What Is a Certificate of Compliance and Why Every Melbourne Homeowner Should Care
If you have ever had plumbing work done in Victoria and not received a Certificate of Compliance, you should be concerned. It is the single document that proves your plumbing was done legally, by a licensed person, to the standards your insurer and the next buyer of your home will demand. Here is what it is and when you need one.
What a Certificate of Compliance actually is
A Certificate of Compliance (sometimes called a compliance certificate or COC) is a legal document issued through the Victorian Building Authority (vba.vic.gov.au) by a licensed plumber after certain types of work. It certifies that the work meets AS/NZS 3500 (standards.org.au) and the Plumbing Regulations 2018.
The plumber lodges the certificate electronically. You receive a copy, and the VBA holds a record indefinitely. For higher-risk work (gas, drainage, water supply over a certain value) the work also gets inspected.
When is a Certificate of Compliance required?
The short version: most plumbing work over $750 in value, plus all gas work, all backflow work, all roofing/stormwater, and all sanitary drainage. That includes hot water system replacement, new or replacement gas appliances, bathroom or kitchen renovations, sewer or stormwater drain replacement (including trenchless relining and CCTV inspections), and new rainwater tank plumbing.
For small isolated jobs - replacing a tap washer, swapping a single tap, clearing a blockage - a COC is not usually required.
Why every homeowner should care
There are four big reasons. The first is insurance. If a non-compliant installation later causes a flood, fire, or gas leak, your insurer can refuse the claim. A COC is your proof that the work was done properly.
The second is the sale of your home. Conveyancers and buyers’ solicitors now routinely ask for COCs for any recent plumbing work disclosed in the Section 32 / Vendor Statement. No paperwork, no sale - or a discount the size of the doubt.
The third is the warranty. Manufacturers will void a hot water or appliance warranty without proof of licensed installation.
The fourth is consumer protection. A licensed plumber issuing a COC takes responsibility for the work. If something goes wrong, Consumer Affairs Victoria (consumer.vic.gov.au) and Domestic Building Dispute Resolution Victoria (dbdrv.vic.gov.au) have a clear pathway to remediation.
How to check if your plumber will issue one
Before any work over $750, ask: will I get a VBA Certificate of Compliance? The honest answer is yes or no. If a quote is suspiciously cheap and the plumber is vague about paperwork, that is the signal.
Every job Newton Plumbing carries out in Burwood, Box Hill, Glen Waverley and surrounds includes the appropriate compliance documentation as standard. Licence #107733.
FAQ
Do I get a Certificate of Compliance for a leaking tap repair?
Not usually - small repair work under $750 does not require one.
Who keeps the Certificate of Compliance?
The plumber lodges it electronically with the VBA, the VBA keeps a permanent record, and you receive a copy by email or post.
What if my previous plumber never gave me one?
You can request a copy via the VBA’s online portal. If no certificate was ever lodged, the work was likely non-compliant.
Is a Certificate of Compliance the same as a Certificate of Final Inspection?
No. Final Inspection is a separate document for higher-risk work that requires VBA inspection. The COC is always issued; the inspection certificate is only for inspectable work.