Private Certifiers in Melbourne (Private Building Surveyors)
In Victoria, the person who "certifies" your build is the building surveyor. You can appoint a private building surveyor instead of the council's, and they issue your building permit and sign off each stage. Here is how it works.
VIC term
Building surveyor
"certifier" = surveyor here
Your RBS
Relevant BS
issues the permit
Private or
Council
you choose who to appoint
Registration
VBA
required to practise
What "private certifier" means in Victoria
In some states the role is called a private certifier. In Victoria the equivalent is the private building surveyor, and the one appointed to your job is your Relevant Building Surveyor (RBS). You can appoint a private building surveyor rather than rely on the municipal (council) building surveyor.
The RBS assesses your documentation, issues the building permit, carries out or arranges the mandatory inspections at key stages, and issues the occupancy permit or certificate of final inspection at the end. They are the independent check that your build complies with the building code.
How appointment works
On most project and custom builds the builder nominates a private building surveyor, but the appointment is made on your behalf and you should know who they are. The RBS must act independently; they certify compliance, they are not the builder's advocate.
A private building surveyor generally gives faster, more responsive service than a busy council team, which is why they are used on the majority of Melbourne new homes. Their permit and inspection regime is the same either way.
Choosing and checking one
Every building surveyor must be registered with the Victorian Building Authority; confirm registration and professional indemnity insurance. Check they are experienced with your build type and responsive, because permit and inspection delays stall the whole program.
Note the RBS is not a substitute for your own private building inspector if you want extra independent checks during construction. BuildPilot does not provide certification; we help you find a registered building surveyor.
Official Victorian sources referenced
In this episode, we explain the role of a building surveyor in your new home build, when they get involved, and whether they truly operate independently. We also discuss if you can appoint your own surveyor, why most buyers don’t, and the potential benefits of making your own choice.
Watch full episodeFrequently asked
Is there a "private certifier" in Victoria?+
The role exists but under a different name. In Victoria it is the private building surveyor, and the one on your job is your Relevant Building Surveyor (RBS). You can appoint a private building surveyor instead of the council's.
What does the building surveyor do?+
They assess your plans, issue the building permit, carry out or arrange the mandatory stage inspections, and issue the occupancy permit or certificate of final inspection. They independently certify the build complies with the building code.
Who appoints the building surveyor?+
Often the builder nominates one, but the appointment is on your behalf, so you should know who your RBS is. They must act independently and certify compliance rather than represent the builder.
Do building surveyors have to be registered?+
Yes. Building surveyors must be registered with the Victorian Building Authority. Confirm registration and professional indemnity insurance, and check they are experienced with your build type and responsive.
Note: the stories below are Adelaide-based clients - the underlying builder-matching process is identical for Melbourne buyers.
How our process runs - real client stories
Federuzzi Development
Two double-garage homes squeezed onto an odd-shaped subdivision block in Ingle Farm, with the equity earmarked to fund the next development.
Read the case studySterai Residence
A practical, well-planned knockdown rebuild on a tricky triangular block in Ingle Farm.
Read the case studyBuilding in Adelaide instead?
See our Adelaide private certifiers guideCompare the options
The material and system choices that move your Melbourne build budget most, weighed up in plain English for Victoria.
Sources
Last verified June 2026- Victorian Building Authority, building surveyors link
- Consumer Affairs Victoria, building permits link
Cost ranges are planning estimates cross-checked against the sources above, not quotes. Prices move with materials, labour, site conditions and council rules. Always confirm against a written, fixed-price quote for your own block.