Wall removal and layout reconfiguration in Melbourne and regional Victoria

Do you need a permit to remove a wall in Victoria? If the wall is load-bearing, yes: removing or altering it needs a building permit and a registered builder, whatever the cost. If it isn’t, your building surveyor assesses the work and confirms whether it is exempt. Dwellix removes walls and reconfigures layouts for homeowners in Melbourne, Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo.

Key facts

Load-bearing walls: removing or altering one needs a building permit and a registered builder, whatever the cost. (Consumer Affairs Victoria)

Other walls: your building surveyor confirms whether the work is exempt. (Building and Plumbing Commission)

Wiring and pipes: relocated by licensed electricians and plumbers, who issue the certificates the work requires. (Energy Safe Victoria; Building and Plumbing Commission)

Asbestos: homes built before 1990 may contain asbestos, including in walls. (WorkSafe Victoria)

Checked 8 October 2026.

Do I need a permit to remove a wall in Victoria?

It depends on what the wall does.

Load-bearing walls. Removing or altering a load-bearing wall needs a building permit. The exemptions in Schedule 3 of the Building Regulations 2018 don’t cover work that affects structural soundness, or that removes or alters an element supporting other parts of the building. The work must also be done by a registered builder, whatever the cost, and as the owner you must make sure a permit is in force. Dwellix Pty Ltd’s registration is CDB-U 102264.

Walls that aren’t load-bearing. Don’t assume a permit isn’t needed. Your building surveyor assesses the work and confirms whether it is exempt. In a kitchen, bathroom or laundry renovation, moving walls can also change whether the rest of the job needs a permit.

In a Heritage Overlay, internal alterations need a planning permit only where the overlay schedule applies internal alteration controls. Our building permits guide sets out every condition.

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; Victoria Planning Provisions, clause 43.01. Checked 8 October 2026.

What happens to wiring and pipes in the wall?

If the wall carries wiring or plumbing, relocating it is work for licensed trades, who issue the certificates the work requires.

Sources: Energy Safe Victoria; Building and Plumbing Commission. Checked 8 October 2026.

Could the wall contain asbestos?

It may, particularly if your home was built before 1990. WorkSafe Victoria says asbestos-containing materials are very common in buildings built before 1990, and lists walls, splashbacks and vinyl flooring among common locations. Only laboratory testing confirms asbestos.

We engage licensed asbestos removalists where required.

Source: WorkSafe Victoria. Checked 8 October 2026.

Planning an open-plan kitchen and living area

To open a kitchen to the living area, plan the wall and the kitchen together. If the wall is load-bearing, the work needs a building permit. If the sink, cooktop or power points move, licensed plumbers and electricians do that work and issue the certificates it requires. Once the wall is out, the floor, ceiling and walls where it stood need making good.

For the kitchen itself, see kitchen renovations. For a wider refresh of walls, ceilings and floors, see property refurbishments.

Removing a wall in an apartment

Check your owners corporation rules first, and tell your owners corporation before you plan the work. See Melbourne CBD.

Source: Consumer Affairs Victoria. Checked 8 October 2026.

What affects the scope of a wall removal?

whether the wall is load-bearing, and any structural design your building surveyor requires;
the permit and any owners corporation approval;
wiring, plumbing or gas in the wall that needs relocating;
asbestos testing or licensed removal in a home built before 1990;
making good the floor, ceiling and walls, and any kitchen or layout work done at the same time.

We quote after a site inspection and a detailed scope, so the price reflects your home.

How a Dwellix renovation runs

Initial enquiry and consultation.
Site inspection and assessment.
Detailed scope preparation.
Quotation and client approval.
Contracts, approvals and permits where required. If the wall is load-bearing, a building permit is needed. 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 the engineer’s design.
Trade scheduling and procurement.
Construction and project supervision.
Relevant inspections and quality checks.
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

Can you remove a load-bearing wall in Victoria?

Yes, with a building permit and a registered builder. Removing or altering a load-bearing wall is structural work, so it falls outside the building permit exemptions in the Building Regulations 2018 and must be done by a registered builder whatever the cost. Where structural design is needed, we coordinate a suitably qualified external engineer. Engineering scope, costs and responsibilities are confirmed for each project.

How much does load-bearing wall removal cost in Melbourne?

We don’t publish a set price, because the scope varies from home to home. It depends on what the wall supports, any structural design your building surveyor requires, services in the wall, asbestos testing or removal in an older home, approvals, and making good afterwards. We quote after a site inspection and a detailed scope, so the price reflects your home.

How do I know if a wall is load-bearing?

Have it assessed before you plan the work. We check the wall on site as part of our inspection, and your building surveyor confirms whether the work needs a permit. Where structural design is required, it’s prepared before work starts.

Do I need a permit to remove a wall that isn’t load-bearing?

Possibly. Your building surveyor assesses the work and confirms whether it is exempt from a building permit. In a kitchen, bathroom or laundry renovation, moving walls can change whether the job needs a permit, so ask before you settle the layout.

Can I remove a wall in my apartment?

Only after checking with your owners corporation. A load-bearing wall also needs a building permit and a registered builder.

Enquire about removing a wall

Enquire and we’ll talk through your layout. 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.