The purpose of this guideline is to provide guidance to inspecting persons (e.g. building certifiers and competent persons) and builders about how to meet their inspection responsibilities under the Building Act 1975 (BA) and the Building Regulation 2021 (BR). This guideline sets out the legislative provisions applicable to inspections of assessable building work for class 1 buildings and class 10 buildings and structures.

This guideline does not cover inspections undertaken outside the scope of the BA or BR such as those covered in the Electrical Safety Act 2002 or the Workplace Health and Safety Act 2011.

For single detached class 1a buildings and class 10 buildings and structures the BR prescribes what stages of assessable building work must be inspected once notified by the builder as complete. The Appendix at the end of this guideline identifies various aspects of building work (not an exhaustive list) that make up a particular stage for which an inspection is mandatory.

This guideline improves building standards by helping practitioners undertake inspections in accordance with industry best practice, ensuring safe community outcomes through higher levels of statutory compliance of buildings and encouraging accountability among building industry practitioners.

Carrying out inspections in accordance with best industry practice means following all the procedures and protocols in this guideline including, but not limited to:

• what and when to inspect
• who can inspect work
• assessing the competency of other practitioners (competent persons)
• certifying compliant work, including how and when to give certificates
• addressing non-compliant work, including how and when to give notices
• accepting certificates and notices from others
• retaining documents and records