Building and Construction

Significant changes to the unfair contract terms (UCT) regime in the Australian Consumer Law commenced on 9 November 2023. Almost all Australian businesses are affected by the UCT regime and should review their standard form consumer contracts and small business contracts to ensure they do not include any 'unfair contract terms'. Legal practitioners providing contractual advice are expected to be aware of and understand the changes to advise their clients. Failing to do so may result in severe consequences for clients (including substantial penalties) and expose practitioners to professional negligence claims.

The new Windfall Gains Tax (WGT) introduced by the Windfall Gains Tax and State Taxation and Other Acts Further Amendment Act 2021 commences on 1 July 2023.

In broad terms, WGT applies to land rezoned after 1 July 2023.

Practitioners need to be across the issues now, particularly if negotiating long term sale contracts, or options, that will settle after that date that may then be subject to the WGT.

We've put together information and resources to help lawyers understand the legislation, manage the associated risks and provide guidance about how to act now to avoid surprises later.

The announcement by Land Use Victoria that all land transactions will be conducted electronic by July 2019 is a timely reminder that practitioners need to implement a process to either destroy any paper titles or make them invalid in accordance with clause 6 of schedule 3 to the ARNECC Model Participation Rules.

New service charges may be placed on land pursuant to a new part 8B in the Local Government Act 1989 (Vic) inserted by the Building Amendment (Registration of Building Trades and Other Matters) Act 2018 (Vic).

The amendments to the insolvency regime in the Corporations Act 2001 (Cwlth) to restrict the rights of parties to enforce ipso facto clauses in new contracts came into effect on 1 July 2018.