Queensland’s New and Updated Building Form Regulations

Building form regulation changes

These numerous changes to Queensland Building Form Regulations may have slipped under the radar for many in the building and construction industry. While they may be subtle, each of these updates to form requirements changes how we maintain compliance across new and existing buildings and building projects throughout Queensland.

We’ve made a list breaking down each change. This list should help you understand what has changed, your obligations under these new conditions and the form they apply to (plus details on what the form pertains to). We’ve also marked several new forms introduced in this update. These are particularly important to stay up to speed on.

Form 9: Application to vary the Building Act 1975

• Changes for consistency with the BR 2021.

   

Form 12: Aspect Inspection Certificate (Appointed Competent Person)

• An appointed competent person (inspector) must complete this approved form (Form 12) and give it to the building certifier after they:
  • (1) inspect the aspect of work, and
  • (2) are satisfied the aspect of work has been completed and complies with the building development approval (BDA).
• The BR 2006 requires the Form 16 inspection certificate to be issued to state the compliance of a building stage or aspect of work.
• An appendix provides information to assist in the completion of the document.

   

Form 13: Application for Certificate of Classification for a building or
structure built before 30 April 1998 / Change of Classification

• Changes for consistency with the Building Act 1975 and the BR 2021.

   

Form 15: Compliance certificate for a building design or specification

• Changes for consistency with the BR 2021.
• The appointed competent person (design – specifications) completes this form, which is used to inform the building certifier’s decision when they are assessing a building development application and issuing the BDA for the building work the subject of the certificate (Form 15).
• A new appendix provides information about the form for the appointed competent person, the building certifier, building product manufacturers and suppliers, and industry.

   

Form 16: Inspection Certificate / Aspect Certificate/ QBCC Licensee Aspect Certificate

• Changes for consistency with the BR 2021.
• Revised to clarify that the form is used as the inspection certificate for stages of building work.
• Aspect certificates for work subject to a BDA are now either a Form 12 for a competent person or Form 43 for a QBCC licensee.
• A new appendix provides information to assist in the completion of the document.

   

Form 17: Final inspection certificate –  swimming pools and swimming pool fencing

• Changes for consistency with the BR 2021.

   

Form 18: Notice to the owner (where owner is not the client) that a private building certifier has been engaged 

• Minor amendment to the appendix for consistency with other administrative forms made in 2020 when owners request additional compliance inspections.

   

Form 21: Final inspection certificate

• Changes for consistency with the BR 2021.
• A new appendix provides information to assist in the completion of the document.

   

Form 24: Temporary accommodation buildings checklist

• Changes for consistency with the BR 2021.

   

Form 32: Relevant information for service providers

• Changes include minor edits for consistency with the numbering of the BR 2021 and to clarify the information (i.e. plans/part plans) the building certifier should provide in the form.

   

Form 33: On-site water storage tanks under Queensland Development Code MP 3.7 – Farm buildings

• Changes for consistency with the BR 2021.

   

Form 61: Non-compliance notice

• Under the BR 2021, the appointed competent person no longer issues this form, regardless of whether they are the inspecting person.
• The BR 2021 clarifies that the building certifier is the accountable person for the certification of a building and are the enforcement authority until they issue the final certificate or Certificate of Occupancy for the building.
• Suppose a building certifier is not satisfied that the stage of work complies with the building development approval. In that case, they must give the builder this non-compliance notice (Form 61).
• Further, suppose the building certifier receives a notice that a stage of work does not comply with the BDA (new approved Form 62) from the inspecting person. And the building certifier is not satisfied with the stage rectification or believes it does not comply with the BDA. In that case, they must issue a non-compliance notice (Form 61) to the builder.
• A new appendix provides information to assist in the completion of the document.

   

Form 62: Notice that the stage of work does not comply (Appointed competent person)

• Suppose the appointed inspector of the stage of work is not satisfied with the stage completion or believes the work does not comply with the BDA. In that case, they must complete this form and give it to the builder for the work and the building certifier.
• The competent person cannot issue a Non-compliance notice (Form 61). Issuing a Form 61 is a function of the building certifier. This clarifies the policy intent of the BR 2006
• An appendix provides information to assist in the completion of the document.

 

New forms

Form 30: QBCC licensee aspect certificate for accepted development (self-assessable)  

• The QBCC licensee completes this form for an aspect of work for a single detached class 1a building or class 10 building and structures if the work is prescribed under Schedule 1 of the BR 2021 and not under a BDA.
• An appendix provides information about the form to industry, including QBCC licensees, builders, and homeowners.

   

Form 43: Aspect Certificate (QBCC Licensee)

• A QBCC licensee completes this form if they have carried out the aspect work (or authorised under the QBCC Regulation) subject to a BDA for a single detached class 1a building or a class 10 building or structure.
• The QBCC licensee must complete the form informing the building certifier how the aspect work complies with the BDA.
• Currently, the Form 16 – Inspection certificate is issued to advise about the compliance of a stage of building or aspect work.
• An appendix provides information for the industry, including QBCC licensees and building certifiers.

 

Breakdown of non-mandatory forms

As if this list wasn’t thorough enough, 3 non-mandatory administrative/recommended forms have also been renumbered and updated to include the new section numbers from the BR 2021.

Form 31: Additional certification notice

• Previously published as a Form 33 in 2020, this form now has a new form number.
• Minor editorial changes in the appendix align the content with the BR 2021 and other approved forms.

   

Form 35: Owner request for a copy of the inspection documentation

• Minor changes to reflect the new forms and any changes to numbering, i.e. renumbered forms – now Forms 31 and 42.

   

Form 42: The client (where the owner is not the client) gives the owner’s details to the private certifier

• Previously published as a Form 39 in 2020, this form now has a new form number.
• Minor editorial changes in the Appendix align the content with the BR 2021 and other approved forms.

 

This wall of changes may be a lot to take in and can create uncertainty in managing building projects and compliance requirements.

To save the headache and help you understand your statutory responsibilities, get in touch with a member of our Queensland Building Surveying Team. We can guide you through your Form requirements and ensure everything complies with the regulations. No more headaches or red tape.