Building and development tribunals provide an accessible, affordable and timely appeal service for members of the public not satisfied with building decisions provided by local government and private certifiers.

Tribunals are established to hear appeals against decisions by local government and private certifiers about such matters as siting requirements, inspections of building work, swimming pool fencing, fire safety and plumbing and drainage.

Tribunals are established on a needs basis and are convened and conducted in an information context. No legal representation is permitted at tribunal hearings and decisions are delivered in plain English. They are made from a pool of 66 appointed general referees on a ‘when and as required’ basis. There are no permanent appointments to tribunals.

A tribunal has jurisdiction to decide defined matters which relate to the:

• Integrated Planning Act 1997
• Building Act 1975 (other than a matter under that Act that may or must be decided by the Building Services Authority)
• Plumbing and Drainage Act 2002 [IPA 4.2.7 (2) (a)]
• Residential Services (Accreditation) Act 2002
• matters prescribed under a regulation [IPA 4.2.7 (2) (b)] [Integrated Planning Regulation 1998 (section 9)].