A building inspection in Australia is a non-invasive, visual assessment of a property’s condition, carried out in accordance with Australian Standard AS 4349.1. It focuses on identifying major structural defects, safety hazards, and conditions that may lead to future problems.

The inspection covers all readily accessible areas, including interior and exterior walls, ceilings, floors, roof spaces, and subfloor areas (where accessible), as well as external structures like garages, sheds, driveways and retaining walls. Inspectors look for visible issues such as cracking, movement, moisture ingress, water damage, and poor drainage.

However, building inspections do not include hidden areas or specialist systems, such as plumbing or electrical wiring inside walls, appliances, or termite activity. These require separate specialist inspections, which is why many buyers choose a combined building and pest inspection for a more complete assessment.

Read more about what is not included in a building inspection.