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Dwellix

Internal structural alterations in Melbourne and regional Victoria

Internal structural alterations change the parts of your home that hold it up, such as a load-bearing wall. In Victoria, this work needs a building permit and must be done by a registered builder, whatever the cost. Dwellix, a builder registered with the Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC), carries out internal structural alterations for homeowners in Melbourne, Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo.

Key facts

  • Building permit: work that affects structural soundness or supporting elements falls outside the permit exemptions. (Building Regulations 2018)
  • Registered builder: structural work needs one, whatever the cost. (Consumer Affairs Victoria)
  • Heritage: internal alterations need a planning permit only where the overlay schedule applies internal controls. (Victoria Planning Provisions)
  • Home Warranty: BPC statutory insurance for eligible work over $20,000 under contracts signed from 1 July 2026, subject to eligibility, limits and exclusions. (Building and Plumbing Commission)
  • Asbestos: homes built before 1990 may contain asbestos. (WorkSafe Victoria)

Checked 8 October 2026.

What counts as a structural alteration?

Work that affects your home’s structural soundness, or removes or alters an element that supports other parts of the building. Removing or altering a load-bearing wall is one example. Work that changes the floor area or height, or involves underpinning or replacing footings, also falls outside the building permit exemptions.

Structural alterations can be part of a layout change, such as opening the kitchen to the living area: see wall removal. Work under the floor is covered on our restumping page.

Source: Building Regulations 2018, Schedule 3. Checked 8 October 2026.

Do structural alterations need a building permit?

Yes. Building work needs a building permit unless the Building Regulations 2018 exempt it, and the exemptions don’t cover structural work. As the owner, you must make sure a permit is in force, and any planning permit must be issued first. Our building permits guide explains the conditions.

Structural work must also be done by a registered builder, whatever the cost. The BPC advises checking a builder’s registration, status and conditions on its public register before you sign; Dwellix Pty Ltd’s registration is CDB-U 102264.

If your project needs a building permit, we handle the permit process for you. You formally appoint the building surveyor, and we can recommend one and manage everything with them. Where structural design is needed, we coordinate a suitably qualified external engineer. Engineering scope, costs and responsibilities are confirmed for each project.

Sources: Building Act 1993; Building Regulations 2018; Consumer Affairs Victoria; Building and Plumbing Commission. Checked 8 October 2026.

What if your home is in a Heritage Overlay?

Check the overlay schedule. Internal alterations need a planning permit only where it applies internal alteration controls to your property. Outside work may also need a planning permit; check with your council.

Source: Victoria Planning Provisions, clause 43.01. Checked 8 October 2026.

Could the work disturb asbestos?

It may, particularly in a home built before 1990. WorkSafe Victoria says asbestos-containing materials are very common in buildings built before 1990, including in walls, splashbacks and vinyl flooring. Only laboratory testing confirms asbestos.

We engage licensed asbestos removalists where required.

Source: WorkSafe Victoria. Checked 8 October 2026.

Structural alterations in an apartment

Your owners corporation is involved. Tell your owners corporation and check its rules before you plan anything: see Melbourne CBD.

Source: Consumer Affairs Victoria. Checked 8 October 2026.

How a Dwellix renovation runs

  1. Initial enquiry and consultation.
  2. Site inspection and assessment.
  3. Detailed scope preparation.
  4. Quotation and client approval.
  5. Contracts, approvals and permits where required. Structural alterations need a building permit. We handle the permit process for you. You formally appoint the building surveyor, and we can recommend one and manage everything with them. We coordinate any engineering design required.
  6. Trade scheduling and procurement.
  7. Construction and project supervision.
  8. Relevant inspections and quality checks.
  9. Practical completion and handover. You receive the keys, the compliance certificates for any plumbing and electrical work, the certificate of final inspection where the work has a building permit, and the manufacturer warranties and manuals for what we install.

Frequently asked questions

What are structural alterations?

Work that affects a building’s structural soundness, or removes or alters an element that supports other parts of the building, such as a load-bearing wall. In Victoria, this work falls outside the building permit exemptions in the Building Regulations 2018, so it needs a building permit, and it must be done by a registered builder whatever the cost.

Who can carry out structural alterations?

A builder registered with the Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC). Structural work needs a registered builder whatever the cost. Before you sign, check the builder’s registration, status and any conditions on the BPC’s public register. Dwellix Pty Ltd’s registration is CDB-U 102264.

Do I need a structural engineer to remove a wall?

It depends on the wall and on what your building surveyor requires. Where structural design is needed, we coordinate a suitably qualified external engineer. Engineering scope, costs and responsibilities are confirmed for each project. Removing or altering a load-bearing wall needs a building permit and a registered builder, so have the work assessed before you settle on a new layout.

Is structural work covered by Home Warranty?

For contracts signed on or after 1 July 2026, Home Warranty applies to eligible domestic building work valued at more than $20,000, including alterations. It’s BPC statutory insurance, subject to eligibility, limits and exclusions, not a Dwellix product.

Enquire about your alterations

Enquire and we’ll talk through what your alterations involve. We quote after a site inspection and a detailed scope, so the price reflects your home. Prefer email? Write to sales@dwellix.com.au.

General information only, checked 8 October 2026. Rules change; confirm requirements for your property with your building surveyor or council.