The Victorian Building Authority (VBA) has taken enforcement action against 39 building practitioners linked to 790 properties found with non-compliant combustible cladding.

The practitioners were identified through the Statewide Cladding Audit which has inspected more than 3200 properties since it started in 2018.

The VBA says its enforcement action has focused on “those practitioners responsible for the more serious contraventions of their obligations and those associated with multiple higher risk sites”.

CEO Sue Eddy says holding practitioners to account sends a clear message that unsafe, non-compliant work will not be tolerated.

“We’ve taken decisive action against those practitioners who have put the lives of Victorians at risk through the use of non-compliant, combustible cladding,” she said.

“The use of non-compliant combustible cladding has led to immense stress and heartache for homeowners and caused untold damage to the reputation of the building industry.”

The VBA says practitioners targeted were those who “continued to do the wrong thing after the risks associated with combustible cladding were widely recognised”.

“Those practitioners who have done the wrong thing are in the very small minority, but their actions have unfortunately raised a question mark over the practices of the wider industry – which isn’t fair,” Ms Eddy said.

Penalties handed out include fines of up to $45,000, and licences and registrations have been cancelled, resulting in practitioners being unable to work for up to three years.