The Tasmanian Government has continued to update consumer protections for property owners with changes to the building regulatory framework. 

The Residential Building (Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Amendments) Bill 2022 has now passed in Parliament. 

It comes after a Bill to reintroduce the Home Warranty Insurance was tabled in the Tasmanian Parliament last week. 

Attorney-General Elise Archer says the Government is delivering on its commitment to further strengthen protections for consumers and property owners within Tasmania’s building regulatory framework 

Under the changes, jurisdiction for resolving residential building disputes will be transferred to the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. 

Defective Work Orders will offer a new mechanism for defect rectification after the completion of building work. 

Two new mandatory inspection stages, in line with Building Confidence Report recommendations, will be introduced to reduce the rate of defective work. 

Responsibilities of local councils will be consolidated under the Building Act 2016 to increase their accountability in conducting important functions. 

“Building and construction is a key driver of our economy, employing over 20,000 Tasmanians, and these changes get the balance right by ensuring strong protections for consumers without impeding important building activity,” Ms Archer said. 

“Work will now get underway to prepare for implementation of these reforms as soon as possible while we also continue to progress other important reforms such as the reintroduction of home warranty insurance, tabled in Parliament this week, to provide additional protections for Tasmanians.”