Victorian homebuyers could soon be spared the cost of building and pest inspections if the state Labor government is re-elected in November. Premier Jacinta Allan announced plans this morning to introduce a mandatory scheme requiring vendors to organise and pay for inspections, and to create the reports available to prospective buyers.
The proposed scheme, slated for legislation in 2027, aims to address the financial burden currently placed on buyers, with inspection costs potentially reaching $600 per report. According to data from the Consumer Policy Research Centre, almost half of all Victorian homebuyers pay for multiple inspections during their property search, and 17% proceed without any reports due to cost concerns.
“Some buyers spend thousands on multiple reports. Some roll the dice and move without,” Allan stated. “When you buy a car, the seller pays for the roadworthy. It should work the same way when you look for a home.”
The Victorian plan mirrors a similar scheme already in place in the Australian Capital Territory, where vendors are required to provide inspection reports within three months of sale, excluding modern builds. The ACT scheme allows vendors to recoup the cost of the reports from the buyer after the contract is signed.
Victorian Minister for Consumer Affairs, Nick Staikos, emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring a robust and fair system. “Doing the due diligence for your big purchase should be as simple and affordable as possible,” Staikos said. “We’ll do the work to make sure our scheme is watertight and protects buyers from conflicts of interest.”
Allan indicated that her government would consult with the ACT government and industry stakeholders to develop a scheme tailored to Victorian conditions. The announcement comes amid scrutiny of the Allan government’s handling of corruption allegations within the construction industry, and broader concerns about transparency in the state’s building sector. Recent reports have accused Allan of breaching the ministerial code of conduct by allegedly using taxpayer funds to promote the Labor Party, and questioned her government’s commitment to addressing corruption within the “Big Build” infrastructure program.
The Age reported earlier this month that the Allan government has shown no intention of bolstering the powers of the state’s anti-corruption agency, IBAC, despite facing significant corruption issues. An AFR investigation in February alleged the Victorian government “turned a blind eye” to criminal activity and union corruption on government building sites, costing the state an estimated $15 billion.
As of March 11, 2026, the Victorian premier has not responded to these allegations.
