Does Victorian Landscaping Work Over $10,000 Need a Major Building Contract?

Yes. Consumer Affairs Victoria’s guidance, updated 24 September 2025, says a major domestic building contract in writing is required when landscaping is associated with or carried out in conjunction with constructing or renovating a home and the work is worth more than $10,000 (figures checked 1 October 2026). A contract solely for landscaping, such as planting a lawn, would not generally be considered domestic building work.

When does landscaping count as major domestic building work?

The connection between the landscaping and the home project matters, as does the value of the work. For work worth more than $10,000, Consumer Affairs Victoria gives the following guidance:

The listed associated work also includes paving, retaining structures, driveways, fencing, lighting, heating, air conditioning, water supply and sewerage. Other major domestic building work can include demolition or removal of a home, permit-related construction on residential-zoned land, site work needed to provide property access, and preparing relevant plans or specifications.

For building work worth $10,000 or less, a major domestic building contract is not required by this threshold. Consumer Affairs Victoria nevertheless recommends a written contract for all building work, including that value range, to confirm the work and help resolve disputes.

What must the written contract contain?

Consumer Affairs Victoria’s contract-preparation guidance, updated 8 July 2025, requires a major domestic building contract to:

• Be in writing and written in clear English.
• Set out all terms in full and describe the work in detail.
• State the names and addresses of the contracting parties.
• State the builder’s registration number as shown on the builder’s registration certificate.
• State the contract price, deposit and progress payments as required by law.
• State the effective date, which is the date on which both parties signed the contract.
• Give clear advice about the 5-day cooling-off period; contracts over $10,000 must include the relevant clause.
• Define words and key phrases and set out implied warranties.
• Contain the Approved checklist.

Where applicable to the proposed work, the contract should also include plans and specifications sufficient to obtain a building permit, details of required domestic building insurance when the contract is for more than $16,000, and the days allowed for foreseeable delays and inclement weather. It should state the start and finish dates, including permitted delay allowances.

If the start date is not known, the contract must explain how it will be determined, state that everything reasonably possible will be done to start the work as soon as possible, and state how many days will be required to finish after work starts.

Consumer Affairs Victoria also provides a free model domestic building contract for people planning to build a new home.

When must the client receive the Domestic Building Consumer Guide?

The client must receive a copy of the Domestic Building Consumer Guide before signing the major domestic building contract. Give it to the client before signature rather than treating it as paperwork to provide later.

Does owner-builder status or BPC registration change the answer?

No. Even if the client is the owner-builder named on the building permit, the builder must still:

• Be registered with the Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC) to handle a contract worth more than $10,000.
• Be BPC-registered to reblock, restump, demolish or remove a home, regardless of the value of that work.
• Use a major domestic building contract for work worth more than $10,000.

The builder should confirm the required BPC registration before offering the contract.

What should be settled before the client signs?

Use this sequence to reduce gaps in the contract:

1. Classify the job: Confirm whether it is associated with constructing or renovating a home and whether the work is worth more than $10,000.
2. Check registration: Confirm the builder’s BPC status where required.
3. Check the site and permits: Confirm the site is suitable, satisfy yourself that the foundation data is accurate, and obtain the required building or planning permits—or state in the contract how they will be obtained.
4. Define the work: Clearly set out the scope in the contract, plans, specifications and relevant documents. Include the client’s special requirements and finishes, and identify unidentified or unpriced fixtures and fittings as provisional sum or prime cost items.
5. Check commercial terms: Make sure the price and progress payments are clear and lawful, the deposit is within the legal limit, and the client understands variations, reasonable site access, dates, delays, liquidated damages and termination circumstances.
6. Provide consumer information: Give the client the Domestic Building Consumer Guide and include clear advice about the 5-day cooling-off period.
7. Avoid prohibited terms: The contract must not contain a compulsory arbitration clause, a caveat on the building-site land, or a waiver or negation of implied warranties.

Is domestic building insurance required at the same threshold?

No. The insurance threshold is separate from the major-contract threshold. When the work is worth more than $16,000, the builder must take out domestic building insurance for the client. The contract should set out the applicable insurance details, and the client must receive the certificate of currency.

This is general information, not financial or legal advice. Check the current Consumer Affairs Victoria regulator page for the rules applying to your job and read the PDS for any insurance policy you hold.

Sources

• Consumer Affairs Victoria — What work requires a building contract
• Consumer Affairs Victoria — Preparing a major domestic building contract

FAQ

Does every landscaping job worth more than $10,000 need a major building contract?

No. A landscaping-only contract, such as one solely for planting a lawn, would not generally be considered domestic building work. Landscaping associated or carried out in conjunction with constructing or renovating a home can fall within the requirement.

What happens if the work is worth exactly $10,000?

The major-contract requirement applies to work worth more than $10,000. For building work worth $10,000 or less, Consumer Affairs Victoria recommends a written contract but does not require a major domestic building contract under that threshold.

Does the client being an owner-builder remove the requirement?

No. The builder must still meet the applicable BPC registration requirements and use a major domestic building contract for work worth more than $10,000.

When must the Domestic Building Consumer Guide be provided?

The client must receive it before signing the major domestic building contract.

Does work worth more than $10,000 automatically require domestic building insurance?

No. The stated domestic building insurance requirement applies when the work is worth more than $16,000, which is a separate threshold from the major-contract requirement.