Addressing critical Issues in the Victorian Building Sector: RICS to be recognised

Countries around the world are experiencing critical shortages in housing, driving up prices and creating significant challenges in terms of affordability and availability of social housing.

In Australia the issue is front of mind for policy makers at all levels of government. Substantial government funding is being allocated to address the housing shortfall with a national target of building 1.2 million new homes over five years from 1 July 2024 being set by the federal government.

Moving towards higher density cities

Key government research issued by Infrastructure Victoria in 2023 has identified a substantial additional cost saving of $43 billion for the social and economic infrastructure needed to support green field developments as opposed to focusing instead on increasing housing density in existing urban areas. These findings have resulted in the Victorian government encouraging developments around existing major transport hubs such as Metro Tunnels called Activity Centres with 50 recently being announced.

However with an estimated 800,000 homes needing to be built in Victoria the construction sector is struggling with capacity issues including skilled and unskilled labour shortages. In particular the housing construction boom has highlighted a critical shortage of building control surveyors (referred to as building surveyors in Victoria) as well as quantity surveyors and construction project managers.

Ensuring consumers are protected

Amongst all this there is a strong understanding that the success of this work now and over the decades ahead ultimately rests on the quality of the housing being delivered to consumers. This is particularly important given some of the high profile issues that have been experienced in Australia in the last decade.

The Victorian Building Authority, lead by its Chief Executive Officer, Anna Cronin has the important task of overseeing the Victorian building industry and protecting consumers as well as acting to address key issues such as encouraging suitably qualified professionals into the sector.

Recognising RICS Chartered Building Surveyors and the important role they play

With this in mind, the Authority has introduced new streamlined processes for the registration of building surveyors that for the first time recognises RICS Chartered Building Control Surveyors credentials as part of the registration process in all but the most exceptional of circumstances so long as they meet all other requirements including meeting a fit and proper person test.

These changes have been made in response to the high standards that Chartered Surveyors must meet before becoming Members or Fellows and their ongoing commitment to high ethical and professional standards and continuous learning.

“This exciting revamp follows a lot of great work between RICS and the VBA, and significantly enhances our licensing and registration scheme for building surveyors," said Anna Cronin.

"The origin of this dates back to the Expert Panel Stage 1 Report as part of the Building System Review, where the expert panel recognised the important role of RICS in the building surveying profession.”

RICS is delighted to have had the opportunity to work with the Authority on this critically important issue which is so critical to the well being of so many, consistent with our public interest objectives.

“Chartered surveyors have always played a critical role in supporting key societal goals including one of the most important human needs – having a safe home,” adds Kevin Brogan FRICS, RICS Asia Pacific World Regional Board member.

“It’s wonderful to see RICS Chartered Building Control Surveyors being recognised in this way. It’s a testament to the high professional standards that RICS represents and I encourage our members to investigate the opportunities in Victoria to meet this particular need.”