Quick answer
- Who needs it: owner-builders selling within 6 years and 6 months of completing work valued at over $20,000.
- When: before you sign the contract of sale.
- Where to buy: the Building and Plumbing Commission’s BuildVic portal, or ask one of the four BPC-approved distributors listed below.
- What the insurer asks for: a defects inspection report no more than 6 months old. Get the report first.
1. The insurer will ask for your inspection report
Consumer Affairs Victoria lists the defects report among the documents you need to apply for owner-builder insurance. The same report must be given to the buyer, and it must be no more than 6 months old when the contract is signed.
The report also shapes the cover: defective or non-compliant work listed in the defects inspection report is excluded from the policy. A properly scoped report from a registered building practitioner is therefore the first step, not an afterthought.
Owner Builder Inspection Melbourne carries out Section 137B owner-builder defects inspections across Melbourne. Enter the renovation scope online to see the price and book.
2. The order that avoids delays
- Check that the requirements apply. Use the free Do I need a 137B report? check and confirm with your conveyancer.
- Book the defects inspection. Get an instant quote and arrange the inspection.
- Apply for the insurance through BuildVic or a distributor, with the defects report and the other documents they ask for.
- Give both to your conveyancer. The Notice of Cover and the defects inspection report go into the Section 32 vendor statement before the contract is signed.
3. Where to buy owner-builder insurance
Building and Plumbing Commission — BuildVic portal
The Commission’s page Selling an owner-built home links to the BuildVic portal to purchase the insurance. This is the official individual entry point.
Open BuildVic (official portal) ↗
BPC-approved domestic building insurance distributors
The Commission publishes these four approved distributors. They mainly serve registered builders, so ask whether they handle owner-builder applications before you rely on them.
| Distributor | Phone | Website | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bovill Risk & Insurance Consultants Pty Ltd | 1800 077 933 | bric-warranty@bric.com.au | bric.com.au ↗ |
| CCM Insurance Group Pty Ltd | 03 9853 4688 | dbi@ccminsurance.com.au | ccminsurancegroup.com.au ↗ |
| HIA Insurance Services Pty Ltd | 1800 633 467 | hiaisdbi@aon.com | hiainsurance.com.au ↗ |
| Master Builders Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd | 1800 150 888 | dbi@mbib.com.au | mbib.com.au ↗ |
Source: Building and Plumbing Commission — DBI approved distributors (page updated 30 June 2026). Listed for information only; we have no commercial relationship with these companies and do not recommend any of them.
4. When the insurance is needed
The Building and Plumbing Commission says an owner-builder must purchase the insurance when both apply:
- the building project was completed less than 6 years and 6 months ago, and
- the value of the project was over $20,000.
It must be bought before you enter into a contract to sell. If the property does not sell, the Commission says you may be able to cancel the policy and obtain a refund of the premium.
Rules changed on 1 July 2026, when Home Warranty replaced the earlier domestic building insurance for new contracts and the threshold moved from $16,000 to $20,000. If your work or contract is from before then, ask your conveyancer which rules apply. More detail: Section 137B report vs DBI and Home Warranty.
5. Insurance and the report are two different things
The defects inspection report
Prepared by a registered building practitioner. It records visible defects and non-compliant work in the owner-builder work, with photos, and is given to the buyer.
The insurance
Bought by the owner-builder for the buyer’s protection. It does not cover defects already listed in the report, and having a report does not mean you are insured.
Get your defects report first
The insurer, the conveyancer and the buyer all need the report. Book it early so it is ready before your campaign or signing date.
Frequently asked questions
Where do owner-builders buy insurance when selling in Victoria?
The Building and Plumbing Commission’s owner-builder sale page links to its BuildVic portal to purchase the insurance. The Commission also publishes four approved domestic building insurance distributors; ask them whether they handle owner-builder applications.
Does the insurer need a building inspection report?
Yes. Consumer Affairs Victoria lists the defects report among the documents you need to apply for the insurance. The report must be no more than 6 months old when the contract of sale is signed, so get it first.
When do I need owner-builder insurance?
According to the Building and Plumbing Commission, when you sell within 6 years and 6 months of completing the work and the project was valued at over $20,000. It must be purchased before you enter into a contract of sale. Contracts and work from before 1 July 2026 may fall under the earlier rules, so confirm with your conveyancer.
Can I buy the insurance after signing the contract?
The Building and Plumbing Commission says it must be purchased before entering into a contract to sell. If a contract has already been signed without it, speak to your conveyancer or solicitor straight away.
Does the insurance cover defects listed in my inspection report?
No. Defective or non-compliant work listed in the defects inspection report is excluded from the policy. That is one reason the report needs to be accurate and properly scoped.
What if the property does not sell?
The Building and Plumbing Commission says you may be able to cancel the policy and obtain a refund of the premium if the property does not sell. Check the terms when you buy.
Do I still need a defects report if the work was under the insurance threshold?
The defects report and the insurance have separate conditions. A report may still be required even where insurance is not, so check with your conveyancer or use our free check.
Do you sell insurance or receive commission from these companies?
No. We carry out the Section 137B defects inspection and report only. The companies are listed because the Building and Plumbing Commission publishes them; we have no commercial relationship with them and this is not a recommendation.
Sources (checked 19 October 2026): Building and Plumbing Commission — Selling an owner-built home (updated 25 August 2026), Building and Plumbing Commission — DBI approved distributors and Consumer Affairs Victoria — Owner builders.
General information only. This is not insurance, financial or legal advice, and we do not sell insurance. Insurance terms, eligibility and the documents required are set by the provider; confirm them before you apply. Last reviewed: 19 October 2026.