General guidance only. Bushfire controls are set by the Victoria Planning Provisions, your council and the CFA. Always confirm your parcel on VicPlan and your overlay and BAL with your council before you design or sign.
Bushfire building guides for Victoria
Understanding BAL ratings in Victoria
BAL-LOW to BAL-FZ explained, and how the rating is assigned to your block.
Read guideBuilding in a Bushfire Management Overlay (BMO)
The CFA-referred planning permit, defendable space and the path to a building permit.
Read guideBuilding to AS 3959 in Victoria
What each BAL level means for walls, roof, windows, decking and services.
Read guideVetted Victorian builders for BAL-rated homes
Listed by presence, never ranked. Request a private match for BAL-29 and above.
Bushfire building in Victoria: common questions
Any VBA-registered builder can build to AS 3959, but a bushfire-capable builder does higher-BAL work regularly: they detail ember-proof junctions correctly, specify certified rated windows and cladding, and understand the Bushfire Management Overlay planning conditions and defendable space that sit on your title.
Building elsewhere in Victoria? See the Melbourne building guides and Geelong & Surf Coast guides.
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