Application for a
plumbing modification
Building Act 1993 – Section 221ZZ0
Email: customerservice@vba.vic.gov.au
Address: GPO Box 536, Melbourne VIC 3001
Phone: 1300 815 127
1. Applicant Details
First Name:
Surname:
Postal Address:
Suburb:
Postcode: __________ State: ________
Contact Phone: _____________________________
Email:
Please indicate which of the following best describes who you are:
Applications are restricted to those listed below
The owner / occupier of a building or land
A licensed or registered plumbing practitioner
A plumbing inspector or compliance auditor
A public authority representative
A department head within the meaning of the
Public Administration Act 2004
2. Payee Details
As above
First Name:
Surname:
Postal Address:
Suburb:
Postcode: __________ State: ________
Contact Phone:_____________________________
Please complete payee details if different to applicant.
3. Plumbing Practitioner Details
As above
First Name:
Surname:
Contact Phone: _____________________________
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4. Building Practitioner Details
First Name:
Surname:
Contact Phone: _____________________________
5. Site Details
Address:
Suburb:
Postcode: __________ State: ________
Please specify the code or standard to which you cannot comply: Example: AS/NZS 3500.2:2015 Plumbing and
Drainage Part 2: Sanitary plumbing and drainage Section 3 Clause 3.2
Please provide a brief overview of the site (include details such as the alignment of the proposed property
service drain / combined drain or any other relevant details):
Please provide a brief overview of why the plumbing work cannot comply with the codes / standards:
Please provide a brief overview of how you intend to eliminate any risk the modification may pose:
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6. Payment Details
The fee payable for a modification to the Plumbing Regulations is: $109.21
Payment by Cheque or Money Order
Cheques should be made payable to Victorian Building Authority - Plumbing Account
I have attached a cheque or money order to this Tax Invoice
Payment by Credit Card
Credit Card Number:
-
-
-
Cardholders Name:
Type of Card:
Visa
MasterCard
Expiry Date: _______ / _______
Signature: _________________________________________ Date: _______ / _______ / _______
7. Declaration
I have attached a copy of all relevant supporting documentation including design plans and calculations
where required.
I have attached a copy of a site plan showing the existing and any new building / buildings and the
alignment of any proposed below ground sanitary drain alterations.
I have attached a copy of the existing property sewerage plan.
I have drafted my proposal for the existing drain to remain or to be relayed in an approved material and
any subsequent inspection shafts to be installed.
I have attached a copy of the relevant water authority Conditions of Connection.
All information in this application is true and accurate and I understand any false or misleading
information will invalidate the application.
Signature: _________________________________________ Date: _______ / _______ / _______
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Modification Application - Frequently Asked Questions
1) What happens when I cannot install plumbing work to comply with prescribed codes and
standards?
You can apply to the VBA for a modification of the codes and standards pursuant to Section
221ZZO of the Building Act (included at the end of this document).
2) Who can apply for a modification?
The owner or occupier of a building or land; a licensed or registered plumber; a plumbing
inspector or a compliance auditor, a department head within the meaning of the Public
Administration Act 2004.
3) How do I apply for a modification?
You must complete the Modification Application Form and provide any supporting
documentation, including site / building / design plans, and where the modification request
relates to below ground sanitary drainage work a copy of the existing property sewerage plan,
relevant water authority Conditions of Connection and a sketch of any proposed sanitary
drain alterations.
To ensure your application is received and processed expediently the completed application
form, together with all relevant supporting documentation should be lodged with the VBA –
by email to customerservice@vba.vic.gov.au but can if necessary be posted to PO Box 536
Melbourne 3001. The application will be processed on payment of the $109.21 fee.
4) What will happen once I make application for a modification?
The VBA will assess, and either approve or reject a modification application. If the application
is approved, the VBA will mail the approval to you. If the application is declined, the VBA will
contact the applicant to discuss and / or to obtain further information.
5) How long does the modification approval process, take?
The process may take up to10 working days from receipt of application or 10 working days
from receipt of any further information if requested.
6) What happens if your plumbing work to which there was a modification approved; is
selected for audit?
You should advise the VBA Booking Officer at the time of booking the audit. You will need to
take to the audit – a copy of the plumbing modification approval letter.
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Building Act 1993, Section 221ZZO - Modification of plumbing regulations
1) The Authority may declare that a provision of the plumbing regulations does not apply, or
applies with specified variations, to specified plumbing work.
2) A declaration under this section overrides the plumbing regulations and must be given effect
to with respect to the specified plumbing work as if those regulations had been amended to
accord with the declaration.
3) An application for a declaration may be made by a. the owner or occupier of a building or land;
b. a licensed or registered plumber;
c. a plumbing inspector or compliance auditor;
d. a Department Head within the meaning of the Public Administration Act 2004;
e. a public authority.
4) The person applying for the declaration must a. identify the plumbing work for which the application is being made;
b. specify in what way the person would like the plumbing regulations modified with
respect to that work.
5) An application for a declaration must be accompanied by the fee set out in the regulations.
6) For the purposes of this Part, any plumbing work that is the subject of a declaration complies
with the plumbing regulations if it complies with those regulations as modified by the
declaration.
Building Act 1993, section 221ZZP - Matters Authority must consider before making a modification
declaration
1) The Authority may only declare that a provision of the plumbing regulations does not apply to
specified plumbing work if it is satisfied that the provision is inappropriate in the particular
circumstances.
2) The Authority may only declare that a provision of the plumbing regulations applies with the
variations specified by the Authority to specified plumbing work if it is satisfied that it is
reasonable to do so and is not detrimental to the public interest.
3) In making a declaration under section 221ZZO, the Authority may impose any conditions that it
thinks appropriate in relation to how the declaration is to be given effect to.
Building Act 1993, Section 221ZZQ - Procedure applying to hearings under this Part
1) Subject to anything to the contrary in this Part, clauses 12, 15, 16, 17, 18(1) and 19 of Schedule
3 apply to the hearing of a dispute under section 221ZZN or of an application under section
221ZZO as if a reference in those clauses to—
a. the Building Appeals Board was a reference to the Victorian Building Authority; and;
b. a determination was a reference to a declaration.
2) For the purposes of this Division, section 221ZZZO applies as if a reference in that section to a
disciplinary hearing was a reference to the hearing of a dispute under section 221ZZN or of an
application under section 221ZZO.
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