Ask ten Melbourne homeowners whether they need a building permit or a demolition permit for their project, and you’ll get ten different answers — most of them wrong, none of them really their fault. The terminology is muddled, the council websites use different names for the same thing, and Google’s top results often quote rules from New South Wales or Queensland that don’t apply in Victoria.
Here’s the truth: in Victoria, a “demolition permit” isn’t actually a separate class of permit. It’s a specific kind of building permit — formally a “building permit for demolition” — and it almost always sits next to a Section 29A demolition consent issued by your local council. Together, those two documents are what most people mean when they say “demolition permit”.
That distinction matters, because the wrong assumption can cost you weeks. As a fully licensed Melbourne demolition company with Class B (non-friable) asbestos removal capability, we lodge these applications across metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria every week — and the confusion between the two is the single most common reason projects start late.
This guide is the plain-English version of how building permits and demolition permits actually relate to each other in Victoria, what each one covers, what they cost in 2026, and how to make sure you’re applying for the right thing.
Quick answer: In Victoria, all building work — including demolition — is authorised under the Building Act 1993 through a building permit issued by a Registered Building Surveyor (RBS). There is no separate “demolition permit” document class. What people call a “demolition permit” is usually a building permit for demolition, almost always paired with a Section 29A demolition consent from the council (required where the demolition exceeds 50% of building volume or affects any street-facing facade). A standard building permit, by contrast, authorises new construction, alterations, additions and extensions. Both come from the same RBS, both rely on the same Act, but they cover different work and have different prerequisites. The Section 29A statutory fee is capped at 5.75 fee units — $96.66 for 2025–26 at the current fee unit value of $16.81.
Why People Get Building Permits and Demolition Permits Confused
Three things drive the confusion, and once you see them you can’t unsee them.
First, the colloquial language doesn’t match the legal language. Councils, builders and homeowners all use the phrase “demolition permit” in everyday conversation, but the Building Act 1993 doesn’t define a permit by that name. What the Act actually creates is a building permit, which can authorise any number of building works — including the demolition or removal of a structure. The RBS ticks a different box on the same kind of permit.
Second, the term “demolition permit” is widely used outside Victoria with a different meaning. New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia each have their own permit and notification regimes. Search results and AI answers often blend the rules together, which is why a homeowner in Hawthorn ends up reading something that was technically true in Brisbane.
Third, there are usually two separate documents that together authorise a demolition — the Section 29A consent from council, and the building permit for demolition from the RBS. Some councils call the 29A a “demolition consent”, others a “Form 29A”, others a “demolition report and consent”. None of them are wrong; they’re all describing the same approval.
If you take nothing else from this article, take this: in Victoria, you don’t choose between a building permit and a demolition permit. You almost always need a building permit — and what kind of building permit (new build, alteration, demolition) depends on what you’re actually doing.
What Is a Building Permit in Victoria?
A building permit is the formal authorisation issued under the Building Act 1993 that allows building work to be carried out in Victoria. It’s issued by a Registered Building Surveyor (RBS) — either a private surveyor engaged by the owner, or a council-employed surveyor where the council provides that service.
A building permit confirms that:
- The proposed work complies with the Building Act 1993, the Building Regulations 2018 and the National Construction Code (NCC)
- The plans, specifications and documentation are sufficient and appropriate
- The builder or contractor is registered to carry out that class of work
- All required upstream approvals (planning permit, Section 29A consent, owner-builder authorisation, etc.) are in place
- Insurance and warranty arrangements meet statutory requirements
Building permits in Victoria cover an enormous range of work, including:
- New construction — a new house, townhouse, commercial building or industrial shed
- Alterations and additions — extensions, second storeys, garage conversions, renovations
- Re-stumping and underpinning — structural foundation work
- Re-erection or relocation of an existing building
- Demolition or removal of an existing building or structure
- Swimming pools and spas above a certain depth
- Retaining walls above a certain height
- Certain change-of-use scenarios even without physical work
The phrase “building permit” is the umbrella. Every legal building activity in Victoria — including demolition — flows through that umbrella. Which is why, technically, there is no permit called a “demolition permit” — there’s a building permit for demolition.
What Is a Demolition Permit in Victoria? (And Why the Term Is Misleading)
When most people say “demolition permit” in Victoria, they mean one or both of two documents that, together, allow a structure to be lawfully demolished:
Document 1: The Section 29A Demolition Consent (the council’s consent)
A Section 29A consent is the report and consent issued by your local council under Section 29A of the Building Act 1993 before the RBS can issue a building permit for demolition. It’s required when either of two tests is met:
- The 50% volume test — the proposed demolition (combined with anything demolished or permitted in the previous three years) would amount to more than half the building’s volume
- The facade test — any part of a facade that faces a street is being demolished or altered
The Section 29A is the council’s last opportunity to weigh in on streetscape, heritage and neighbourhood impacts before the bricks come down. The statutory fee is capped at 5.75 fee units under Regulation 36 of the Building Regulations 2018 — $96.66 for the 2025–26 financial year at the fee unit value of $16.81.
We covered Section 29A in depth in our What Is a Demolition Consent and How Do You Get One in Victoria? guide.
Document 2: The Building Permit for Demolition (the surveyor’s permit)
This is the actual permit to physically demolish, issued by a Registered Building Surveyor. It’s the same legal instrument as a building permit for new construction — but it’s ticking the demolition box rather than the new-build box. The RBS will only issue it once:
- Any required planning permit has been granted
- Any required Section 29A consent has been issued
- The contractor’s registration class is appropriate for the type and height of structure
- A hazardous materials survey has been completed
- A licensed asbestos removalist has been engaged (Class B for non-friable, Class A for friable)
- Service disconnections (gas, power, water, telecoms) have been arranged
- Public protection (hoarding, signage, dust controls) is planned
- Public liability insurance is in place
Demolition building permits are rarely issued to owner-builders in Victoria. Most surveyors will only issue them to a registered demolition contractor with the right experience, equipment and insurance.
So when someone says “I need a demolition permit”, in Victoria what they actually need is a Section 29A consent (in most cases) plus a building permit for demolition. Two documents, two issuers, one purpose.
Building Permit vs Demolition Permit: The Side-by-Side Comparison
The fastest way to see the difference is to put them next to each other.
| Feature | Standard Building Permit | “Demolition Permit” (29A Consent + Building Permit for Demolition) |
|---|---|---|
| Legal basis | Building Act 1993, Building Regulations 2018 | Building Act 1993 (s. 29A), Building Regulations 2018 (Reg 36) |
| What it authorises | New construction, alterations, additions, extensions, restumping, re-erection | Demolition or removal of an existing building or structure |
| Issued by | Registered Building Surveyor (private or council) | RBS (the building permit) + local council (the 29A consent) |
| Statutory trigger | Any building work above prescribed thresholds | 50% volume test or facade test (for 29A); demolition itself (for the building permit) |
| Statutory fee cap | None — set by surveyor based on cost of works | 5.75 fee units for the 29A — $96.66 in 2025–26; building permit fee set by RBS |
| Typical residential cost | $1,500–$8,000+ depending on works | $96.66 (29A) + $1,500–$4,000 (building permit) + asset protection fees + planning permit if required |
| Planning permit prerequisite | Sometimes (zoning, overlays, use changes) | Yes if any overlay (most commonly Heritage) triggers it |
| Typical timeline | 5–15 business days once documentation complete | 6–10 weeks end-to-end; 4–6 months+ for heritage-affected sites |
| Asbestos prerequisites | Only where renovation may disturb ACM | Mandatory hazardous materials survey and licensed asbestos removalist |
| EPA Waste Tracker | Only where reportable priority waste is produced | Almost always — asbestos waste is pre-classified as RPW |
| Typical applicant | Owner, registered builder, or owner-builder (with limits) | Registered demolition contractor (owner-builder rare) |
The headline takeaway: the same RBS that issues your building permit for the new house can issue the building permit for the demolition that precedes it. They’re not different agencies — but they’re definitely not the same paperwork.
The Full Approvals Stack: Where Each Permit Actually Sits
For most knock-down rebuilds in Melbourne, you’re not choosing one permit or the other — you’re working through a stack that runs in a fairly fixed order. Here’s how the pieces fit, in the order they’re typically obtained.
Stage 1: The Demolition Side (knocking the old building down)
- VicPlan property check — to identify zones, overlays and controls
- Title search — to identify covenants, Section 173 agreements and easements
- Planning permit (if required by a Heritage Overlay or other control) — granted under the Planning and Environment Act 1987
- Section 29A demolition consent — granted by council under the Building Act 1993
- Asset protection permit — granted by council to protect footpaths, kerbs, nature strips, street trees and drainage pits
- Hazardous materials survey and licensed asbestos removal — under WorkSafe and EPA frameworks
- Service disconnections — gas, power, water, telecoms confirmed in writing
- Building permit for demolition — granted by the Registered Building Surveyor
Stage 2: The Construction Side (building the new structure)
- Planning permit for the new building (if zoning, overlays or design controls require it)
- Building permit for the new construction — granted by the RBS, separate from the demolition building permit
- Inspections at frame, lock-up and other prescribed stages
- Occupancy permit or Certificate of Final Inspection — at completion
The thing that surprises people most is the duplication. You can need two separate planning permits and two separate building permits on the same project — one set for the demolition, one for the build that replaces it. They’re assessed against different criteria, lodged at different times, and (often) prepared by different consultants.
For a council-by-council look at how each of these stages is actually administered across metropolitan Melbourne, see our Council Demolition Permits in Melbourne: A Suburb-by-Suburb Overview.
When You Need a Building Permit vs When You Need a Demolition Permit
Here are the most common Melbourne scenarios we’re asked about, and what permits each actually needs. Specific overlays and council policies can shift the answer, so always verify against the property — but these are the typical outcomes.
Full Knock-Down Rebuild on a Suburban Block
You need all of the above. A separate planning permit (if any overlay applies), a Section 29A consent, an asset protection permit, a building permit for demolition, and a separate building permit for the new construction. Two “permits”, two surveyor approvals, two stages.
Major Renovation Keeping the Front Half of the House
Almost always both. Section 29A and a building permit for demolition cover the parts you’re removing; a separate building permit covers the alterations and additions. Heritage Overlays typically catch this scenario hard — front-half retention is the bare minimum for many inner-east councils.
Minor Renovation — New Bathroom, Internal Reconfiguration
Building permit only. No Section 29A required if you’re under the 50% volume threshold and not touching a street-facing facade. A planning permit is rarely required unless an overlay specifically catches the work.
Removing a Front Verandah or Porch
Section 29A almost always required, even though the volume removed is tiny. The facade test is what catches you. You then also need a building permit for the demolition itself, and possibly a planning permit if the building is in a Heritage Overlay.
Demolishing a Detached Garage or Shed
Usually no Section 29A, because outbuildings are typically separate buildings — but you still need a building permit for demolition for the structure itself. Some inner-Melbourne Heritage Overlays explicitly cover outbuildings, in which case a planning permit is also required. Always read the schedule, not just the overlay.
Re-Cladding a Building With No Structural Demolition
Building permit only, in most cases. If the recladding involves removing significant facade elements, the facade test can still trigger Section 29A. If the existing cladding is asbestos cement, WorkSafe and EPA obligations apply regardless of which permits do or don’t.
Fire-Damaged Property
Both, plus heightened obligations. Section 29A applies if the demolition meets either test. The bigger issue is the asbestos: fire often turns previously bonded asbestos into friable material, which requires a Class A licensed removalist rather than Class B, and the surrounding soil may need to be managed as asbestos-contaminated soil. We covered this scenario in detail in our WorkSafe Victoria Demolition Requirements guide.
Heritage-Listed Cottage in Fitzroy, South Yarra or Williamstown
Both, plus a planning permit, plus a Heritage Impact Statement, plus a long road. Section 29A consent will be refused if the planning permit is refused, and inner-east councils refuse demolition of individually significant heritage buildings except in exceptional circumstances.
What Each Permit Actually Costs in 2026
Realistic 2026 cost ranges across metropolitan Melbourne, based on what we’re currently quoting:
Demolition-side costs:
- Section 29A statutory fee — capped at 5.75 fee units, $96.66 for 2025–26 at $16.81 per fee unit (some councils round to $93.90, $96.60 or $96.70)
- Planning permit fee for heritage-affected demolitions — typically $1,300–$1,500+, calculated on the cost of works
- Heritage Impact Statement (if required) — $2,000–$5,000+ depending on complexity
- Building permit for demolition issued by an RBS — typically $1,500–$4,000+ for residential
- Asset protection permit — $320 in Wyndham to around $465 in Hume, with inner-east councils charging a fee plus a separately calculated security bond
- Title search — $25–$70
Construction-side costs (for the new build):
- Planning permit fee for the new dwelling — calculated on the cost of works under the Planning and Environment (Fees) Regulations
- Building permit for new construction — typically 0.1%–0.4% of the cost of works for residential, with minimums
- Council and government levies — Building Permit Levy, Cladding Rectification Levy (where applicable), state revenue charges
Substantive demolition costs that sit alongside the permits:
Asbestos removal, service disconnections, plant and labour, public protection, dust controls, traffic management, and lawful disposal at EPA-licensed facilities. The Victorian metropolitan waste levy alone is $167.90 per tonne from 1 July 2025 — up roughly 28% in a single year — and is scheduled to rise again on 1 July 2026 under the Act’s indexation. Disposal fees on a single-storey demolition can comfortably exceed several thousand dollars before any other line item.
The full waste-side picture is in our EPA Victoria Construction and Demolition Waste Rules guide.
If a quote for a Melbourne knock-down rebuild looks materially cheaper than the rest of the market, the savings almost always come out of asbestos handling, levy avoidance, or insurance gaps. None of those corners are worth cutting.
How Long Each Permit Takes
A useful rule of thumb in 2026:
- Section 29A consent (no Heritage Overlay): 2–6 weeks
- Section 29A consent (Heritage Overlay applies): add 3–6 months for the planning permit in front of it for inner-east councils, or 6–12 weeks for outer councils with isolated heritage triggers
- Asset protection permit: 1–4 weeks
- Service disconnections: 2–6 weeks (can run in parallel)
- Building permit for demolition: 5–10 business days once all upstream approvals are in
- Building permit for new construction: 5–15 business days once documentation is complete
- Planning permit for new construction: 8–16 weeks for straightforward residential; longer for heritage, multi-unit or design-controlled sites
Realistic end-to-end horizons:
- Non-heritage suburban demolition + new build: 4–8 months from contract signing to slab pour
- Heritage-affected demolition + new build: 9–18 months, sometimes longer for individually significant places
The temptation to compress this timeline — by lodging applications out of sequence, or starting demolition work “while the paperwork catches up” — is the most expensive mistake we see homeowners make.
Where Asbestos and EPA Compliance Fit Into the Permit Picture
This is the piece that most often gets skipped in “building permit vs demolition permit” explanations. Neither permit covers asbestos or waste — but both are conditional on it being managed properly.
The framework is split across three regulators:
- Local council and the RBS issue the permits (planning permit, Section 29A, asset protection, building permit)
- WorkSafe Victoria regulates the work — safety, asbestos removal procedures, SWMS, training, induction (full picture in our WorkSafe Victoria Demolition Requirements guide)
- EPA Victoria regulates the waste, pollution and emissions — classification, transport, disposal, dust, stormwater, noise (full picture in our EPA Victoria Construction and Demolition Waste Rules guide)
What this means in practice: your building permit for demolition will require evidence that asbestos has been identified, that a licensed removalist will handle it (Class B for non-friable, Class A for friable), and that disposal will go through EPA’s Waste Tracker system. Asbestos waste is pre-classified as reportable priority waste under Schedule 5 of the Environment Protection Regulations 2021 — every movement must be tracked, every transporter must be permitted, and every destination must be authorised.
A demolition contractor that can’t fluently navigate all three regimes — council, WorkSafe and EPA — will find out the gap somewhere between Section 29A and the asbestos clearance certificate. We hold a Class B (non-friable) asbestos removal licence and partner with Class A specialists where friable material is identified.
Common Mistakes That Mix Up Building Permits and Demolition Permits
After hundreds of permit applications, the same misconceptions show up over and over.
“The builder is sorting all the permits.” A registered builder will normally arrange the building permit for new construction through their RBS. They typically don’t arrange the Section 29A, the asset protection permit or the building permit for demolition unless that scope is explicitly written into the contract. Read the contract carefully and ask who is doing what.
“If I’ve got a building permit, I don’t need a demolition consent.” A building permit for new construction doesn’t authorise demolition — even if the new building is replacing an old one on the same site. You need a separate building permit for the demolition stage, and (usually) a Section 29A consent to support it.
“I’ll deal with the asbestos at the end, on the way to the tip.” WorkSafe Victoria requires asbestos to be removed before demolition where reasonably practicable, by a licensed removalist, with notification to WorkSafe and tracking through EPA Waste Tracker. Trying to deal with it on the way to the tip is unlawful and dangerous.
“Section 29A only applies to the front of the house.” The 50% volume test catches a huge range of scenarios that have nothing to do with the front facade. Major renovations, second-storey additions and substantial rear demolitions all routinely trigger Section 29A.
“Owner-builders can do their own demolition.” Most Registered Building Surveyors won’t issue a building permit for demolition to an owner-builder. The work falls under high-risk construction, requires registration, equipment, insurance and licensing that owner-builders don’t typically hold.
“Permits are valid forever.” They aren’t. Building permits have statutory lapse provisions if work doesn’t commence within the prescribed timeframe. Section 29A consents and planning permits also have expiry conditions. Sitting on approvals for two years and then starting work is a common (and avoidable) source of permit refresh costs.
“The cheapest quote must have the right permits.” Cheaper quotes typically achieve their pricing by skipping line items. If a quote doesn’t separately itemise Section 29A, asset protection, building permit, asbestos survey, asbestos removal, service disconnections and lawful disposal, ask why.
Plain-English Permits Checklist (Save This)
Before you commit to a contractor or sign any application, make sure you’ve worked through every box:
- [ ] VicPlan property report obtained (zone, overlays, controls)
- [ ] Heritage Overlay status confirmed in the schedule to the overlay
- [ ] Restrictive covenants and Section 173 agreements checked on title
- [ ] Current Certificate of Title (within 3 months) obtained
- [ ] Planning permit lodged for demolition (if required)
- [ ] Planning permit lodged for new construction (if required)
- [ ] Heritage Impact Statement prepared (if required)
- [ ] Section 29A demolition consent application prepared
- [ ] Asset protection permit application prepared
- [ ] Hazardous materials survey commissioned
- [ ] Licensed asbestos removalist engaged (Class B for non-friable, Class A for friable)
- [ ] WorkSafe asbestos removal notification arranged
- [ ] EPA Waste Tracker arrangements confirmed
- [ ] Service disconnections (gas, power, water, telecoms) in progress
- [ ] Registered Building Surveyor appointed for both demolition and construction
- [ ] Building permit for demolition issued
- [ ] Building permit for new construction lodged
- [ ] Public liability insurance current and certificate sighted
- [ ] Neighbouring properties notified
Gone and Clean Demolition – Contact
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is a building permit the same as a demolition permit in Victoria?
No — but they’re closely related. A building permit is the umbrella authorisation for any building work in Victoria under the Building Act 1993, including new construction, alterations, additions and demolition. A “demolition permit” is the colloquial name for the combination of (a) a Section 29A demolition consent from your local council and (b) a building permit specifically for demolition work issued by a Registered Building Surveyor. There is no permit document literally called a “demolition permit” in Victoria — but the work it describes still needs both approvals in most cases.
Do I need a building permit AND a demolition permit if I’m doing a knock-down rebuild?
Yes. A typical Melbourne knock-down rebuild needs two separate building permits — one for the demolition, and a separate one for the new construction — plus a Section 29A consent for the demolition (in almost all cases), an asset protection permit from council, and possibly two separate planning permits if heritage or other overlays apply. The demolition permits are issued first, the construction permits second.
Who issues a building permit for demolition in Victoria?
A Registered Building Surveyor (RBS) under the Building Act 1993. The surveyor can be a private RBS engaged directly by the property owner or the demolition contractor, or a council-employed RBS where the council provides building surveying services (some inner-Melbourne councils still do). Both have the same statutory powers and obligations.
What is the difference between a Section 29A consent and a building permit for demolition?
A Section 29A consent is the council’s report and consent under the Building Act 1993, required before the building permit can be issued where the demolition meets the 50% volume test or the facade test. The building permit for demolition is the actual permit to physically demolish, issued by the Registered Building Surveyor once Section 29A and any other prerequisites are in place. Section 29A is a council document; the building permit is a surveyor’s document. Together, they form what most people informally call a “demolition permit”.
How much does a demolition permit cost compared to a building permit in Victoria?
The Section 29A statutory fee is capped at 5.75 fee units — $96.66 for the 2025–26 financial year. The building permit for demolition itself is typically $1,500–$4,000+ for residential, set by the Registered Building Surveyor based on scope. A standard building permit for new construction is generally larger — typically 0.1%–0.4% of the cost of works for residential, plus the Building Permit Levy and any other state charges. So the demolition-side permit costs are usually lower in dollar terms, but the demolition timeline and asbestos obligations make the project complexity higher than people expect.
Can I get a building permit without a demolition permit if I’m only renovating?
Yes — frequently. If your renovation stays under the 50% volume threshold and doesn’t touch any street-facing facade, you generally don’t need Section 29A consent. You’ll still need a building permit from a Registered Building Surveyor for the alteration and addition work, and possibly a planning permit if zoning, overlays or design controls catch the project. Internal renovations, rear extensions on non-corner blocks, and second-storey additions that retain the existing ground floor are common examples.
Do I need a planning permit AND a building permit for a demolition?
Sometimes both, sometimes just the building permit. A planning permit is required when the property is affected by a planning control that triggers it — most commonly a Heritage Overlay, but also Neighbourhood Character, Significant Landscape, or covenant-based controls. If a planning permit is required, it must be obtained before Section 29A consent can be issued. Properties outside these overlays typically only need Section 29A and a building permit for demolition. Always check VicPlan for the specific address.
Who lodges the building permit and demolition permit applications — me or my contractor?
Section 29A consent is normally lodged by the demolition contractor or building surveyor as the owner’s authorised agent, with the owner’s written authority. The building permit for demolition is lodged by the demolition contractor with the Registered Building Surveyor. The building permit for the new construction is normally lodged by the registered builder with their RBS. The asset protection permit is lodged by the demolition contractor in their own name. The owner signs authorities; the professionals run the process.
What happens if I do demolition work without the right permits?
Penalties under the Building Act 1993 are substantial — fines for individuals and companies can run into tens of thousands of dollars, and WorkSafe and EPA penalties stack on top for any safety or waste breaches. Council can issue stop-work orders, refer the matter for prosecution, and in some heritage cases require you to rebuild or restore the building. Insurance won’t cover unpermitted demolition, and the future sale of the property becomes much harder once council records show illegal works.
Does a building permit cover asbestos removal?
No. Building permits don’t cover asbestos removal directly — that sits under WorkSafe Victoria (OHS Regulations 2017) and EPA Victoria (Environment Protection Regulations 2021). Your licensed asbestos removalist holds those obligations, including the WorkSafe notification and the EPA Waste Tracker entries for any reportable priority waste. The building permit will, however, require evidence that asbestos has been identified and that a licensed removalist is engaged before structural demolition begins.
Are demolition permits different in regional Victoria?
The legal framework is the same statewide — Building Act 1993, Building Regulations 2018, and the same statutory Section 29A fee cap. What differs is the planning scheme of each council, the heritage overlays that apply locally, and the council’s processing speed. Regional councils generally have lighter heritage controls than inner-Melbourne councils, but coastal, bushfire-prone and historic township areas can carry their own complexities. We work across both metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria.
How does a building permit for demolition differ from one for new construction?
Same legal instrument, different prerequisites. A building permit for demolition requires Section 29A consent (in most cases), a hazardous materials survey, a licensed asbestos removalist, service disconnections, public protection arrangements, and a registered demolition contractor. A building permit for new construction requires structural plans, energy ratings, soil reports, registered builder appointment, builder’s warranty insurance for residential work, and compliance with the National Construction Code. Both are issued by the same Registered Building Surveyor, but the surveyor checks very different boxes.
Can the same Registered Building Surveyor issue both my demolition and construction permits?
Yes — and it’s often a good idea. Using the same RBS for both stages keeps the documentation, inspection scheduling and compliance picture consistent. Some Melbourne councils still offer a council-employed RBS service for both stages. Either way, your demolition contractor and your registered builder both need to be comfortable working with whichever surveyor you choose.
Get the Right Permits and a Compliant Demolition Quote in Melbourne
We’re a fully licensed Melbourne demolition company with Class B (non-friable) asbestos removal capability — meaning your Section 29A consent, your planning permit liaison, your asset protection permit, your building permit for demolition, your asbestos removal and your EPA waste compliance are all handled under one insured roof, across every metropolitan Melbourne council and regional Victoria.
Whether it’s a knock-down rebuild in Brighton, Camberwell, Hawthorn or Toorak, a heritage-affected demolition in Fitzroy, Carlton, South Yarra or Williamstown, a townhouse strip-out in Footscray or Yarraville, a fire-damaged property in the Yarra Ranges or Macedon Ranges, a partial structural demolition for a renovation in Kew or Malvern, or a fast-turn growth-corridor demolition in Tarneit, Werribee, Cranbourne or Pakenham, we’ll handle the right permits, the council paperwork, the asbestos and the heavy lifting — properly, the first time.
Call us today for a free site inspection and fixed-price quote — and get a project where the building permits, the demolition permits and everything in between are sorted by people who do it every day.
Disclaimer: This guide summarises the relationship between building permits and demolition permits in Victoria as of May 2026 in plain English. It is not legal or planning advice. Council fees, overlays, planning policies and fee unit values are updated regularly — always check the current Building Act 1993, Building Regulations 2018 and VicPlan, or consult a qualified town planner, building surveyor or solicitor, before relying on this information for a specific project. Fee unit values reset on 1 July each year.
Sources & Further Reading
- Building Act 1993 (Vic), particularly Sections 16, 24 and 29A
- Building Regulations 2018 (Vic), particularly Regulation 36
- Planning and Environment Act 1987 (Vic)
- Victorian Building Authority — Demolition of Buildings Practice Note (BUILDING-DE-01, May 2024)
- Victorian Building Authority — Building Permit Process guidance
- Department of Justice and Community Safety Victoria — Penalties and Values (2025–26 fee unit value)
- VicPlan — vicplan.vic.gov.au
- WorkSafe Victoria — Compliance Code: Demolition (Edition 2, 2019)
- EPA Victoria — Civil Construction, Building and Demolition Guide (publication 1834)