VCAT Overturns VBA Decision on Combustible Cladding

On August 18, 2026, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) delivered a landmark decision overturning disciplinary actions taken by the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) against a building surveyor. The case centered on approvals given for combustible cladding at projects in Brunswick East, Glen Iris, and Prahran.

The VCAT ruling found that the VBA failed to prove its allegations beyond reasonable doubt, leading to the dismissal of all disciplinary grounds. Key issues included the requirement for the VBA to demonstrate more than a possible error in compliance assessment and the acceptance of the surveyor's honest belief in compliance despite limited documentation.

This decision provides significant guidance on the standards expected from building surveyors when approving building work, emphasizing the importance of genuine satisfaction with compliance rather than perfect documentation. For tradespeople, this ruling underscores the need for thorough but realistic assessments and understanding of current regulatory requirements.

Source: Sourceable. Summarised by QuoteTrades.