Building & construction · Australia
Defects, payment claims, SOPA adjudications, NCAT and VCAT building disputes, contract drafting, and major project work. We list 59 building and construction lawyers in Melbourne today (solicitors, firms and barristers), with Doyle’s Guide rankings where they exist and a note on every card saying whether we have checked the register listing. Other cities are added as profiles are claimed and checked.
Your first call for a building and construction matter. Runs the matter from the first meeting — advice, negotiation, the paperwork, and court if it comes to that — and briefs a barrister when one is needed.
Contact the firm directlyA solicitor a law institute has accredited in a field after formal assessment. We show it only where the listing says so. Shown on the Victorian register.
Ask the firm, or check the registerAn advocate for hearings, trials and hard points of law. Some accept direct briefs from the public; most work comes through a solicitor.
Usually through your solicitor33 solicitors, 21 law firms and 5 barristers, with Doyle’s Guide rankings where they exist and a register note on every listing. We group lawyers by what Doyle’s Guide published and what we have checked ourselves. Inside a group the order is alphabetical, and no lawyer here is rated above another by us.
Our listings for this area are Melbourne today; we say so rather than show you a national page we cannot back.
Within this group the order is alphabetical. It is not a ranking.
Solicitor · MinterEllison
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Market Leader 2026 · Construction
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Solicitor · Corrs Chambers Westgarth
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Market Leader 2026 · Construction
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Within this group the order is alphabetical. It is not a ranking.
Solicitor · Pinsent Masons
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Preeminent 2026 · Construction
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Solicitor · King & Wood Mallesons
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Preeminent 2026 · Construction
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Solicitor · Pinsent Masons
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Preeminent 2026 · Construction
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Solicitor · Maddocks
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Preeminent 2026 · Construction
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Within this group the order is alphabetical. It is not a ranking.
Solicitor · Molino Cahill
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Leading 2026 · Construction
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Solicitor · Corrs Chambers Westgarth
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Leading 2026 · Construction
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Solicitor · Thomson Geer
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Leading 2026 · Construction
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Solicitor · Pinsent Masons
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Leading 2026 · Construction
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Solicitor · Molino Cahill
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Leading 2026 · Construction
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Solicitor · Molino Cahill
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Leading 2026 · Construction
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Solicitor · Clayton Utz
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Leading 2026 · Construction
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Solicitor · Clayton Utz
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Leading 2026 · Construction
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Solicitor · MinterEllison
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Leading 2026 · Construction
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Solicitor · Maddocks
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Leading 2026 · Construction
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Solicitor · White & Case
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Leading 2026 · Construction
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Within this group the order is alphabetical. It is not a ranking.
Solicitor · Corrs Chambers Westgarth
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Recommended 2026 · Construction
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Solicitor · Pinsent Masons
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Recommended 2026 · Construction
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Solicitor · Keypoint Law
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Recommended 2026 · Construction
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Solicitor · Corrs Chambers Westgarth
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Recommended 2026 · Construction
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Solicitor · Molino Cahill
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Recommended 2026 · Construction
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Solicitor · Thomson Geer
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Recommended 2026 · Construction
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Solicitor · KCL Law
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Recommended 2026 · Construction
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Solicitor · White & Case
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Recommended 2026 · Construction
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Solicitor · Allens
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Recommended 2026 · Construction
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Solicitor · Clayton Utz
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Recommended 2026 · Construction
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Solicitor · Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Recommended 2026 · Construction
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Solicitor · Maddocks
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Recommended 2026 · Construction
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Solicitor · Colin Biggers & Paisley
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Recommended 2026 · Construction
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Solicitor · HWL Ebsworth
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Recommended 2026 · Construction
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Solicitor · Hall & Wilcox
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Recommended 2026 · Construction
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Solicitor · Maddocks
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Recommended 2026 · Construction
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Within this group the order is alphabetical. It is not a ranking.
Law firm
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide First Tier · Intellectual Property
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Law firm
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide First Tier · Environment
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Law firm
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide First Tier · Construction
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Law firm
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide First Tier · Construction
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Law firm
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide First Tier · Wills, Estates & Succession
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Law firm
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide First Tier · Commercial Litigation
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Law firm
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide First Tier · Banking & Finance
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Law firm
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide First Tier · Family Law
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Law firm
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide First Tier · Town Planning & Development
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Law firm
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide First Tier · Construction
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Law firm
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide First Tier · Environment
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Law firm
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide First Tier · Construction
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Law firm
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide First Tier · Workers' Compensation
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Law firm
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide First Tier · Environment
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Within this group the order is alphabetical. It is not a ranking.
Law firm
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Second Tier · Professional Indemnity
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Law firm
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Leading · Agribusiness
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Law firm
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Second Tier · Estates Litigation
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Law firm
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Second Tier · Construction
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Within this group the order is alphabetical. It is not a ranking.
Law firm
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Third Tier · Property & Real Estate
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Law firm
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Recommended · Construction
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Law firm
Melbourne, VIC
Doyle’s Guide Third Tier · Insolvency & Restructuring
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Within this group the order is alphabetical. It is not a ranking.
Barrister at the Victorian Bar · Owen Dixon Chambers East
Melbourne, VIC
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Independent barrister practising from the Victorian Bar
Melbourne, VIC
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Barrister at the Victorian Bar · Owen Dixon Chambers West
Melbourne, VIC
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Barrister at the Victorian Bar · Owen Dixon Chambers West
Melbourne, VIC
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
Barrister at the Victorian Bar · Owen Dixon Chambers East
Melbourne, VIC
We have not checked anything on this listing yet. That is about our coverage, not about this lawyer.
No lawyers match those filters.
Doyle’s Guide tiers are Doyle’s, from its peer survey, reproduced with attribution. Google ratings are ratings of the firm, not of an individual lawyer. Sponsored placements are labelled. Nobody pays to be listed.
What building & construction law covers
Australian construction law spans the Home Building Acts, the Security of Payment Acts (SOPA), state planning legislation, and the suite of standard form contracts (AS, NEC, JCT).
Defects
Statutory warranty claims under state Home Building Acts. NSW: 6 years major defects, 2 years minor. Most matters resolve in NCAT, VCAT, or QCAT.
Payment
Statutory adjudication for unpaid progress claims and final payments. Strict timeframes (10-15 days) and limited grounds for response. Fast and effective for genuine claims.
Contract
Drafting and reviewing residential and commercial construction contracts. The standard forms (AS 4000, AS 4902, AS 4901) are heavily amended in practice.
Disputes
Variations, extensions of time, liquidated damages, delay claims, and termination disputes. Often involve expert evidence on quantum, programme, and quality.
Tribunal
Tribunal proceedings for home owner / builder disputes, including orders for rectification, compensation, and (where applicable) revocation of builder licences.
Licensing
Licensing applications and defences, home building compensation insurance claims, and disputes with iCare HBCF in NSW.
Typical cost
Indicative range
$3,500 to $300,000+
Construction matters cluster around the dispute mechanism used. SOPA adjudications are fast and relatively cheap. Tribunal claims are mid-range. Full court litigation is rare in residential matters and expensive in commercial.
Contract review: $1,500–$5,000. SOPA adjudication application: $5,000–$25,000. NCAT/VCAT defect claim: $12,000–$60,000. Supreme Court construction matter: $80,000–$500,000+.
How a matter typically unfolds
NSW residential building defects via NCAT. Other states follow a similar pattern through their consumer tribunals.
Document the defects with photographs, dates, and (where significant) an independent building consultant’s report.
Written notice to the builder identifying the defects and requesting rectification within a reasonable time (usually 21 days for minor, 90 days for major).
If the builder cannot or will not rectify, lodge a claim with iCare HBCF (NSW) or the equivalent in your state. HBCF requires builder insolvency, death, or licence cancellation in most cases.
Application to NCAT Consumer and Commercial Division. Filing fee $52–$326 depending on quantum. The matter is listed for directions within 6–10 weeks.
Both parties typically obtain expert reports. NCAT may direct a single joint expert. Conciliation is mandatory before hearing.
If unresolved, NCAT hears evidence and makes orders. Common orders: rectification by the builder, payment of the cost of rectification, or a combination.
Frequently asked
In NSW, a major defect is a defect attributable to defective design, faulty workmanship, materials or non-compliance with the relevant standard that affects load-bearing or weatherproofing elements or makes the property uninhabitable. Definitions vary by state but the threshold concept is similar.
A SOPA adjudication application produces a binding determination within roughly 6–8 weeks of filing. The adjudicator’s determination is enforceable as a judgment. SOPA is the most powerful tool for unpaid contractors and subcontractors in Australia.
Generally, where the builder is solvent, licensed, and willing to do quality work, the courts and tribunals prefer rectification. Where trust has broken down or the work is beyond the builder’s capability, an order for the cost of rectification is more common. Specialist advice is valuable here.
Home building compensation insurance (called HBCF in NSW, DBI in VIC, QBCC home warranty in QLD) typically covers rectification where the builder has died, become insolvent, or had their licence cancelled. Lodge the claim quickly — time limits apply.
Verified construction lawyers across NSW, VIC, QLD, WA and SA. Most offer a fixed-fee initial advice meeting.
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