VC81 Compliance Documentation: What it is, Why You Need it and How to Get it

If you’re subdividing or developing land, there are plenty of boxes to tick when it comes to compliance. From planning approvals to essential services, and everything between, it’s vital that all the relevant applications, reports and documentation are lodged correctly and on time to avoid unnecessary delays to your project timeline.

One of the essential documents you’ll need to lodge and gain approval on for your new developments or subdivisions is the VC81 compliance documentation, or as it is more commonly known, Forms 1 and 2.

The VC81 compliance takes its name from the 2013 amendment to the Victorian Planning Provision, and in a nutshell, its aim is to make sure you complete all aspects of the telecommunications requirements on your new property. And while this sounds simple enough, the truth is, it is a pretty complicated process, especially if it’s your first time—which is why many builders, developers, surveyors and homeowners choose to outsource their telecommunication compliance documentation (and often the designs and installations too).

So, if you’re keen to find out more about Form 1 and 2/VC81 compliance, so you can decide whether to tackle it alone or enlist the help of an expert, read on.

Why do I need VC81 compliance?

The short answer is, that in today’s connected modern world, the internet has now basically become an essential service. Your new occupants expect a reliable NBN connection that is ready for them to connect and use as soon as they move in. Whether they are working from home, browsing the web or bingeing on Netflix, a fast internet connection is now a definite must. The VC81 docs are in place to make sure that every telecommunications requirement is completed accurately and meets the required Australian standards, from the initial plans, through to the digging and installation of wiring. In most locations, you will not be granted a Certificate of Occupancy unless you have completed every requirement of Forms 1 and 2 and have achieved VC81 compliance.

How hard is it to achieve VC81 compliance?

For those outside the telecommunications industry, it can be quite hard to get your head around all the necessary steps and requirements to successfully achieve VC81 compliance. This means it can take up a lot of your valuable time! From trying to understand the types of plans you need to submit and preparing them in the right format, to finding suitably qualified and experienced people to carry the works out, and then overseeing them, the whole process can be tedious and hard work. If you are juggling this on top of an already hectic workload, it can cause plenty of unnecessary headaches.

Is there an easier way to get Forms 1 and 2?

If you’d like to save yourself the stress and hassle of working through the VC81 on your own, you can choose to outsource the task to a telecommunications contractor. For example, our experienced team process multiple VC81 compliance documentation forms every week, saving builders, developers, surveyors, electricians and homeowners many hours of work, not to mention getting it done in the fastest possible time. By outsourcing this aspect of your project,  you can be confident that your Forms 1 and 2 will be delivered with every requirement met. But best of all, it frees you up to focus on other areas of the project so you can deliver it on time and on budget.

If you’re still on the fence about the value of outsourcing your VC81 docs, check out our testimonials or get in touch with our team to find out more and learn how we can help.