The rules exist.
The awareness doesn't.

I work in building compliance. Currently, I’m researching how Lean Manufacturing principles—the kind I applied in the automotive sector—can be meaningfully translated into the construction supply chain. But my research keeps hitting the same roadblock: The industry isn't held back by a lack of legislation. It’s held back by a misunderstanding of the rules that already exist.

The Revenue Myth

One of the biggest myths I hear weekly? "The Council just wants money." When an owner receives a Building Notice or Order, the reaction is almost always: "The government is just revenue raising." It’s not true. Enforcement is not a profit center.

The primary interest of the Council is life safety and compliance. It is worth noting where the money actually goes: the fees for building surveyors, engineers, and architects go to those private practitioners to resolve the issues, not to the Council treasury. There is no financial upside for the authority to issue a notice.

The "Retrospective" Reality

In Victoria, there is no such thing as a retrospective building permit. The Building Act simply doesn't allow it. What actually happens is a "regularisation" process. It involves assessing what has been built, checking it against current codes, and often costly rectifications.

"I often hear that design or permit fees are ‘too expensive.’ But saving $5k upfront can easily turn into a $50k liability at the point of sale."

I recently encountered a case where an owner skipped the permit because the Architect's fees were "too high." They didn't realise that "regularisation" isn't a product you can just buy—the law doesn't allow for a pay-to-play shortcut. If it's not to code, no amount of money can magically make it compliant.

Conclusion

The knowledge gap isn't unique to owners. From commercial practitioners to unlicensed operators, the details of how a building notice is triggered aren't universally understood. Everyone knows speeding leads to a fine. Not everyone knows that adding a room or converting a garage without a permit creates a liability that never truly goes away.

Note: This post was originally published on LinkedIn on 2026-04-28.