Is construction allowed to continue during the lockdown?  

Yes, construction can continue during the lockdown for unoccupied premises and new builds.  

Essential repairs and maintenance at an occupied property are permitted (as defined below). Strict health measures are required, and workers must wear face masks and have no contact with residents. 

Is service and maintenance permitted in the construction industry? 

Yes, all aspects of construction are permitted to operate for unoccupied premises and new builds. For answers about occupied premises, see below.

Can construction and renovations continue at occupied premises? 

Construction and renovations, including pool installation, painting, and landscaping, must not proceed at occupied premises.  Emergency repairs and maintenance are permitted, however workers must wear face masks and have no contact with residents. 

Is painting allowed to continue? 

Painting is permitted: 

  • as part of a new build, or  
  • as a standalone project on an existing property where there are no residents.

If the premises are occupied, painting should not proceed.  

Essential repairs and maintenance at an occupied property are permitted (as defined below). Strict health measures are required, and workers must wear face masks and have no contact with residents.

In what circumstances can landscaping and garden maintenance continue?  

Landscaping works may continue where they are occurring: 

  • as part of a new build, or  
  • as a standalone project on an existing property where there are no residents. 

Landscaping works are not permitted at occupied properties. 

Essential repairs and maintenance at an occupied property are permitted (as defined below). Strict health measures are required, and workers must wear face masks and have no contact with residents. 

In what circumstances can swimming pool construction continue? 

Swimming pool construction at unoccupied homes is considered a form of construction and is permitted. This includes projects that had not begun at the start of the lockdown.

What is essential maintenance? Can essential maintenance continue in homes where residents are staying? 

Maintenance work in homes or apartments where residents are staying can only continue where it is essential for the continued operation of:  

  • essential infrastructure and essential services that are required to maintain or protect human health, safety, and wellbeing (whether provided by a public or private undertaking), and including construction, maintenance, and repair of such infrastructure 
  • critical repairs to any premises where required for emergency or safety 
  • services to support ongoing provision and regulation of electricity, gas, water, sewage and waste and recycling services and their maintenance. 

Workers must always wear a face mask and have no contact with residents.

Are display homes and suites allowed to open? 

No, display homes must not open.  

Can building inspections continue if they are necessary for a building or construction project to continue? 

If a building inspection is critical to the building or construction project, it is considered a part of the construction and may occur.  

Can solar installation continue under the current restrictions? 

Solar installations on occupied homes are not considered construction and must cease under current restrictions unless they are required to maintain or protect human health, safety, and wellbeing.  

Solar installations as part of construction projects may continue (ie at unoccupied properties).  

Urgent maintenance or repairs to ensure electrical or gas supply can continue, including for off-grid premises supplied by solar power or batteries. 

Is an apartment considered ‘unoccupied’ when other apartments in the block are occupied?

No, an unoccupied apartment is considered occupied if other apartments in the building are occupied.

Is a shed or granny flat considered ‘unoccupied’ if it does not have a tenant but it shares a block with an occupied home?

No, an unoccupied structure, such as a granny flat or a shed, is considered occupied if it is on a property with occupied houses.

Can building inspections occur?

Building inspections can proceed if:

  • they are conducted by building inspectors, and
  • are essential to the construction project.
  • Site inspections by clients are not permitted. 

Check-in everywhere, every time

Every Victorian business must use the Victorian Government QR Code Service to check-in their workers, customers and visitors, with some limited exemptions.

Victorians must check-in everywhere, every time. Businesses must ensure that every worker, customer and visitor has checked-in, no matter how long they are at the premises.

Face masks 

  • Must be carried at all times. 
  • Must be worn at all times (indoors and outdoors), except for specified exceptions such as:  
    • a person working alone in an indoor or outdoor space 
    • at home 
    • while consuming food, or 
    • if another a lawful reason not to wear one applies. 

See the Face Mask page for further information and a full list of exemptions.