In 2023 the Legislative Assembly Environment and Planning Committee conducted an Inquiry Employers and contractors who refuse to pay their subcontractors for completed works.

The Committee received 26 submissions and held public hearings as part of its inquiry.

On 18 November 2023, the Committee released its report which urged reform of Victoria’s security of payment law to help ensure subcontractors are paid for the work they finish. The report contained 28 recommendations for the State Government to consider.

A copy of the report can be downloaded here.

On 10 September 2025, the Building Legislation Amendment (Fairer Payments on Jobsites and Other Matters) Bill 2025 was introduced in the Legislative Assembly (First Reading). The key elements of the Bill make changes to the Security of Payment Act giving effect to the recommendations that were supported in full (the Tranche 1 reforms).

The Bill passed both houses on 30 October 2025 and received Royal Assent on 13 November 2025.

A copy of the Act can be downloaded here.

The Government’s Response to the Committee’s report was tabled in Parliament on 17 October 2024. Sixteen of the Committee’s recommendations are supported in full; the rest of the Committee’s recommendations are supported either in principle or part. None were unsupported.

A copy of the Government’s Response to the Committee’s report can be downloaded here.