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Home Warranty has replaced Domestic Building Insurance (DBI) for eligible domestic building work.
For major domestic building contracts entered on or after 1 July 2026, builders must purchase Home Warranty.
However, for insurance applications relating to contracts entered before 1 July 2026, please email BPC at [email protected].
Include the following details in your email:
Subject field: DBI Application
Details
- Description of the domestic building works
- Builder's full name
- Property address
- Date that the contract was signed by both parties
- Contract value: $amount
What happens next?
BPC will review your application and email you with next steps.
Home Warranty is Victoria’s mandatory insurance scheme for eligible domestic building work under contracts signed on or after 1 July 2026. It replaced Domestic Building Insurance (DBI) for new eligible work and generally applies where eligible domestic building work is valued at more than $20,000. Existing DBI policies continue under their existing terms and do not transfer to Home Warranty.
HIA Insurance Services (HIAIS) can help Victorian builders understand eligibility, application requirements and the next steps for eligible projects.
Home Warranty at a glance
- Started on 1 July 2026 for new eligible domestic building work under contracts signed on or after that date.
- Generally applies to eligible domestic building work valued at more than $20,000, subject to the policy terms and conditions.
- May help provide assistance where eligible work is incomplete, defective or non-compliant and the builder is unable or unwilling to complete or fix the work, subject to the policy terms and conditions.
- May help provide up to $400,000 in total assistance per home, subject to eligibility, limits, exclusions and claim assessment, subject to the policy terms and conditions.
- Existing Domestic Building Insurance policies remain in place under their current terms and conditions.
Resources & Quicklinks
DBI Nomination Form
Insurance Application Form
Insurance Cancellation Form
DBI Eligibility Application
BuildVic Portal
BPC MFR Change Application Form
Couldn't find the form you're looking for?
We have created a library of Home Warranty Insurance forms from all states that we provide warranty insurance services for.
Visit Forms LibraryWho needs Home Warranty in Victoria?
Home Warranty may apply to registered builders undertaking eligible domestic building work in Victoria under eligible contracts signed on or after 1 July 2026. Eligible work valued at more than $20,000 may include:
- construction of a new home
- repairs, alterations or extensions to a home
- residential buildings up to three storeys containing more than two homes
- domestic building work associated with swimming pools
Eligibility, exclusions and scheme requirements apply. Builders should confirm the requirements for each project before work starts.
When does Home Warranty cover start?
For eligible work, Home Warranty cover starts from the earliest of when the registered builder:
- pays the applicable Home Warranty premium
- starts carrying out the building work
- signs the major domestic building contract
The registered builder must pay the Home Warranty premium before the earlier of:
- 10 business days after the building contract is signed; or
- the eligible domestic building work starting.
BPC issues a Notice of Cover to the building owner when it accepts payment of the premium.
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Find out moreWhat changed from Domestic Building Insurance?
Victoria moved from Domestic Building Insurance to Home Warranty for new eligible domestic building work from 1 July 2026. The scheme that applies depends on when the building contract was signed and the insurance issued.
| Situation | Scheme | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Eligible contract signed on or after 1 July 2026 | Home Warranty | The new scheme may apply to eligible domestic building work valued at more than $20,000. |
| Contract signed before 1 July 2026 with a DBI Certificate of Insurance | Domestic Building Insurance | The existing DBI policy continues under its current terms and does not transfer to Home Warranty. |
| Unclear which scheme applies | Check before proceeding | Confirm the contract date, value and insurance documents, then contact HIAIS for guidance. |
What may Home Warranty cover?
Home Warranty may help provide assistance if eligible domestic building work is incomplete, defective or non-compliant and the builder is unable or unwilling to complete or fix the work. Assistance is subject to eligibility, limits, exclusions and claim assessment.
| Area | Summary |
|---|---|
| Maximum assistance | may help provide up to $400,000 in total assistance per home, subject to eligibility, limits and exclusions. The maximum amount of assistance available under Home Warranty is $400,000 in total per home. This overall limit includes any approved assistance for eligible incomplete, defective or non-compliant work, accommodation, removal and storage costs, and costs to secure an incomplete building site. |
| Major defects | May be covered for up to six years after eligible work is completed. subject to eligibility, scheme limits and claim assessment. |
| Other defects or non-compliant work | May be covered for up to two years after eligible work is completed subject to eligibility, scheme limits and claim assessment. |
| Incomplete work | May be covered, capped at 30% of the total contract price including agreed variations, subject to the overall scheme limit and assessment. |
| Lost deposits | May be covered where building work has not started, subject to eligibility, scheme limits and claim assessment |
| Accommodation, removal and storage | May be available in some circumstances, capped at $12,000, subject to eligibility, scheme limits and claim assessment. |
| Securing an incomplete site | May be available in some circumstances, capped at $5,000, subject to eligibility, scheme limits and claim assessment. |
Home Warranty eligibility requirements
From 1 July 2026, Minimum Financial Requirements (MFR) apply to:
- new applicants for domestic builder registration
- existing registered builders as an ongoing obligation and when seeking to increase their Maximum Construction Capacity
Minimum Financial Requirements are used to assess whether a builder has the financial capacity to carry out domestic building work and meet their obligations and to set a Maximum Construction Capacity.
They replace the current Domestic Building Insurance eligibility assessment process.
Need help understanding eligibility and MFR for a Victorian residential building project?
View Home Warranty Resources and WebinarsNotice of Cover and project records
A Notice of Cover confirms details about an eligible Home Warranty project. Builders and homeowners should check that it matches the building contract and keep it with key project records, including the contract, plans and specifications, permits, payment records, agreed variations and relevant correspondence.
HIA Insurance Services DBI Webinar - Introducing Home Warranty Insurance 1 July 2026
Why choose HIA Insurance Services?
HIA Insurance Services combines the construction industry knowledge of the Housing Industry Association with Aon’s insurance and risk expertise. Our team works with builders, trades and subcontractors and can help explain the Home Warranty process, application requirements and next steps for eligible domestic building work in Victoria.
- Support from a team familiar with residential construction
- Help understanding MFR and application information
- Assistance navigating project-specific insurance requirements
- Access to broader business insurance solutions for builders and trades
Home Warranty education and resources
New to residential construction in Victoria or preparing for the Home Warranty scheme? Access HIAIS educational resources and webinars covering how the scheme works, MFR requirements and practical steps for builders.
No. Home Warranty replaced Domestic Building Insurance for new eligible domestic building work under eligible contracts signed on or after 1 July 2026. Existing DBI policies continue under their current terms and do not transfer to Home Warranty.
Home Warranty may apply to eligible domestic building work valued at more than $20,000. Eligibility and exclusions apply.
An existing DBI policy continues under the DBI scheme and its current terms and conditions. It does not transfer to Home Warranty.
For eligible projects, the registered builder is responsible for paying the applicable premium within the required timeframe.
A Notice of Cover is issued to the building owner when BPC accepts payment of the Home Warranty premium. It confirms key details of the insured project.
The maximum amount of assistance available is $400,000 in total per home, subject to eligibility, limits, exclusions and claim assessment.
Major defects may be covered for up to six years after eligible work is completed. Other defects or non-compliant work may be covered for up to two years, subject to eligibility, scheme limits and claim assessment. Claim notification timeframes also apply.
HIAIS can explain the eligibility and application process, discuss the information that may be required and help builders identify next steps for eligible projects.
Our specialist team is available from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday. Call 1800 762 878 or email [email protected].
Speak with a Home Warranty specialist
Preparing for eligible domestic building work in Victoria? Speak with HIA Insurance Services about Home Warranty eligibility, application requirements and next steps.
Speak with a specialistImportant information
Home Warranty is provided by the Building and Plumbing Commission on behalf of the Victorian Government. If you purchase or arrange insurance through HIAIS, HIAIS may receive a commission that is a percentage of the premium. Further information is available in the HIAIS Financial Services Guide or on request.