Understand Victoria’s latest domestic building contract reforms and advise your clients with clarity and confidence. Unpack the latest changes to the Domestic Building Contracts Act, examine the new buyer protections and obligations and identify the key legal Strengthen your understanding of the evolving compliance and the emerging areas of exposure.
Tuesday, 8 September 2026
Chair:
Todd Allen, Barrister, Aickin Chambers
Description
Attend and earn 2 CPD units in Substantive Law
This program is based on VIC legislation
2.00pm to 4.00pm Domestic Building Contracts Act Reforms: New Protections and Obligations
Gain practical insights into and essential implications of the new rights, protections and obligations in the
- What’s Changed and Why It Matters
Gain a clear breakdown of the key amendments to the Domestic Building Contracts Act and the intent behind the reforms, so you understand the full picture, not just the fine print - Strengthened Buyer Protections
Examine the implications of the new rights and safeguards for buyers, including enhanced disclosure obligations, cooling-off provisions and defect-related protections - Your Compliance Obligations
Walk away with a practical guide to what builders, agents and industry professionals must now do differently, including contract documentation, pre-sale requirements and warranty obligations - Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
Understand real-world scenarios highlighting where industry participants are getting caught out and how to mitigate those risks - Practical Takeaways and Next Steps
Actionable checklists, updated processes and practical strategies to confidently navigate the new regulatory landscape
Presented by Donna Abu-Elias, Director - Principal Legal Counsel, Spectrum Lawyers & Consultants; Nationally Accredited Mediator; Deputy Chair, IR & Legal Committee of the Housing Industry Association
Presenters
Todd Allen, Barrister, Aickin ChambersTodd Allen has a broad commercial law practice with particular expertise in building, construction and property. He accepts briefs in most areas of commercial litigation including general commercial, consumer law, intellectual property, corporations law, insolvency and ADR. Prior to coming to the Bar, Todd was Principal and Director of Axiom Legal Pty Ltd, a law firm with offices in both Melbourne and Perth. At Axiom, Todd predominantly advised the ABN Group, one of Australia’s largest home building groups. Todd advised the ABN Group’s residential construction, commercial construction, land development and fund lending businesses. Todd is particularly well placed to advise on matters relating to greenfield development and construction in Victoria.
Donna Abu-Elias, Director - Principal Legal Counsel, Spectrum Lawyers & Consultants
Donna is a specialist building and construction lawyer with over two decades of experience spanning private practice and senior in-house roles. Prior to founding Spectrum Lawyers, Donna practised at Clayton Utz and served as General Counsel for several of Australia's leading volume residential builders, including Burbank Group, Carlisle Homes and Simonds Group. In 2013, Donna completed her Diploma in Construction Law and also joined the Housing Industry Association's IR & Legal Committee, on which she has served continuously since. She was appointed Deputy Chair of that Committee in 2020, a position she continues to hold. Donna founded Spectrum Lawyers & Consultants in 2019, driven by a commitment to providing specialist, industry-focused legal services to building participants. The firm advises and represents owners, builders, owners corporations, building surveyors and other building professionals in the Courts, VCAT and before the Building Appeals Board. In 2025, Donna expanded her dispute resolution credentials by becoming an AMDRAS accredited mediator.
