Liquidated Builders Customer Support Payment Scheme

Applications for the Liquidated Builders Customer Support Payment Scheme are now open.

Customers of Eligible Liquidated Builders as assessed by the Victorian Government and who have gone into liquidation between 1 July 2022 and 30 June 2023, are invited to apply.

Additionally, customers of Porter Davis Homes who made a tender-stage payment that includes plans and specifications of a value of up to 5% of the New Home Contract Price and who were not eligible for the Porter Davis Homes Customer Support Payment Scheme can also apply.

Eligible applicants must have:

• signed an eligible Domestic Building Contract or Agreement for the building works for your new residential home in Victoria that includes payment for plans and specifications with an Eligible Liquidated Builder (as assessed by the Victorian Government) who went into liquidation between 1 July 2022 and 30 June 2023 (note: for Porter Davis customers, this does not include Englehart Homes);
• paid to the Eligible Liquidated Builder an amount of 5% or less of the New Home Contract Price under your Domestic Building Contract or Agreement at the time you signed the contract/agreement but had no Domestic Building Insurance in relation to that amount paid; and
• had no building permit issued in relation to your Domestic Building Contract or Agreement.

This scheme is being administered by the Department of Government Services (DGS).

Liquidated builders continue to be assessed and added to the list of ‘Eligible Liquidated Builders’ on an ongoing basis by the Victorian Government.

Verification relies on access to data from the builders’ liquidators, and the Government is working on accessing and verifying this information as quickly as possible.

If your builder is not on the Eligible Liquidated Builders list, please register your interest in the scheme and you will be notified if the relevant builder is added to the list.

How the support payment works

To receive a support payment, eligible customers need to complete an online application form and submit the necessary documents. DGS will assess all applications and inform customers of the outcome.

Once deemed eligible, customers must fill out an additional form agreeing to the terms and conditions of the support payment. These conditions include transferring your rights under the building contract with your nominated liquidated builder to the State of Victoria before receiving the support payment.

This means that you cannot claim for the recovery of the amount you paid under your Domestic Building Contract or Agreement through the liquidation process to the extent that you have received a support payment through this scheme to cover your loss. Customers are encouraged to seek further legal advice prior to applying for this scheme.

The support payments may cover an amount up to 5% of the New Home Contract Price and will be subject to a cap of $50,000.

Eligibility

To qualify for the scheme you must be a customer of an Eligible Liquidated Builder who does not have domestic building insurance and you:

• signed an eligible Domestic Building Contract or Agreement for the building works for your new residential home in Victoria that includes payment for plans and specifications with an Eligible Liquidated Builder (as assessed by the Victorian Government) who went into liquidation between 1 July 2022 and 30 June 2023 (note: for Porter Davis customers, this does not include Englehart Homes)
• paid to the Eligible Liquidated Builder an amount of 5 per cent or less of the New Home Contract Price under your Domestic Building Contract or Agreement at the time you signed the contract/agreement but had no Domestic Building Insurance in relation to that amount paid; and
• had no building permit issued in relation to your Domestic Building Contract or Agreement.

Supporting documents

You must provide copies of the following documents to support your application:

• a signed Domestic Building Contract or Agreement with your nominated Eligible Liquidated Builder (see the list of Eligible Liquidated Builders approved by the Victorian Government).
  If you are unsure if the documents from your nominated Eligible Liquidated Builder meet the criteria of a signed Domestic Building Contract or Agreement, provide all relevant agreements you signed with your Eligible Liquidated Builder.
• a final statement or progress statement from your nominated Eligible Liquidated Builder (showing amount(s) paid which may have been in instalments) under your Domestic Building Contract or Agreement, clearly showing that the full amount required to be paid under the Domestic Building Contract or Agreement has been paid.
  If you do not have a final statement, official receipts from your Eligible Liquidated Builder showing evidence of payment of your deposit may be accepted. Invoices and bank transaction statements will not be accepted.

If you do not have a final statement, official receipts from your Eligible Liquidated Builder showing evidence of payment of your deposit may be accepted. Invoices and bank transaction statements will not be accepted.

Application process

Applications opened on 28 July 2023 and will close at 4pm on 29 January 2024. The application process is outlined below:

Step 1 – Application submitted

Step 2 – Application assessed (more information requested, if required)

Step 3 – Outcome notification. In general, most applications are processed within a few weeks. However, depending on the complexity of your application, it may take up to a maximum of 90 days from the time all the required documents are received

Step 4 – Terms and conditions form signed by customer and bank details submitted for payment. Where multiple owners are involved, co-signatories to the contract are given up to 10 days to either support or challenge the application process

Step 5 – Payment made

Application guidelines

Before applying for the Liquidated Builders Customer Support Payment Scheme, please read the Funding Guidelines and Frequently asked questions.

More information

A dedicated information line has been established if you need more information – 1300 579 089 (available 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays).

If you need an interpreter, you can call 131 450.