Consumer, Building And Occupational Services

Role, scope and compliance policy

Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (CBOS), is a business unit of the Department of Justice in the Tasmanian government.

We work towards a fair, just and safe Tasmania through the delivery of equitable, efficient and effective consumer, building and occupational regulation.

To do this, we:

• Advise and educate consumers, tenants, businesses and landlords on their rights, responsibilities and changes to the law
• Review and advise the state government on consumer legislation and industry codes
• Advise and educate consumers and people in the building industry about the state’s building legislation and national standards
• Register and license businesses and occupations
• Conciliate disputes between consumers and traders, tenants and landlords, and consumers and building practitioners
• Enforce and ensure compliance with consumer laws, building laws and gas and electricity safety standards.

We license or register and regulate a range of occupations including motor vehicle traders, conveyancers, security officers, and people working with children or vulnerable adults.

We license a range of occupations in the building industry including builders, building surveyors, architects, engineers, designers, owner builders, plumbers, electricians, gas-fitters and automotive gas-fitters.

Our goals:

• Improve trading practices and safeguard the community
• Increase the capacity of consumers and industries to understand and exercise their rights and obligations
• Develop and manage systems and processes that support the effective operation of our services
• Build the skills of our staff to maximise the effective operation of our services
• Strengthen the organisational culture to support and positive and productive workplace

For information on how we ensure compliance with consumer laws and building laws, read our Service delivery - accountability and commitment policy Sep 2017 (pdf, 5.5 MB).

Engagement and audit program
For information on CBOS audit and compliance activities read:

• CBOS engagement and audit program 2018-2019 (pdf, 445.7 KB)
• Fact Sheet - CBOS Audit Program (pdf, 240.2 KB)
Role, scope and compliance policy