A practical overview for owners and managers of offices, shops, factories and warehouses.
Commercial property obligations come from several sources: building and fire safety requirements, workplace safety law, planning approvals, the lease and rules specific to the activities on site. The applicable requirements depend on the property and how it is used.
General information for Victoria · Reviewed 17 October 2026
First establish the approved use, building classification, relevant permits, installed systems and who manages or controls each part of the premises. Residential minimum standards and residential inspection intervals should not be treated as a universal commercial regime.
The following areas provide a starting point for a property-specific review. They are not an exhaustive technical assessment or a declaration that a building complies.
Check that the business use and proposed works align with planning controls, permit conditions and the building’s approved use. Review available occupancy documents, approved plans and fit-out approvals. A change of use or alterations may require further approval.
Records to review: planning permits, endorsed plans, building approvals and occupancy documents where applicable.
Planning Victoria: permits and use ↗Owners must maintain the essential safety measures applicable to their building. These may include fire detection, extinguishers, emergency lighting, exit signs, fire doors and other systems. Owners must prepare an annual essential safety measures report and retain maintenance evidence. Servicing frequencies depend on the applicable requirements; the annual report does not replace individual checks.
Records to review: the building’s maintenance schedule or determination, service records, defect reports and annual report.
Building and Plumbing Commission: ESM ↗People who manage or control a workplace have duties for the matters within their control, including safe entry and exit. Relevant issues can include structural condition, weather protection, flooring, stairs, handrails, doors and windows. Exits and paths of travel must remain accessible and clear.
Records to review: condition reports, identified hazards, specialist findings and completed repairs.
WorkSafe: workplace safety duties ↗Electrical risks must be managed through suitable inspection, maintenance and safe work practices. Fixed installations and portable equipment need separate consideration. Equipment testing intervals depend on its type, environment and use; one universal two-year commercial timetable should not be assumed.
Records to review: electrician’s findings, relevant electrical work certificates, equipment test records and outstanding defects.
WorkSafe: electrical safety ↗Identify the gas appliances and installation type, obtain servicing evidence and confirm the appropriate servicing requirements with a qualified gasfitter. Type A gas appliance servicing in Victoria must follow AS 4575 and the applicable record requirements. Specialised commercial installations may need additional approvals.
Records to review: appliance details, servicing records, relevant installation approvals and rectification evidence.
Building and Plumbing Commission: gas servicing ↗Facilities must be suitable for the workforce and activities. Consider toilets, washing facilities, drinking water, lighting, ventilation and other welfare needs. Employer duties and the owner’s or manager’s control over the building must both be considered.
Records to review: facilities assessments, maintenance records and identified workplace risks.
WorkSafe: workplace facilities guidance ↗Where the workplace asbestos duties apply, identify asbestos or assumed asbestos, maintain the required register and manage exposure risks. The register must be reviewed following relevant changes and at least every five years. Relevant information must be accessible to employees and contractors who may encounter asbestos.
Records to review: asbestos assessment and register, risk controls and information provided before works.
WorkSafe: managing workplace asbestos ↗Access obligations depend on the premises and circumstances. Building approval for new work or upgrades can trigger the Premises Standards. Existing premises may also have obligations under disability discrimination law. Seek specialist advice about entrances, paths of travel and facilities where needed.
Records to review: access assessments, approved plans and relevant building approval conditions.
Australian Human Rights Commission: access ↗The building and tenant’s activities can introduce additional requirements. For example, cooling tower systems require registration, a risk management plan and annual independent auditing. Other equipment, food operations or hazardous activities need their own assessment of applicable rules.
Records to review: an inventory of relevant systems, registrations, specialist reports and maintenance schedules.
Department of Health: cooling towers ↗Certain office sales, leases and subleases require a current registered Building Energy Efficiency Certificate before advertising or offering the space. The scheme generally concerns office areas of 1,000 m² or more, with further eligibility criteria and exemptions. It is not a universal requirement for every shop or factory.
Records to review: a determination of applicability and, where required, the current certificate or exemption.
Commercial Building Disclosure: affected buildings ↗Responsibility for carrying out work, liability under legislation and recovery of costs are separate questions. Review the lease alongside the applicable law and the parts of the property each party controls.
Record the responsibilities for the individual premises and any common property. Obtain building-wide records from the owners corporation where relevant, and confirm whether they cover the tenancy or leave gaps requiring further review.
Where the Retail Leases Act 2003 applies, section 52 sets landlord repair and maintenance obligations, subject to exceptions. Statutory requirements override inconsistent lease provisions. ESM cost recovery depends on the lease and required disclosure arrangements.
VSBC: repairs and maintenance ↗This is a suggested records structure. The documents and retention requirements must be determined for the particular property.
This overview does not certify compliance, provide a technical inspection or replace legal advice, a building surveyor’s assessment or qualified trade certification. Requirements and responsibility depend on the building, its use, approvals and circumstances. Check the linked official guidance and obtain the relevant professional advice.
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Information on this website is provided in good faith for general information and guidance. While reasonable care is taken in its preparation, it may not be complete, conclusive, current or applicable to your circumstances. Laws, standards and regulatory guidance can change, and requirements vary with the property, its use, approvals and local council.
Do not rely exclusively on this website when making decisions. Make your own enquiries, check current official sources and obtain independent advice from appropriately qualified legal, building, fire-safety, trade or other professionals relevant to your property. Website summaries, checklists and tools are not a substitute for a property-specific assessment, required approvals or specialist certification, and do not establish or guarantee compliance.
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