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The Building Commission
This decision to establish a Building Commission in Western Australia builds on successful models in Victoria and Queensland that are statutory authorities funded by industry, through registration fees and levies. This model enables enforcement functions to be carried out at arm's length from government, and avoids conflicts of interest between government as a regulator and government as a participant in the industry through building construction and ownership.
The Building Commission will initially group the current functions of the former Department of Housing and Works' Building Industry Development directorate, the Builders Registration Board, the Painters Registration Board and the Plumbers' Licensing Board with other entities able to be included at a later stage. The Building Commission will also establish strong links other divisions in the Department of Commerce to ensure community, consumer and industry interests are well supported.
The Building Commission will be both a standard setter and regulator. New legislation will make the Building Commission a distinct legal entity with designated functions including registration and licensing, policy advice, standards setting, dispute resolution, consumer advocacy and industry capacity building.