Domestic Building Insurance - our role at BPC
The Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC) is Victoria’s building and plumbing regulator. As part of our role, we manage Domestic Building Insurance (DBI)—a key protection for Victorian homeowners undertaking residential building projects.
DBI provides cover if a builder cannot complete work or fix defects due to insolvency, death or disappearance. This helps protect one of the biggest personal investments many Victorians will ever make.
Supporting Victorians through Domestic Building Insurance
DBI is required for most domestic building projects over $16,000 in value and provides protection for consumers if things go wrong after work has started.
Since 2010, the Victorian Government has required DBI to be delivered on a commercial basis. The BPC is now the designated insurer for DBI under the Building Act 1993, taking over this function from the Victorian Managed Insurance Authority (VMIA).
Today, BPC provides DBI cover to around 15,000 registered builders across Victoria, including for owner-builders.
All DBI policies issued by QBE on behalf of VMIA since 31 May 2010 are now managed by the BPC. This includes ongoing claims support and any questions about your cover.
How DBI is regulated
Until 2019, the Essential Services Commission (ESC) monitored the performance of Victoria’s DBI scheme. These reports remain available for public review:
- Annual reports on DBI program performance
- Biennial reports on the adequacy and validity of DBI premiums
Our commitment
As the regulator and insurer, we’re focused on giving homeowners confidence during their building journey. We work closely with industry, practitioners and stakeholders to ensure the DBI system protects consumers and supports a fair, accountable building industry.
We use data, insights and partnerships to improve how DBI is delivered—and to help reduce the risks that lead to claims in the first place.
Our goal is simple: to build trust and improve outcomes for everyone involved in building and renovating homes in Victoria