3Definitions and interpretation

3 Definitions and interpretation (1) In this Act— S. 3(1) def. of *appointed day* repealed by No. 21/2017 s. 72(2). ***adjoining occupier*** means an occupier of an adjoining property; ***adjoining owner*** means the owner of an adjoining property; ***adjoining property*** means land (including any street, highway, lane, footway, square, alley and right of way) which is so situated in relation to the site on which building work is to be carried out as to be at risk of significant damage from the building work; S. 3(1) def. of *approved auditor* inserted by No. 85/2000 s. 3, repealed by No. 46/2008 s. 248(1). S. 3(1) def. of *approved* *building manual* inserted by No. 11/2023 s. 31(1). ***approved*** ***building manual*** means a building manual for a building, which has been approved by the relevant building surveyor under section 41B(1); S. 3(1) def. of *approved infrastructure contributions plan* inserted by No. 7/2018 s. 21. ***approved infrastructure contributions plan*** has the same meaning as in Part 3AB of the **Planning and Environment Act 1987**; S. 3(1) def. of *Architects Registration Board of Victoria* inserted by No. 11/2023 s. 3(2). ***Architects Registration Board of Victoria*** has the same meaning as in the **Architects Act 1991**; S. 3(1) def. of *assessor* inserted by No. 17/2025 s. 3(1). ***assessor*** has the same meaning as in the **Domestic Building Contracts Act 1995**; S. 3(1) def. of *associate* inserted by No. 21/2017 s. 3(1). ***associate***, in relation to a person, means a person who exercises a significant influence over the person or the operation or management of the person's business; S. 3(1) def. of *Authority* inserted by No. 34/2013 s. 3(a). ***Authority*** means the Victorian Building Authority established under section 193; S. 3(1) def. of *automatic deemed registration* inserted by No. 1/2023 s. 3(1). ***automatic deemed registration*** has the same meaning as in section 4(1) of the Mutual Recognition Act 1992 of the Commonwealth; S. 3(1) def. of *binding determination* inserted by No. 11/2023 s. 3(2). ***binding determination*** means a determination issued under section 206E by the State Building Surveyor; ***building*** includes structure, temporary building, temporary structure and any part of a building or structure; S. 3(1) def. of *Building account* inserted by No. 15/2016 s. 16(3). ***Building account*** means the Building account of the Victorian Building Authority Fund under Part 12; S. 3(1) def. of *Building Advisory Council* repealed by No. 3/2020 s. 26(1). ***Building Appeals Board*** means the Building Appeals Board under Part 10; S. 3(1) def. of *Building Code of Australia* inserted by No. 34/1997 s. 4, amended by No. 66/2004 s. 3(2), substituted by Nos 5/2011 s. 3(2), 43/2024 s. 24(1). ***Building Code of Australia*** means the Building Code of Australia comprising— (a) Volume One of the National Construction Code including any Victorian variations or additions set out in that Volume; and (b) Volume Two of the National Construction Code including any Victorian variations or additions set out in that Volume; S. 3(1) def. of *Building Monitor* inserted by No. 11/2023 s. 18(1). ***Building Monitor*** means the person appointed under section 208 as the Building Monitor; S. 3(1) def. of *building permit number* inserted by No. 21/2017 s. 57. ***building permit number*** means a building permit number issued by the Authority under section 25BA for a proposed building permit; S. 3(1) def. of *Building Practitioners Board* repealed by No. 15/2016 s. 16(1). S. 3(1) def. of *building practitioner* amended by Nos 91/1995 s. 136(a) (i)–(iii), 35/2004 s. 34(1) (as amended by No. 66/2004 s. 21), 26/2019 s. 112(a), 11/2023 s. 31(2)−(6). ***building practitioner*** means— (a) a building surveyor; or (b) a building inspector; or (c) a quantity surveyor; or (d) a building consultant; or (e) a building designer; or The category of building practitioner previously described as draftsperson who carries on a business of preparing plans for building work or preparing documentation relating to permits or permit applications has been renamed as building designer. See the relevant transitional and savings provisions in section 285. (f) a builder including a domestic builder; or (g) a person who erects or supervises the erection of prescribed temporary structures; or (ga) a site supervisor; or (h) a project manager— but does not include— (i) an architect; or (j) a person (other than a domestic builder) who does not carry on the business of building[[1]](#endnote-2); or (k) an endorsed building engineer; The category of building practitioner previously described in paragraph (h) as a person responsible for a building project or any stage of a building project and who belongs to a class or category of people prescribed to be building practitioners has been renamed as project manager. See the relevant transitional and savings provisions in section 285. ***Building Regulations Advisory Committee*** means the Building Regulations Advisory Committee under Part 12; ***building regulations*** means regulations made under Part 2; S. 3(1) def. of *building system* inserted by No. 11/2023 s. 3(2). ***building system*** includes the building and plumbing industries and the building system regulators; S. 3(1) def. of *building system regulators* inserted by No. 11/2023 s. 3(2), amended by No. 11/2023 s. 18(2). ***building system regulators*** includes all of the following— (b) relevant building surveyors; (c) municipal building surveyors; (d) plumbing inspectors appointed under section 221ZZY; (e) councils; (f) the Building Appeals Board; (g) the Architects Registration Board of Victoria; (h) the Building Regulations Advisory Committee; (i) the Plumbing Advisory Council; (ia) the Building Monitor; (j) the Business Licensing Authority; (k) the Director of Consumer Affairs Victoria; (l) Cladding Safety Victoria; (m) Energy Safe Victoria; ***building work*** means work for or in connection with the construction, demolition or removal of a building; S. 3(1) def. of *business day* inserted by No. 39/1996 s. 3. ***business day*** means a day that is not— (a) a Saturday or Sunday; or (b) a day that is wholly or partly observed as a public holiday throughout Victoria; S. 3(1) def. of *Business Licensing Authority* inserted by No. 11/2023 s. 3(2). ***Business Licensing Authority*** has the same meaning as in the **Business Licensing Authority Act 1998**; S. 3(1) def. of *certificate of* *accreditation* inserted by No. 3/2020 s. 19(1). ***certificate of*** ***accreditation*** means a certificate of accreditation within the meaning of section 14A(1); S. 3(1) def. of *certificate of consent* inserted by No. 66/2004 s. 3(1). ***certificate of consent*** means a certificate of consent under Division 3A of Part 3; S. 3(1) def. of *certificate of pool and spa barrier compliance* inserted by No. 46/2018 s. 25, repealed by No. 3/2020 s. 19(3)(a). S. 3(1) def. of *certificate of pool and spa barrier non-compliance* inserted by No. 46/2018 s. 25, repealed by No. 3/2020 s. 19(3)(a). S. 3(1) def. of *certificate of registration* inserted by No. 46/2018 s. 30. ***certificate of registration*** means the certificate of registration issued to a building practitioner under section 171G; S. 3(1) def. of *certificate of swimming pool barrier compliance* inserted by No. 3/2020 s. 19(3)(b). ***certificate of swimming pool barrier compliance*** means a certificate that certifies that the barrier of a swimming pool complies with this Act and the building regulations; S. 3(1) def. of *certificate of swimming pool barrier non‑ compliance* inserted by No. 3/2020 s. 19(3)(b). ***certificate of swimming pool barrier non‑compliance*** means a certificate that certifies that the barrier of a swimming pool does not comply with this Act and the building regulations; S. 3(1) def. of *Chief Commis-sioner* inserted by No. 34/2013 s. 3(a). ***Chief Commissioner*** means the person appointed to the VBA Board as Chief Commissioner; S. 3(1) def. of *chief dispute resolution officer* inserted by No. 11/2023 s. 3(2). ***chief dispute resolution officer*** has the same meaning as in the **Domestic Building Contracts Act 1995**; S. 3(1) def. of *chief executive officer* inserted by No. 34/2013 s. 3(a). ***chief executive officer*** means the chief executive officer of the Authority; S. 3(1) def. of *chief officer* inserted by No. 66/2004 s. 3(1), amended by No. 20/2019 s. 145. ***chief officer*** means— (a) in relation to the Fire Rescue Victoria fire district under the **Fire Rescue Victoria Act 1958**, the Fire Rescue Commissioner; and (b) in relation to any building or land outside the Fire Rescue Victoria fire district under the **Fire Rescue Victoria Act 1958**, the Chief Officer of the Country Fire Authority under the **Country Fire Authority Act 1958**; S. 3(1) def. of *cladding rectification work* inserted by No. 43/2019 s. 4(1). ***cladding rectification work*** means— (a) building work in connection with, or otherwise related to, a product or material that is, or could be, a non‑compliant or non-conforming external wall cladding product; or (b) work of a type specified in a notice under section 185I of the **Local Government Act 1989**; S. 3(1) def. of *Cladding Safety Victoria* inserted by No. 11/2023 s. 3(2). ***Cladding Safety Victoria*** has the same meaning as in the **Cladding Safety Victoria Act 2020**; S. 3(1) def. of *class of licence* inserted by No. 40/2021 s. 4(1). ***class of licence*** means a licence in a class of building employee; S. 3(1) def. of *class of registration* inserted by No. 40/2021 s. 4(1). ***class of registration*** means registration in a class of building practitioner; S. 3(1) def. of *code of conduct* inserted by No. 15/2016 s. 16(4), substituted by No. 43/2025 s. 66. ***code of conduct***— (a) in Part 11, does not include a code of conduct for licensed or registered plumbers approved by the Authority under Division 3A of Part 12A; and (b) in Part 12A, does not include a code of conduct for building practitioners approved by the Authority under Division 2 of Part 11; S. 3(1) def. of *collecting agency* inserted by No. 7/2018 s. 21. ***collecting agency*** has the same meaning as in Part 3AB of the **Planning and Environment Act 1987**; S. 3(1) def. of *Commission* amended by No. 68/2001 s. 3(1)(a), repealed by No. 34/2013 s. 17(a). S. 3(1) def. of *Commis-sioner* amended by No. 68/2001 s. 3(1)(b), substituted by No. 34/2013 s. 3(b). ***Commissioner*** means the Chief Commissioner, the Deputy Chief Commissioner or a Commissioner appointed to the VBA Board; S. 3(1) def. of *conciliation officer* inserted by No. 17/2025 s. 3(1). ***conciliation officer*** has the same meaning as in the **Domestic Building Contracts Act 1995**; ***conduct***, in relation to a public entertainment, means to have a direct pecuniary interest in the proceeds or profits of the entertainment; ***construct***, in relation to a building, includes— (a) build, re-build, erect or re-erect the building; and (b) repair the building; and (c) make alterations to the building; and (d) enlarge or extend the building; and (e) place or relocate the building on land; S. 3(1) def. of *cooling tower* inserted by No. 85/2000 s. 3, substituted by No. 46/2008 s. 248(2). ***cooling tower*** has the same meaning as it has in section 3(1) of the **Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008**; S. 3(1) def. of *cooling tower system* inserted by No. 85/2000 s. 3, substituted by No. 46/2008 s. 248(2). ***cooling tower system*** has the same meaning as it has in section 3(1) of the **Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008**; S. 3(1) def. of *cost-plus contract or agreement* inserted by No. 48/2025 s. 45. ***cost-plus contract or agreement*** means a contract or agreement with a builder for carrying out building work under which the amount of money (including for the cost of labour and materials) the builder is to receive cannot be determined at the time the contract or agreement is entered into, even if prime cost items and provisional sums are ignored; S. 3(1) def. of *council* amended by No. 9/2020 s. 390(Sch. 1 item 8.1). ***council*** means a council within the meaning of the **Local Government Act 2020**; S. 3(1) def. of *decision* substituted by No. 15/2016 s. 16(2)(a). ***decision***, in relation to a matter in relation to which an application for review or appeal can be made to the Building Appeals Board, the Authority or VCAT, includes failure to decide; S. 3(1) def. of *decision*-*maker* substituted by No. 15/2016 s. 16(2)(b). ***decision-maker***, in relation to a matter in relation to which an application for review or appeal can be made to the Building Appeals Board, the Authority or VCAT, means the person or body whose decision may be the subject of that review or appeal; S. 3(1) def. of *Department* inserted by No. 11/2023 s. 31(1). ***Department*** means the Department of Transport and Planning; S. 3(1) def. of *designated building surveyor* inserted by No. 21/2017 s. 3(1). ***designated building surveyor*** has the meaning set out in section 80A(2); S. 3(1) def. of *destructive testing* inserted by No. 46/2018 s. 30. ***destructive testing***, in relation to a building material or product used or to be used in the construction of a building, means testing of that material or product that will or is likely to cause the destruction of that material or product; S. 3(1) def. of *development agency* inserted by No. 7/2018 s. 21. ***development agency*** has the same meaning as in Part 3AB of the **Planning and Environment Act 1987**; S. 3(1) def. of *direction to fix building work* inserted by No. 21/2017 s. 18(1). ***direction to fix building work*** has the same meaning as it has in section 37; S. 3(1) def. of *Director of Consumer Affairs Victoria* inserted by No. 11/2023 s. 3(2). ***Director of Consumer Affairs Victoria*** means the person who, for the time being, is employed as Director of Consumer Affairs Victoria under the **Public Administration Act 2004**; S. 3(1) def. of *dispute resolution order* inserted by No. 15/2016 s. 59. ***dispute resolution order*** has the same meaning as it has in the **Domestic Building Contracts Act 1995**; S. 3(1) def. of *domestic builder* inserted by No. 91/1995 s. 136(b), amended by No. 52/1998 s. 311(Sch. 1 item 10.1). ***domestic builder*** means a builder within the meaning of the **Domestic Building Contracts Act 1995**; S. 3(1) def. of *domestic building affected party* inserted by No. 11/2023 s. 18(1). ***domestic building affected party*** means any of the following— (a) a person who engages, or proposes to engage, another person to carry out the following work on land owned by the person— (i) any work on a home constructed on that land in which the person resides; (ii) any work in relation to the construction of a home on that land in which the person intends to reside; (b) a person who enters into a contract to purchase land from a person who under the contract must engage a person to carry out work in relation to the construction of a home on that land in which the first mentioned person intends to reside; (c) an owner of a home; (d) an owner of a home who is affected by any building work being carried out on an adjoining property; S. 3(1) def. of *domestic building work* inserted by No. 91/1995 s. 136(b), amended by No. 52/1998 s. 311(Sch. 1 item 10.1). ***domestic building work*** has the same meaning as it has in the **Domestic Building Contracts Act 1995**; S. 3(1) def. of *domestic building work dispute* inserted by No. 15/2016 s. 59. ***domestic building work dispute*** has the same meaning as it has in the **Domestic Building Contracts Act 1995**; S. 3(1) def. of *domestic partner* inserted by No. 21/2017 s. 3(1). ***domestic partner*** of a person means— (a) a person who is in a registered domestic relationship with the person; or (b) a person to whom the person is not married but with whom the person is living as a couple on a genuine domestic basis (irrespective of gender); S. 3(1) def. of *endorsed building engineer* inserted by No. 26/2019 s. 112(b). ***endorsed building engineer*** has the same meaning as it has in the **Professional Engineers Registration Act 2019**; S. 3(1) def. of *Energy Safe inspector* inserted by No. 21/2017 s. 3(1), amended by No. 13/2025 s. 96(Sch. 3 item 1). ***Energy Safe inspector*** means an authorised officer appointed under section 86 of the **Gas Safety Act 1997**; S. 3(1) def. of *Energy Safe Victoria* inserted by No. 21/2017 s. 3(1). ***Energy Safe Victoria*** has the same meaning as it has in the **Energy Safe Victoria Act 2005**; S. 3(1) def. of *excluded person* inserted by No. 21/2017 s. 3(1). ***excluded person*** has the meaning set out in section 171F; S. 3(1) def. of *external wall cladding product* inserted by No. 46/2018 s. 30. ***external wall cladding product*** means any product or material that is, or could be, used on or in the external wall of a building (including an attachment or ancillary element), but excluding any product or material that the regulations state is not an external wall cladding product; ***function*** includes power, authority and duty; S. 3(1) def. of *high risk external wall cladding product* inserted by No. 46/2018 s. 30. ***high risk external wall cladding product*** means an external wall cladding product that is the subject of a declaration prohibiting its use under section 192B; S. 3(1) def. of *home* inserted by No. 11/2023 s. 18(1). ***home*** has the same meaning that it has in the **Domestic Building Contracts Act 1995**; S. 3(1) def. of *home State* inserted by No. 1/2023 s. 3(1). ***home State*** has the same meaning as in section 4(1) of the Mutual Recognition Act 1992 of the Commonwealth; S. 3(1) def. of *home State registration* inserted by No. 1/2023 s. 3(1). ***home State registration*** has the same meaning as in section 4(1) of the Mutual Recognition Act 1992 of the Commonwealth; S. 3(1) def. of *influential person* inserted by No. 3/2020 s. 19(1). ***influential person*** has the meaning set out in section 171E(2); S. 3(1) def. of *infrastructure contribution* inserted by No. 7/2018 s. 21. ***infrastructure contribution*** has the same meaning as in Part 3AB of the **Planning and Environment Act 1987**; S. 3(1) def. of *insured architect* inserted by No. 35/2004 s. 34(2), ***insured architect*** means an architect who is registered under the **Architects Act 1991** and who is covered by the required insurance under that Act; S. 3(1) def. of *insurer* inserted by No. 91/1995 s. 136(c), substituted by No. 52/2005 s. 29, amended by Nos 21/2017 s. 72(1)(b), 17/2025 s. 3(2). ***insurer*** includes the Authority; S. 3(1) def. of *land affected by an owners corporation* inserted by No. 11/2023 s. 31(1). ***land affected by an owners corporation*** has the same meaning as in section 3 of the **Owners Corporations Act 2006**; S. 3(1) def. of *Legionella* inserted by No. 85/2000 s. 3, repealed by No. 46/2008 s. 248(1). S. 3(1) def. of *licensed building employee* inserted by No. 46/2018 s. 4(4), amended by No. 1/2023 s. 3(2). ***licensed building employee*** means a person who holds a licence, including a provisional licence, under Part 11A; Section 42H(1) of the Mutual Recognition Act 1992 of the Commonwealth provides that a reference in the law of the second State to a person registered (however described) for the second State occupation includes a reference to a person who has automatic deemed registration to carry on an activity covered by that occupation. Section 42H(2)(a) of that Act provides that a person who has automatic deemed registration in a State is taken to have had the registration conferred by the operation of the law of the State. S. 3(1) def. of *local registration authority* inserted by No. 1/2023 s. 3(1). ***local registration authority*** has the same meaning as in section 4(1) of the Mutual Recognition Act 1992 of the Commonwealth; S. 3(1) def. of *lot* inserted by No. 85/2000 s. 3, repealed by No. 46/2008 s. 248(1). S. 3(1) def. of *lot affected by an owners corporation* inserted by No. 21/2017 s. 18(1). ***lot affected by an owners corporation*** has the same meaning as it has in the **Owners Corporations Act 2006**; S. 3(1) def. of *major domestic building contract* inserted by No. 91/1995 s. 136(c), amended by No. 52/1998 s. 311(Sch. 1 item 10.1). ***major domestic building contract*** has the same meaning as it has in the **Domestic Building Contracts Act 1995**; ***mandatory notification stage*** means a prescribed stage of building work; ***municipal building surveyor*** means a person for the time being appointed, employed or nominated by a council as its municipal building surveyor for the purposes of this Act; S. 3(1) def. of *National Construction Code* inserted by No. 43/2024 s. 24(3). ***National Construction Code*** means the National Construction Code published by the Australian Building Codes Board as amended, published or adopted from time to time; S. 3(1) def. of *National Construction Code Series* inserted by No. 5/2011 s. 3(1), repealed by No. 43/2024 s. 24(2). S. 3(1) def. of *nominee director* inserted by No. 21/2017 s. 3(1). ***nominee director***, in relation to a body corporate, means a director of the body corporate nominated by the body corporate as a nominee director under Division 1A of Part 11; S. 3(1) def. of *non-compliant or non-conforming external wall cladding product* inserted by No. 43/2019 s. 4(1). ***non-compliant or non-conforming external wall cladding product*** means— (a) an external wall cladding product that does not comply with the requirements of this Act and the regulations; or (b) an external wall cladding product that is installed or used in, or applied to, a building in a manner that does not comply with the requirements of this Act and the regulations; or (c) a high risk external wall cladding product that is used in contravention of a declaration under section 192B applying to that product; S. 3(1) def. of *officer* inserted by No. 15/2016 s. 16(4). ***officer***, in relation to a body corporate, has the same meaning as officer of a corporation has in section 9 of the Corporations Act; S. 3(1) def. of *owner* amended by No. 85/1998 s. 24(Sch. item 6.1(a)(b)). ***owner***— (a) in relation to land which has been alienated in fee by the Crown and is under the operation of the **Transfer of Land Act 1958**, (other than land in an identified folio under that Act) means the person who is registered or entitled to be registered as proprietor, or the persons who are registered or entitled to be registered as proprietors, of an estate in fee simple in the land; and (b) in relation to land which has been alienated in fee by the Crown and is land in an identified folio under the **Transfer of Land Act 1958** or land not under the operation of the **Transfer of Land Act 1958**, means the person who is the owner, or the persons who are the owners, of the fee or equity of redemption; and (c) in relation to Crown land reserved under the **Crown Land** (**Reserves**) **Act 1978** and managed or controlled by a committee of management, means the Minister administering that Act; and (d) in relation to any other Crown land, means the Minister or public authority that manages or controls the land; ***owner*** in relation to a building, means the owner of the land on which a building is situated[[2]](#endnote-3); S. 3(1) def. of *owners corporation* inserted by No. 21/2017 s. 18(1). ***owners corporation*** has the same meaning as it has in the **Owners Corporations Act 2006**; ***permit*** means building permit or occupancy permit; S. 3(1) def. of *personal information* inserted by No. 11/2023 s. 31(1). ***personal information*** has the same meaning as in the **Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014**; ***place of public entertainment*** means— (a) a prescribed building or building in a prescribed class of buildings which is used or intended to be used for the purpose of providing public entertainment; or (b) a prescribed place or place in a prescribed class of places— (i) which is enclosed or substantially enclosed; or (ii) to which admission can be gained by payment of money or the giving of other consideration— and which is used or intended to be used for the purpose of providing public entertainment; S. 3(1) def. of *Plumbing Advisory Council* inserted by No. 34/2013 s. 3(a). ***Plumbing Advisory Council*** means the Plumbing Advisory Council under Part 12; S. 3(1) def. of *plumbing laws* inserted by No. 11/2023 s. 3(2). ***plumbing laws*** has the same meaning as in section 221B; S. 3(1) def. of *police officer* inserted by No. 37/2014 s. 10(Sch. item 9.1). ***police officer*** has the same meaning as in the **Victoria Police Act 2013**; ***prescribed temporary structure*** includes a temporary structure in a prescribed class of temporary structures; S. 3(1) def. of *prescribed testing authority* inserted by No. 46/2018 s. 30. ***prescribed testing authority*** means— (a) an organisation accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities ACN 004 379 748 to conduct the destructive testing of building materials or products; and (b) any other person or body prescribed in the regulations to conduct destructive testing of building materials or products; S. 3(1) def. of *prime cost item* inserted by No. 48/2025 s. 45. ***prime cost item***, in relation to a cost-plus contract or agreement, means an item that is to be supplied under the contract or agreement where— (a) the price of the item is not known at the time the contract or agreement is entered into; and (b) the builder must make a reasonable allowance in the contract or agreement for the item; S. 3(1) def. of *private building surveyor* amended by No. 71/1995 s. 7(2). ***private building surveyor*** means a building surveyor registered under Part 11 other than— (a) a municipal building surveyor; or (b) an officer or employee of the Crown or a public authority; or (c) a building surveyor authorised under section 191, 192 or 221— in his or her capacity as such a municipal building surveyor, officer, employee or authorised building surveyor; ***proceeding***, in relation to a proceeding of the Building Appeals Board, means— (a) an appeal to that Board under Divisions 1 and 2 of Part 10; or (b) a matter referred to that Board under Division 3 of that Part; or (c) an application to that Board under Division 4 of that Part; or (d) any other matter within that Board's jurisdiction that, by the Act or regulation conferring the jurisdiction, is declared to be a proceeding; S. 3(1) def. of *professional engineering service* inserted by No. 26/2019 s. 112(b). ***professional engineering service*** has the same meaning as it has in the **Professional Engineers Registration Act 2019**; ***protection work*** means— (a) permanent or temporary work of— (i) underpinning, including the provision of vertical support, lateral support, protection against variation in earth pressures, provision of ground anchors and other support for adjoining property; or (ii) shoring up of adjoining property; or (iii) overhead protection for adjoining property; or (iv) other work designed to maintain the stability of adjoining property or to protect adjoining property from damage from building work; or (b) any work or use of equipment necessary for the provision, maintenance and removal of work referred to in paragraph (a)— whether or not the work or equipment is carried out or used on, over, under or in the air space above the land on which the building work is or is to be carried out or the adjoining property; S. 3(1) def. of *provisional licence* inserted by No. 46/2018 s. 4(4). ***provisional licence*** means a licence granted under section 187G; S. 3(1) def. of *provisional registration* inserted by No. 46/2018 s. 4(4), substituted by No. 40/2021 s. 4(2)(a). ***provisional registration***, except in Part 12A, means registration granted under section 171(1)(ac); S. 3(1) def. of *provisional sum* inserted by No. 48/2025 s. 45. ***provisional sum***, in relation to a cost-plus contract or agreement, is an estimate of the cost (including for the cost of labour and materials) of carrying out particular building work for which the builder, after making all reasonable enquiries, cannot give a definite amount at the time the agreement or contract is entered into; S. 3(1) def. of *provisionally registered builder subcontractor* inserted by No. 40/2021 s. 4(1). ***provisionally registered builder subcontractor*** means a person who is provisionally registered in the category of builder in a class of builder under section 171(1)(ac) and the registration authorises the person to carry out a type of building work prescribed for the purposes of section 169EA; A registration under section 171(1)(ac) is subject to a condition that the registered person must not carry out building work other than as a subcontractor (unless the cost of the work is less than the amount prescribed for the purposes of section 24B(2) or the building work is not domestic building work and does not require a building permit) or as an employee—see section 171H. ***public authority*** means a body established for a public purpose by or under an Act and includes a council; ***public entertainment*** means an entertainment or meeting to which admission may ordinarily be gained by members of the public; S. 3(1) def. of *regional Victoria* inserted by No. 43/2019 s. 4(2), amended by No. 22/2021 s. 18. ***regional Victoria*** has the same meaning as in section 18(8) of the **First Home Owner Grant and Home Buyer Schemes Act 2000**; S. 3(1) def. of *registered body corporate* inserted by No. 21/2017 s. 3(1). ***registered body corporate*** means a body corporate registered as a building practitioner under this Act; S. 3(1) def. of *registered builder subcontractor* inserted by No. 40/2021 s. 4(1). ***registered builder subcontractor*** means a person who is registered in the category of builder in a class of builder under section 171(1)(ab) and the registration authorises the person to carry out a type of building work prescribed for the purposes of section 169EA; A registration under section 171(1)(ab) is subject to a condition that the registered person must not carry out building work other than as a subcontractor (unless the cost of the work is less than the amount prescribed for the purposes of section 24B(2) or the building work is not domestic building work and does not require a building permit) or as an employee—see section 171H. S. 3(1) def. of *registered building practitioner* amended by No. 46/2018 s. 4(3), substituted by No. 40/2021 s. 4(2)(b), amended by No. 1/2023 s. 3(3). ***registered building practitioner*** means a building practitioner registered under Part 11 including the following persons unless the contrary intention appears— (a) a provisionally registered builder subcontractor; (b) a registered builder subcontractor; Section 42H(1) of the Mutual Recognition Act 1992 of the Commonwealth provides that a reference in the law of the second State to a person registered (however described) for the second State occupation includes a reference to a person who has automatic deemed registration to carry on an activity covered by that occupation. Section 42H(2)(a) of that Act provides that a person who has automatic deemed registration in a State is taken to have had the registration conferred by the operation of the law of the State. S. 3(1) def. of *registration card* inserted by No. 46/2018 s. 30. ***registration card*** means the registration card issued to a building practitioner under section 171GA; S. 3(1) def. of *related body corporate* inserted by No. 15/2016 s. 16(4), substituted by No. 21/2017 s. 3(2). ***related body corporate***, in relation to a body corporate, means a body corporate that would under section 4A(5) of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 of the Commonwealth be taken to be related to that body corporate; S. 3(1) def. of *relevant building surveyor* amended by No. 34/2013 s. 17(b). ***relevant building surveyor***— (a) in relation to an application to, or permit, approval, inspection, direction, notice or order issued or given by, a municipal building surveyor, means the municipal building surveyor; and (b) in relation to an application to, or permit, approval, inspection, direction, notice or order issued or given by, a private building surveyor, means the private building surveyor; and (c) in relation to the carrying out by the Authority of the functions of a municipal building surveyor or a function specified in section 205P, means the Authority; and (d) in relation to the carrying out by a building surveyor authorised under section 191, 192 or 221 of the functions of a municipal building surveyor, means the authorised building surveyor; ***relevant council***, in relation to a building or land, means the council of the municipal district in which the building or land is situated; S. 3(1) def. of *relocatable spa* inserted by No. 3/2020 s. 19(2). ***relocatable spa*** means a spa that is capable of being relocated; S. 3(1) def. of *relocatable swimming pool* inserted by No. 3/2020 s. 19(2). ***relocatable swimming pool*** means a swimming pool that is capable of being relocated; S. 3(1) def. of *reporting authority* amended by No. 28/2000 s. 12. ***reporting authority*** means a body or person (other than a municipal building surveyor or private building surveyor to whom an application is made) that is required by this Act or the regulations or by any other Act or regulations to report on or consent to an application for a permit; S. 3(1) def. of *required insurance* inserted by No. 91/1995 s. 136(d), substituted by No. 102/2003 s. 41. ***required insurance*** means the insurance required by order under section 135 and, in the case of insurance to which section 137AA applies, complying with section 137AA; S. 3(1) def. of *risk management plan* inserted by No. 85/2000 s. 3, repealed by No. 46/2008 s. 248(1). S. 3(1) def. of *risk management plan audit* inserted by No. 85/2000 s. 3, repealed by No. 46/2008 s. 248(1). S. 3(1) def. of *second State* inserted by No. 1/2023 s. 3(1). ***second State*** has the same meaning as in section 4(1) of the Mutual Recognition Act 1992 of the Commonwealth; S. 3(1) def. of *second State occupation* inserted by No. 1/2023 s. 3(1). ***second State occupation*** has the same meaning as in section 4(1) of the Mutual Recognition Act 1992 of the Commonwealth; S. 3(1) def. of *Secretary to the Department of Health* inserted by No. 29/2010 s. 48(1). ***Secretary to the Department of Health*** means the Department Head (within the meaning of the **Public Administration Act 2004**) of the Department of Health; S. 3(1) def. of *show cause notice* inserted by No. 15/2016 s. 16(4). ***show cause notice*** means a show cause notice under section 182; S. 3(1) def. of *spouse* inserted by No. 21/2017 s. 3(1). ***spouse*** of a person means a person to whom the person is married; S. 3(1) def. of *staged permit* inserted by No. 43/2019 s. 4(2). ***staged permit*** means a building permit referred to in section 20(b); S. 3(1) def. of *State Building Surveyor* inserted by No. 11/2023 s. 3(2). ***State Building Surveyor*** means the person appointed under section 206(1) as the State Building Surveyor; S. 3(1) def. of *subcontractor* inserted by No. 46/2018 s. 4(1). ***subcontractor*** means a person who enters into a contract with a builder to carry out all or part of the building work that is to be carried out by the builder under another contract; S. 3(1) def. of *subsidiary* inserted by No. 21/2017 s. 3(1). ***subsidiary***, in relation to a body corporate, has the meaning set out in section 4A of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 of the Commonwealth; S. 3(1) def. of *swimming pool* inserted by No. 3/2020 s. 19(2). ***swimming pool*** means any excavation or structure (including a spa or a relocatable structure)— (a) that is capable of containing water to a depth of greater than 300 mm; and (b) that is principally used, or that is designed, manufactured or adapted to be principally used, for swimming, wading, paddling, bathing or similar activities; S. 3(1) def. of *swimming pool and spa inspector* inserted by No. 46/2018 s. 25, substituted as *swimming pool inspector* by No. 3/2020 s. 19(3)(c). ***swimming pool inspector*** means any of the following persons who have been engaged by an owner of land to inspect a swimming pool barrier located on that land for compliance with this Act and the building regulations— (a) a registered building surveyor; (b) a registered building inspector; (c) any other registered building practitioner whose registration authorises the carrying out of inspections of swimming pools including the barriers associated with those swimming pools; S. 3(1) def. of *swimming pool and spa register* inserted by No. 46/2018 s. 25, substituted as *swimming pool register* by No. 3/2020 s. 19(3)(d). ***swimming pool register*** means a register of swimming pools established by a council under section 216D; ***temporary structure*** includes— (a) a booth, tent, marquee or other temporary enclosure, whether or not a part of the booth, tent, marquee or enclosure is permanent; or (b) a seating structure whether enclosed or not, including a mobile seating structure; S. 3(1) def. of *training contract* inserted by No. 46/2018 s. 4(4). ***training contract*** has the same meaning as in section 1.1.3(1) of the **Education and Training Reform Act 2006**; S. 3(1) def. of *training plan* inserted by No. 40/2021 s. 4(1). ***training plan***—see sections 171H(1B) and 187H(1B); S. 3(1) def. of *VBA Board* inserted by No. 34/2013 s. 3(a), amended by No. 21/2017 s. 72(1)(c). ***VBA Board*** means the Victorian Building Authority Board established under section 200; S. 3(1) def. of *VBA inspector* inserted by No. 21/2017 s. 18(2). ***VBA inspector*** means a person appointed under section 204A; S. 3(1) def. of *Victorian Managed Insurance Authority* inserted by No. 21/2017 s. 72(1)(a), amended by No. 46/2018 s. 4(2). ***Victorian Managed Insurance Authority*** has the same meaning as it has in the **Victorian Managed Insurance Authority Act 1996**; S. 3(1) def. of *Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority* inserted by No. 46/2018 s. 4(4), amended by No. 17/2025 s. 3(3). ***Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority*** means the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority established under section 4.2.1 of the **Education and Training Reform Act 2006**; S. 3(1) def. of *VMIA* inserted by No. 17/2025 s. 3(1). ***VMIA*** means the Victorian Managed Insurance Authority established by section 5 of the **Victorian Managed Insurance Authority Act 1996**. (2) In Part 7 a reference to the owner is a reference to the owner of land on which building work is proposed to be or is carried out. S. 3(3) inserted by No. 21/2017 s. 3(3). (3) For the purposes of the definition of ***domestic partner*** in subsection (1)— (a) ***registered domestic relationship*** has the same meaning as it has in the **Relationships Act 2008**; and (b) in determining whether persons who are not in a registered domestic relationship are domestic partners of each other, all the circumstances of their relationship are to be taken into account, including any one or more of the matters referred to in section 35(2) of the **Relationships Act 2008** as may be relevant in a particular case. S. 3(4) inserted by No. 11/2023 s. 3(3). (4) Any reference in this Act to building work or plumbing work having to be carried out or completed in accordance with, or having to comply with, or not being in breach of, the following laws relating to building work and plumbing work is taken to include a reference to that building work or plumbing work having to be carried out or completed in accordance with, or to comply with, or to not be in breach of, a provision of those laws as interpreted by any binding determination that applies to that provision— (a) "this Act"; (b) "the building regulations"; (c) "the plumbing laws"; (d) "the regulations made under Part 12A of this Act". S. 3A inserted by No. 48/2025 s. 46.