certain services for residents and short‑term occupiers (water, sewage, sanitary facilities) and must display emergency procedures and public warnings (regulations 22-23, 25-27). Second, residents and short‑term occupiers have duties to keep sites clean and safe (regulation 44), and their occupancy triggers certain notice obligations for flood-prone parks (regulation 24).
Relevant Councils. Councils are the administrative hub for registration (regulations 10-12), must keep and publish a register (regulation 17), may be asked to identify relevant emergency services agencies (regulation 21(1)), and may consult emergency services when making determinations (regulation 21(2)). Councils also approve on-site wastewater systems under Chapter 4 of the Environment Protection Act 2017 where the system is designed to discharge ≤ 5,000 litres per day (regulation 26(b)(i)), and they set registration fees within Schedule 2 caps (regulation 16).
Fire authorities and emergency services agencies. Fire authorities issue reports that applicants must include with registration/renewal applications (regulations 10-11). Those reports are a mandatory consideration for council decisions (regulation 12(3)(a)). Fire authorities may charge inspection and report fees (regulation 46). Relevant emergency services agencies must be consulted during the preparation of emergency management plans (regulation 20(1)-(2)) and may be consulted by councils on suitability of plans (regulation 21(2)).
Floodplain management authorities and environmental regulators. In caravan parks in areas liable to flooding, floodplain management authorities and councils may be consulted and owners must give written notice to dwelling owners and proposed residents of flood liability (regulation 24). For on-site wastewater systems, approvals and oversight sit with the relevant Council (for systems ≤5,000 L/day) or the Environment Protection Authority (for plants >5,000 L/day) per regulation 26.
Installers, trades and design professionals. The Regulations require installer certification (regulation 39), installation designs appropriate to site-specific wind speed and soil type on sale (regulation 37), specific footing and structural requirements referencing AS/NZS 1170 (Schedule 3 clause 4), and compliance with BCA requirements (regulation 32; Schedule 3). Those professionals will need to demonstrate compliance in installation certificates and in the documentation provided to purchasers and councils.
Short-term lets and tourism operators. Operators hiring out movable dwellings to short‑term occupiers are subject to cleaning and maintenance obligations (regulations 41-42) and must ensure dwellings are in working order, clean and sanitary.

Concentrated costs fall on caravan park owners and persons who design, construct and install movable dwellings and annexes because they bear the technical compliance costs, certification paperwork, and potential inspection fees. Councils bear administrative costs in processing applications, keeping registers and consulting with emergency services. Fire authorities and emergency services absorb inspection and consultation workloads but can recoup inspection costs up to the statutory maxima (regulation 46). Residents benefit from the standards intended to protect health and safety, though they may face higher site rents or reduced supply if compliance costs affect the economics of park operation.

This section synthesises the operative obligations, the rights generated by the Regulations and the interplay of those duties with administrative processes. Citations are to the relevant regulations.

Principal duties imposed on caravan park owners and operators

Register before operating: A person must not operate a caravan park unless it is registered under these Regulations (regulation 9). The sanction is 20 penalty units for non‑registration.
Provide documents with applications: Applications for registration and renewal must include a plan of the park, the most recent fire authority report, a schedule of works if any and evidence of compliance, and an emergency management plan (Forms 1A/1B and regulations 10-11). From 1 January 2025 Form 1B requires an emergency management plan prepared within the previous 12 months attached to Form 5 (regulation 10(3)(f), 11(3)(f)).
Prepare emergency management plans: Owners must prepare an emergency management plan in consultation with relevant emergency services agencies and conduct a risk assessment that identifies risks and specifies measures to reduce them, including communication, response and evacuation procedures for both owners and residents (regulation 20).
Provide and maintain fire-fighting equipment: Fire-fighting equipment must be provided to meet Objective 1 and Objective 7 of the CFA Guidelines (regulation 18(1)) and maintenance must meet those objectives either under a schedule of works or the Guidelines (regulation 18(3)).
Maintain separation and access for fire safety: New parks and new movable dwellings must meet Objectives 2, 3 and 7 of the CFA Guidelines or, where a schedule of works applies, meet those objectives in accordance with the schedule; existing parks may preserve existing spaces provided they are no less than the space on 28 June 2024 (regulation 19).
Water, sewage and sanitation standards: Caravan park owners must ensure potable water complies with the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 6 (2011) and provide continuous adequate supply of water to sites and heated water to sanitary/laundry facilities (regulation 25). Sewage/wastewater must discharge to a reticulated sewer or an approved on-site system with approvals determined under the Environment Protection Act 2017 depending on discharge volume (regulation 26). Sanitary facilities must meet the deemed-to-satisfy provision in BCA Volume One clause F4D2 for a Class 3 building on a one-per-site basis where private facilities are not provided (regulation 27).
Provide laundry facilities and garbage disposal: Laundry facilities and garbage bins must meet specified minimums and be vermin-proof and cleaned regularly (regulations 28-29). Lighting standards for common areas and paths are mandated (regulation 30).
Standards for movable dwellings and annexes: Construction, energy efficiency and installation standards for unregistrable movable dwellings and standards for annexes are set out in Schedule 3 and enforced by regulations 32-33. Smoke alarms complying with clauses of the ABCB Housing Provisions are required and, where consumer power mains are supplied, must be mains‑connected (regulation 34). A compliance plate must be permanently affixed to the front of an unregistrable movable dwelling or rigid annexe with builder name, year and a statement of compliance (regulations 35-36).
Notices and certification on installation and sale: Caravan park owners must notify Council of proposed installations at least 7 days before installation (regulation 38). Installers must provide an installation certificate on completion containing prescribed particulars and certify compliance; the owner must provide copies to the caravan park owner and Council within 7 days (regulation 39). Sellers of new unregistrable movable dwellings/rigid annexes must give purchasers installation designs appropriate to the locality (regulation 37).
Flood and termite information: Where parks are in flood-prone areas or termite-prone areas as designated by the relevant Council/Building Regulations, caravan park owners must give written notice to dwelling owners and proposed residents before installation or taking up residency (regulations 24 and 40).

Maintenance and behavioural duties

Maintain hired dwellings: Caravan park owners must maintain movable dwellings hired to short-term occupiers in working order, in good repair and clean (regulation 41). Owners of movable dwellings have maintenance duties for hired dwellings and generally for their dwellings (regulation 43). Residents and occupiers must keep their sites clean and safe (regulation 44).

Display and record-keeping duties

Emergency information and contact details must be displayed in prominent positions (regulations 22-23, 45(3)-(5)). The caravan park owner must ensure documents (the Act, these Regulations, any exemptions under section 519 of the Act and caravan park rules) are accessible on request to residents and occupiers (regulation 45(6)).

Administrative rights and decision duties

Councils must grant or renew registration where satisfied of compliance (regulation 12(1)-(2)). Councils must keep the register and may transfer registration on notice of transfer if the caravan park is currently registered (regulations 15 and 17). Councils also have a statutory route to consult with and be notified of relevant emergency services agencies (regulation 21).
Owners have the right to enter a schedule of works agreement with the relevant Council (regulation 7). Where a schedule of works exists and provides for phased compliance, caravan park owners may defer some requirements until the dates specified (regulation 31; regulation 18(2) and 19(2)(a)).

Fee and inspection rights

Fire authorities may charge fees for inspections and reports up to the maxima set by regulation 46. Councils may determine registration fees subject to Schedule 2 caps (regulation 16).

Penalty regime

The instrument attaches penalty unit fines to many duties. The Endnotes provide monetary translations for fee and penalty units for particular financial years and explain the mechanism for fixing fee unit values (Endnotes Table: Fee Units and Penalty Units).

Rights of access to exemptions and building law interface

The Regulations require caravan park owners to make any exemptions granted under section 519 of the Act accessible to residents and occupiers (regulation 45(6)(c)). The Regulations also make clear that, for the purposes of these Regulations, selected BCA provisions apply as if the structures were Class 1 buildings and where an inconsistency exists the Regulations prevail over the BCA (regulation 8(1)-(2)).

Collectively, these duties distribute compliance obligations across owners/operators, installers/manufacturers, councils and emergency services. The scheme couples administrative gatekeeping (registration) with technical prescriptions and certification steps to create documentary proof of compliance for the lifecycle of a caravan park and for each installation.

This instrument uses penalty units to enforce many of the substantive obligations; enforcement is primarily administrative with monetary penalties attached to contraventions. The following is a mapped account of enforcement levers and penalty quantum mechanisms.

Penalty magnitudes and conversion

Most breaches carry penalties denominated in penalty units. Several duties carry a maximum of 20 penalty units and some carry 10 penalty units (for example transfers display obligations and laundry standards infractions have 10 penalty units in the scheme). The Endnotes set out the translation of penalty units into dollar amounts for specified financial years. For instance, the value of a penalty unit for the financial year commencing 1 July 2024 is $197.59 (Endnotes). That yields a notional monetary maximum of $3,951.80 for a 20 penalty unit offence and $1,975.90 for a 10 penalty unit offence in that financial year. The Regulations rely on the Sentencing Act penalty‑unit mechanism for monetary enforcement (Endnotes).

Statutory offences and specified penalties

Operating an unregistered caravan park: regulation 9 imposes a 20 penalty unit fine.
Notice of transfer display and transfer certificate display: failure to comply attracts 10 penalty units (regulations 14(3) and 15(3)).
Failure to comply with a range of specified standards , water supply safety and continuity, heated water supply, sewage and wastewater arrangements, sanitary facilities, garbage bin standards, lighting, various installation and construction requirements, compliance plates and smoke alarms, installation certificates and notices , attracts 20 penalty units at the specific provisions (see regulations 25-30, 32-40, 41-45). The laundry facility minimums attract 10 penalty units (regulation 28).
Flood area notice: a caravan park owner failing to give written notice to dwelling owners and proposed residents that the park is in an area liable to flooding commits an offence attracting 20 penalty units (regulation 24(1)).
Failure to provide installation certificates, to provide notice to Council prior to installation, and failure of sellers to deliver installation designs also attract 20 penalty units (regulations 37-39).

Administrative enforcement channels

Councils are charged with registration decision-making and with keeping the register; they are therefore the immediate administrative agency through which compliance and documentation are managed and enforced (regulations 10-12, 17). Councils may consult emergency services agencies when determining whether an emergency management plan complies (regulation 21(2)), and they may consult floodplain management authorities when assessing compliance with flood-related notice obligations (regulation 24(2)).
Fire authorities produce reports required for applications and renewals (regulations 10-11). Regulation 46 permits fire authorities to charge for inspections and reports, thereby creating a mechanism for resourcing inspections and producing the documentary material on which councils will rely.
The Regulations do not create an express criminal enforcement escalation path (for example, no imprisonment is specified). They rather use civil monetary penalties and administrative certificates as enforcement mechanisms.

Interaction of regulatory documentation with enforcement

Compliance plates (regulations 35-36) and installation certificates (regulation 39) are explicit documentary mechanisms: the absence of a plate precludes installation (regulation 36) and installers must certify compliance on completion (regulation 39(2)). These documents serve as both preventative rules (you must have a plate to install) and post-event evidence (certificates to be supplied to Council within 7 days, regulation 39(3)).
The schedule of works is a compliance-phasing device. Where a schedule of works exists and addresses particular items, the caravan park owner may lawfully defer compliance until the date specified in the schedule (regulations 7, 18(2), 19(2)(a) and 31). That mechanism reduces the immediacy of enforcement for specified items but places weight on the Council’s willingness to negotiate and police the schedule.

Practical enforcement implications

Enforcement is likely to be document-driven: councils will assess applications and renewals against the presence and substance of fire reports, installation certificates, emergency management plans, plans of the park and compliance plates. Non-technical breaches (for example failing to display required documents, failing to keep registers or ensure contactability) attract smaller penalties (10 penalty units) but are likely to be easier to detect and enforce.
Inspection fees for fire authorities (regulation 46) are capped: 10 fee units for the first hour and 2.5 fee units for each subsequent quarter hour or part thereof. The Endnotes set out the applicable fee-unit dollar value for particular years (for example, a fee unit of $16.33 for the financial year commencing 1 July 2024), but councils and fire authorities may need to apply these figures to actual invoicing.
Where the Regulations and the BCA are inconsistent, the Regulations prevail for the purposes of these Rules (regulation 8(2)). That means enforcement will rest on the Regulations’ version of the applicable technical standard, not necessarily the BCA text.

In sum, enforcement is a mix of preventive documentary rules (registration, compliance plate, installation certificates), administrative decision-making by councils (granting, renewal, entry of schedules of works), and monetary penalties calculated as penalty units. The Regulations provide for a staged compliance mechanism (the schedule of works) that will influence when and how enforcement applies to particular items.

The Regulations are an instrument made under the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (the Act), and they expressly import and interact with a number of other statutory regimes and technical instruments. The following summarises the direct textual interactions and the practical cross-references that arise from the Regulations.

Parent enabling Act

The Regulations are made under sections 514, 515, 515A and 516 of the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (regulation 2). They therefore sit as subordinate legislation under that Act, implementing the Act’s Part(s) that confer regulatory powers over caravan parks and movable dwellings.

Building law and BCA interface

The Building Code of Australia (BCA) and ABCB Housing Provisions are incorporated by reference for many technical requirements (regulations 5, 8 and Schedule 3). Regulation 8(1) directs that where a person is required to comply with a provision of the BCA in relation to an unregistrable movable dwelling or rigid annexe, the BCA provision applies as if the dwelling or annexe were a Class 1 building under BCA Volume Two. Regulation 8(2) makes an express primacy rule: where there is any inconsistency between a provision of the BCA and these Regulations, the Regulations prevail.
Schedule 3 specifies parts of the BCA Volume Two that do not apply to unregistrable movable dwellings (Schedule 3 clause 1(1)). Schedule 3 also specifies additional design, energy-efficiency and installation requirements (clauses 2-4). The Regulations therefore create a bespoke building‑law regime for movable dwellings within caravan parks that is anchored to but not identical with the mainstream building code.
The Endnotes record that section 517 of the Act provides that Part 12A of the Building Act 1993 (plumbing work) applies to movable dwellings situated in a caravan park (regulation 8 note). Practitioners therefore need to consider Building Act plumbing provisions in addition to these Regulations.

Environment Protection Act and wastewater approvals

Regulation 26 requires sewage and wastewater to be discharged to a reticulated sewer or an on-site wastewater management system approved under Chapter 4 of the Environment Protection Act 2017. It allocates approval authority by capacity: systems designed to discharge 5,000 litres per day or less are approved by the relevant Council; larger plants are approved by the Environment Protection Authority (regulation 26(b)(i)-(ii)).

Local government powers and other Acts

Councils play a central role: application receipt and decision-making, maintaining a public register, setting registration fees (subject to Schedule 2 maxima), and consulting with emergency services and floodplain authorities where relevant (regulations 10-12, 16-17, 21, 24). The Regulations interact with other local regulatory instruments such as the Building Regulations 2018 (referred to in Schedule 3 clauses on overlooking and overshadowing and in regulation 40 on termite areas) and with the Water Act 1989 as it pertains to floodplain management authorities (regulation 5 definition and regulation 24(2)).

Emergency services and fire legislation

The Regulations incorporate the CFA Caravan Park Fire Safety Guidelines and use them as the operative standard for fire equipment, access and separation (regulations 18-19; Endnotes Table). Fire Rescue Victoria, Country Fire Authority and Ambulance Service,Victoria are referenced through definitions in regulation 5. Fire authorities are authorised to charge inspection/report fees (regulation 46).

Other statutory instruments and standards

The Regulations reference and incorporate a range of external technical standards. The Table of Applied, Adopted or Incorporated Matter in the Endnotes lists the ABCB Housing Provisions (1 May 2023), BCA Volume One and Two, CFA Guidelines effective 1 May 2024, Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 6 (2011), AS1319-1994 for non‑potable signage, AS/NZS 1170 structural standards and AS 1288-2021 for glass. The Regulations therefore operate at the intersection of building, environmental and public‑health standards.

Sentencing and Monetary Units Acts for penalties and fees

Penalty and fee units are expressed by reference to the Sentencing Act 1991 and the Monetary Units Act 2004 respectively. The Endnotes provide the conversion values for selected financial years and explain the calculation mechanism.

Interaction with the parent Act

The Regulations require caravan park owners to make available any exemptions granted under section 519 of the Act (regulation 45(6)(c)). That linkage requires practitioners to apply and reconcile any site-specific exemptions under the Act with the obligations in these Regulations.

Priority rules and inconsistency mechanism

Regulation 8(2) contains an express rule that, to the extent of any inconsistency between the requirements of the BCA and these Regulations, the Regulations prevail. This is an internal hierarchical choice inside the subordinate‑legislation and technical-standards framework and means that where the Regulations set bespoke requirements for movable dwellings or annexes, those bespoke requirements will displace the BCA text for the regulated subject matter.

Practical consequences

Because the Regulations import standards from multiple statutory instruments and technical codes, compliance will routinely require cross-referencing to building law, environmental approvals and local government processes. Practitioners will need to reconcile the Regulations with the Building Act 1993, the Building Regulations 2018, the Environment Protection Act 2017 (Chapter 4 approvals), the Water Act 1989 (floodplain functions), and the parent Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (particularly sections referenced in regulation 2 and section 517 as noted).

In short, the instrument is not a stand‑alone technical code; it is a regulatory overlay that both imports and varies other statutory and technical regimes. Compliance therefore requires integrated attention to building, plumbing, environmental and local government approval pathways.

The Regulations replace and revoke earlier subordinate instruments and explicitly record their genesis and related applied documents. The statutory history provided in the instrument and Endnotes is as follows.

Revocation of previous rules: Regulation 4 expressly revokes the Residential Tenancies (Caravan Parks and Movable Dwellings Registration and Standards) Regulations 2020 (S.R. No. 48/2020) and three subsequent amending statutory rules (S.R. Nos 125/2022, 58/2023, 106/2023). The Endnotes (Explanatory details) identify those instruments that the 2024 Regulations replace (Endnotes 1-4).
Date of making and commencement: The Regulations were made on 25 June 2024 by the Governor in Council under the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 and came into operation on 29 June 2024 (regulation 3; Endnotes general information).
Sunset and statutory life: The Endnotes state that the 2024 Regulations will sunset 10 years after the day of making, namely on 25 June 2034, as required by section 5 of the Subordinate Legislation Act 1994 (Endnotes 1).
Applied and incorporated documents with version dates: The Table of Applied, Adopted or Incorporated Matter in the Endnotes lists the exact applied documents and the versions incorporated into the 2024 Regulations. Important dated incorporations include the ABCB Housing Provisions dated 1 May 2023 and the CFA Caravan Park Fire Safety Guidelines effective 1 May 2024. The Schedule 3 structural standards reference AS/NZS 1170.1:2002 (with subsequent amendments) and AS/NZS 1170.2:2021; glass standards reference AS 1288-2021; drinking water guidelines reference the 2011 edition. These precise citations matter for technical compliance and any future amendments to the referenced standards.
Table of Amendments: The instrument’s Endnotes include a Table of Amendments section which, at the time of the printed Version No. 001, records that no amendments have been made to the 2024 Regulations since making (Endnotes 2). The instrument therefore has no later subordinate changes recorded in the present Version 001.
Transitional rules: Regulations 47-48 preserve the legal status of existing unregistrable movable dwellings, rigid annexes and caravan park registrations that complied with the 2020 Regulations, subject to non‑maintenance or alteration and subject to prior expiry schedules. Those transitional rules modulate the pace at which the new Rules alter regulatory entitlements for existing setups.
Incorporation changes relative to earlier versions: The Table in the Endnotes notes applied documents and amendments to previous subordinate instruments that are relevant to definitions (for example the definition of "area liable to flooding" in the Building Regulations 2018 is traced through prior statutory rule amendments). Practitioners seeking amendment history should consult the Endnotes’ Explanatory details and the Table of Amendments referenced in the published instrument.

Practical implications of the amendment history

The 2024 Regulations both continue core elements of the 2020 scheme (for example registration and technical standards) and recast some requirements by re‑incorporating updated external technical instruments (for example the ABCB Housing Provisions dated 1 May 2023 and CFA Guidelines effective 1 May 2024). The table of applied documents in the Endnotes is therefore an essential guide to the contemporary technical text that applies.
Because the 2024 Regulations will sunset in 2034 unless re-made, any long-term investments or compliance programs should account for the instruments’ 10-year statutory life.

The statutory instrument itself (the Regulations) does not include case law or judicial determinations. The text contains no references to reported litigation or judicial interpretation, and the Endnotes do not list decisions. The Table of Amendments (Endnotes 2) records that no amendments to the 2024 Regulations have been made since enactment (Version No. 001 as at 29 June 2024).

Practical points for practitioners considering litigation risk or judicial review

Administrative decision points susceptible to challenge. The Regulations make the relevant Council the decision-maker for registration and renewal (regulation 12). Courts and tribunals typically entertain judicial-review or merits-review challenges to administrative decisions where there is jurisdictional error, failure to take into account relevant considerations or procedural unfairness. The Regulations require councils to have regard to specific materials , in particular the fire authority report, compliance with any schedule of works, whether the emergency management plan complies with regulation 20, compliance with Part 3 and the applicant's record of compliance with the Act and these Regulations (regulation 12(3)). These enumerated compulsory matters could be framed by an applicant or objector in review proceedings where a council fails to address them.
Discretion and "satisfaction" standards. Regulation 12 uses language that the council "must grant" registration if "satisfied" that the park complies with the Regulations. The meaning of "satisfied" and the documentary standard needed for satisfaction is an administrative-law question that could generate litigation if councils either act unreasonably in refusing registration or issue certificates without adequate factual basis. The schedule of works mechanism also creates a potential grounds of dispute where councils and owners disagree about the scope or timelines within a schedule and whether the schedule legitimately defers compliance.
Documentary requirements and proof. The Regulations place weight on documents such as fire authority reports, installation certificates and compliance plates. Disputes about the sufficiency or authenticity of such documents could cause civil litigation or arise in administrative appeals or prosecutions under the penalty provisions. For example, regulation 39 requires an installer to certify compliance and the owner to give a copy to Council within 7 days; failure triggers penalties. The promptness and contents of these certificates are therefore likely focal points for enforcement actions and litigation.
Technical standards and interpretation. The instrument imports technical standards and then excludes or modifies particular parts (Schedule 3 clause 1). Disputes may arise about the proper interpretation or applicability of those standards in particular installation contexts; litigation would likely involve expert evidence and reference to the incorporated standards’ operative texts.
No cases named. Because the instrument does not name any cases, there is no litigation history embedded in the instrument itself to guide interpretation. Practitioners needing to assess likely judicial treatment of these Regulations must therefore draw on general administrative law principles and applicable building and environmental law caselaw rather than on decisions specifically cited in the instrument.

In short, while the instrument contains numerous administrative decision points and documentary prerequisites that could give rise to disputes, the printed version contains no litigation history or named cases. Any litigation developments will emerge only as the Regulations are implemented and enforced in practice.

This section flags specific drafting features and operational traps that are likely to cause compliance friction or require careful attention. Each point cites the relevant regulation or schedule provision.

Schedule of works deferral is broad but not universal. Regulations 7 and 31 allow a caravan park owner and the relevant Council to agree a schedule of works that can defer obligations under certain parts of Part 3, and regulation 18(2) and 19(2)(a) permit deferral of fire‑equipment and space/separation obligations if the schedule so provides. However, regulation 31 expressly excludes compliance deferral for regulation 25(4) (non‑potable water signage) and regulation 29 (garbage bins): those two items must be complied with regardless of any schedule of works. Practically, owners must not assume a schedule of works can be used to defer all standards; water non‑potable signage and garbage-bin standards are immediate.
"Unregistrable movable dwelling" is used but not defined in these Regulations. The instrument repeatedly imposes duties on persons who "construct an unregistrable movable dwelling" (regulation 32 and Schedule 3) and on owners of movable dwellings, but regulation 5’s definitions do not define the term "unregistrable movable dwelling" in the text provided. That may require cross-reference to the parent Act or other subordinate instruments to determine which dwellings fall into this category, and the absence of a local definition in these Regulations can create uncertainty for manufacturers, sellers and installers.
The BCA is applied "as if" but then modified. Regulation 8(1) applies BCA provisions as if dwellings/annexes were Class 1, but regulation 8(2) gives the Regulations primacy where inconsistent. Schedule 3 then excludes specific BCA provisions (Schedule 3 clause 1(1)(a)-(h)) and adds bespoke requirements (Schedule 3 clauses 2-4). Practitioners must therefore not assume the BCA text alone governs compliance; they must read Schedule 3 carefully and follow the Regulations’ bespoke specifications.
Documentary traps and strict timelines. Installers must provide installation certificates immediately on completion and owners must give copies to the caravan park owner and the Council within 7 days (regulation 39(1)-(3)). Failure attracts a 20 penalty unit sanction. Similarly, notice to Council of proposed installation must be given at least 7 days before installation unless the Council requires earlier notice (regulation 38). These short timelines require careful coordination between sellers, installers, caravan park owners and councils.
Compliance plate placement and installation ban. A compliance plate must be permanently affixed to the front of the dwelling/annexe with specified information (regulation 35) and regulation 36 prohibits installation of an unregistrable movable dwelling or rigid annexe unless it bears that plate. Practitioners must ensure plates are prepared and attached before installation; otherwise installation will breach regulation 36.
Fire reports are required and capped inspection fees apply. Applicants must include the most recent report issued by a fire authority in their registration or renewal applications (regulations 10 and 11). Fire authorities may charge inspection/report fees up to statutory maxima (regulation 46). Owners should budget for inspection fees and understand that councils will treat the report as a threshold document for registration and renewal decisions (regulation 12(3)(a)).
Emergency management plan quality and timing. From 1 January 2025 applications (Form 1B) must include an emergency management plan prepared within the previous 12 months and attached to Form 5 (regulation 10(3)(f), 11(3)(f)). Regulation 20 prescribes what the plan must contain, including a risk assessment and measures justified with consideration of likelihood, harm and cost. Councils must have regard to whether plans comply with regulation 20 when deciding applications (regulation 12(3)(c)). Poorly documented or stale plans risk refusal or delay.
Distinction between long-term, short-term and camp sites. The Regulations treat camp sites differently in some contexts (regulation 5 definition of camp site; Schedule 2 fee table counts sites “other than camp sites”). Fee calculations and service obligations refer explicitly to “all sites other than camp sites” (regulation 25(2)). Operators must categorise sites correctly for fee, service and facility calculations.
Sewage approvals split by capacity. Regulation 26 requires discharge to reticulated sewer or an on-site wastewater system approved under Chapter 4 of the Environment Protection Act 2017 and splits approval authority by capacity (≤5,000 L/day = Council; >5,000 L/day = EPA). Misreading the capacity threshold could lead to application to the wrong authority and delay.
Interaction with local council discretion. The Regulations require the Council to be “satisfied” before granting registration (regulation 12). What satisfies a Council may vary between municipalities, particularly for schedule of works negotiation, the acceptability of emergency management plans and interpretations of compliance with Part 3. Operators should engage early with the relevant Council to clarify expectations.
Energy efficiency and construction specifics in Schedule 3. Schedule 3 imposes specific R-values for roof and wall insulation (clause 3(1)), requires minimum enclosed floor area of 15 square metres for dwellings used by a resident (clause 2(3)), requires a minimum design wind speed of N3 (clause 1(2)), and sets footing design and installation to AS/NZS 1170 standards (clause 4(1)). These technical minima differ from standard domestic building practice in some respects and can affect manufacturing and installation costs.
Display and accessibility duties. Owners must display certificates and plans in a “prominent position” and make the Act, these Regulations and any exemptions accessible on request (regulation 45(5)-(6)). The Regulations do not fix an exhaustive definition of “prominent position”, so disputes about sufficiency of display may arise.
Monetary unpredictability from fee and penalty unit adjustments. Fees and penalties are set in fee and penalty units whose dollar values change annually by the Monetary Units Act and the Treasurer’s determinations (Endnotes). Operators and owners should be aware that the actual dollar exposure depends on the year of contravention.

These “gotchas” point to areas where procedural timing, documentation, local council practices, imported technical standards and specific exclusions in Schedule 3 create implementation risk. Practitioners should map each item against a compliance calendar and maintain documentary proof for council submissions, installation certifications and emergency planning.

This section provides a practical, source‑grounded compliance checklist tailored to the main regulated actors: caravan park owners/operators, installers/manufacturers of movable dwellings and annexes, and relevant Councils. Each item cites the primary regulation(s) that impose the duty.

For caravan park owners and operators

Register before operating (regulation 9). Submit Form 1A or Form 1B as applicable (regulations 10-11, Schedule 1). Ensure the application includes: a plan of the park showing all buildings and site types (Form 1A/1B), the most recent fire authority report (regulations 10(2)(d), 10(3)(d), 11(2)(d), 11(3)(d)), any schedule of works and evidence of compliance, the emergency management plan (Form 5 where required), and the applicable registration fee determined by the Council but within Schedule 2 caps (regulation 16; Schedule 2).
Engage early with the relevant Council and emergency services agencies. Regulation 21 requires the Council to notify the owner of the relevant emergency services agencies on request; regulation 20 requires consultation with relevant emergency services agencies when preparing an emergency management plan. Early contact will clarify local expectations and allow negotiation of a schedule of works if required (regulations 7 and 20-21).
Prepare an emergency management plan that complies with regulation 20. The plan must include a documented risk assessment and specify preventative measures, emergency procedures for the owner and residents, and response and evacuation procedures. From 1 January 2025 plans must be prepared within 12 months of the application and attached to Form 5 (regulations 10(3)(f), 11(3)(f), 20).
Obtain a fire authority report in advance of application and budget for inspection/report fees. Include the most recent report with the application; the report’s currency is regulated (see regulation 11(4) for renewal intervals and schedule-of-works exceptions). Regulation 46 allows fire authorities to charge up to 10 fee units for the first hour and 2.5 fee units for each subsequent quarter hour for inspections and report preparation.
If necessary, negotiate a schedule of works with the Council (regulation 7). Use it to phase compliance with fire equipment, access and separation requirements and most Division 2 amenities items (regulation 31). Confirm in the schedule whether and how the schedule affects the requirements in regulations 18 and 19.
Ensure water safety and continuous supply (regulation 25). Test drinking water and, if non‑potable supply is used anywhere, display AS1319‑1994 non‑potable signage from 1 January 2025 (regulation 25(4)-(5)). Maintain a continuous supply of heated water to sanitary and laundry facilities (regulation 25(2)-(3)).
Implement sewage and wastewater arrangements compliant with regulation 26. Use reticulated sewer where available or obtain Council/EPA approval for on-site wastewater systems depending on discharge volume (≤5,000 L/day = Council approval; >5,000 L/day = EPA approval).
Provide sanitary and laundry facilities to the specified standards (regulations 27-28). Sanitary facilities must meet the deemed-to-satisfy provision in BCA Volume One clause F4D2 on a one-person-per-site basis for sites without private sanitary facilities (regulation 27). Laundry facilities are required at specified ratios for long-term sites lacking private facilities (regulation 28).
Maintain garbage management and lighting standards (regulations 29-30). Provide vermin-proof bins and maintain them, and ensure common areas, roadways, recreation areas and paths are lit to enable safe use.
Keep a resident and occupier register and display required documents (regulation 45(3)-(6)). Maintain the register required by regulation 45(4) and display the registration certificate, plan and caravan park rules at a prominent place (regulation 45(5)). Make the Act, these Regulations and any Section 519 exemptions accessible on request (regulation 45(6)).
Comply with display obligations for emergency procedures and public emergency warnings (regulations 22-23). Display these materials prominently in the park office and in any communal building or other places determined by the Council.

For sellers, constructors and installers of movable dwellings and annexes

Verify classification applicability. Determine whether the product is an "unregistrable movable dwelling" or another category and confirm which parts of the BCA and Schedule 3 apply. Note that Schedule 3 sets bespoke design and construction requirements and lists exclusions from the BCA that must be respected (Schedule 3 clause 1).
Design and construct to Schedule 3 technical minima (regulation 32 and Schedule 3). Ensure roof insulation R‑Value R3.3 and wall insulation R1.5, thermal breaks for metal framing where needed, sealed doors/windows to limit infiltration, and external windows that enable cross-ventilation (Schedule 3 clause 3). Design for minimum wind speed N3 (Schedule 3 clause 1(2)). Follow AS/NZS 1170 structural standards for footings and wind loading (Schedule 3 clause 4(1)).
Affix a compliance plate before installation (regulation 35-36). The compliance plate must be permanently attached to the front of the dwelling or rigid annexe and include the name and address of the constructor, the year of construction and a statement of compliance. Installation is prohibited unless the compliance plate is present (regulation 36).
Provide installation designs on sale and before or at installation (regulation 37). Sellers must supply a set of installation designs that are appropriate to wind speed, soil type and location.
Give notice to Council before installation and produce an installation certificate on completion (regulations 38-39). Notice must be at least 7 days prior unless the Council requires earlier notice (regulation 38). Installation certificates must include the installer’s name/address, year of installation, appropriate installation designs and a certification that the caravan park owner approved the installation and that installation, service connections and siting comply with the Regulations. Owners must give copies to the caravan park owner and Council within 7 days (regulation 39(2)-(3)).
Install smoke alarms as required (regulation 34). Ensure smoke alarms comply with clause 9.5.1(b) of the ABCB Housing Provisions and are located according to clause 9.5.2; newly installed dwellings must have alarms connected to consumer mains where consumer mains are supplied (regulation 34(1)-(2)). Owners must maintain alarms in working order (regulation 34(3)-(4)).
For rigid annexes, comply with Schedule 3 clause 5. Check dimensional limits, modular construction requirements, ventilation, glazing standards (AS 1288-2021) and ceiling heights. Flexible annexes attached to residential dwellings must not be used as bathrooms, toilets or laundries (Schedule 3 clause 5(16)).

For Councils and regulators

Prepare consistent application and renewal processing checklists aligned to Form 1A/1B (regulations 10-11, Schedule 1). Ensure staff check for the fire authority report, the emergency management plan (Form 5 where applicable), the plan of the caravan park and any schedule of works.
Maintain the register as prescribed (regulation 17). Record specified fields, including registration number, application dates, owners’ and managers’ details, dates of issuance and transfers.
Use schedule of works judiciously (regulation 7 and 31). Negotiate feasible works programmes with park owners, document timelines, and set review/monitoring milestones. Remember that some Division 2 obligations (regulation 25(4) non‑potable signage and regulation 29 garbage bins) cannot be deferred by a schedule of works (regulation 31).
Make timely determinations and document reasons for decisions. Regulation 12(3) lists matters councils must have regard to; ensure decisions address fire authority reports, compliance with the schedule of works, emergency management plan conformity, compliance with Part 3 and the applicant's record of compliance.
Coordinate with emergency services and floodplain authorities (regulations 20, 21, 24). Provide the caravan park owner with contacts for relevant emergency services on request, consult emergency services agencies when assessing plans, and consult floodplain management authorities in assessing flood‑notice compliance.
Set registration fees within Schedule 2 maxima and communicate fee calculations (regulation 16; Schedule 2). Ensure fee units are converted using the current fee‑unit value under the Monetary Units Act 2004.

Documentation and record-keeping best practice for all parties

Keep originals and copies of all fire authority reports, installation certificates, compliance plates data (photographs and serials), emergency management plans, council correspondence, council-issued certificates and any schedule of works agreements.
Maintain a compliance calendar keyed to registration effective dates and renewal windows (registration expires at the end of the calendar year two years after the calendar year in which registration takes effect; see regulation 13). Note the renewal timing requirement for applications on or after 1 January 2025: renewals must be made on or before 1 August of the year in which the current registration expires (regulation 11(3)(a)).
Document consultation with emergency services agencies in the emergency management plan cover sheet (Form 5) and retain evidence of dates and branches consulted (Form 5 provides a table for recording such consultation).

Financial planning and risk allocation

Budget for inspection fees to be charged by fire authorities under regulation 46 (10 fee units for first hour; 2.5 fee units per quarter hour thereafter). Also budget for potential council fees for registration and transfer per regulation 16 and Schedule 2 (e.g. 17 fee units maximum for parks not exceeding 25 sites - use the current fee‑unit value to compute the dollar amount).
Consider risk allocations in sale and lease contracts: ensure warranties and obligations for installation, compliance plates, smoke alarms and servicing are clearly allocated between seller, installer and park owner to avoid late-stage compliance failures.

Following these steps and mapping obligations to the specific regulatory text (the regulations cited above and Schedule 3 technical clauses) will provide an operational compliance pathway. Where a legal definition or threshold is unclear (for example the precise legal meaning of “unregistrable movable dwelling” in context), practitioners should obtain the relevant statutory cross-reference from the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 or seek a Council clarification prior to undertaking construction or installation.

Residential Tenancies (Caravan Parks and Movable Dwellings Registration and Standards) Regulations 2024

Plain English Summary

Deep Dive

What it does

Current sections

Residential Tenancies (Caravan Parks and Movable Dwellings Registration and Standards) Regulations 2024

Source text: opening excerpt

1 Residential Tenancies (Caravan Parks and Movable Dwellings Registration and Standards) Regulations 2024

Main concepts

Who it affects

Key duties and rights

Penalties and enforcement

How it interacts with other laws

Amendment history

Litigation history

Gotchas

How to comply