Austral Building
Inspections

What a pre-purchase inspection does not cover

The boundaries are what make the rest reliable.

Austral 2179 · 26 May 2026

Fully licensed & accredited

  • NSW Fair Trading NSW Fair Trading
  • Australian Society of Building Consultants Australian Society of Building Consultants
  • Strata Community Association Strata Community Association
  • Building Dispute Practitioners Society Building Dispute Practitioners Society

In short: AS 4349.1 is a visual inspection, and its exclusions each exist for a reason.

The standard in a line

Looking, without dismantling, at whatever can be readily reached, and reporting significant items, conditions that could lead to structural damage, and safety hazards.

Services stay off

Electrical is not energised, plumbing is not pressure tested, appliances and motors are not run.

Nothing is opened

No lining removed, no ground excavated, no concealed framing or damp proof course exposed.

Separate scopes

Timber pests sit under AS 4349.3. Asbestos and mould testing are specialist services outside both.

Why the limits help

An inspection that is clear about its boundaries can be relied on inside them. Reach beyond the scope and the whole report becomes vulnerable when tested.

Written by our local inspection team from work carried out in Austral. Licensed building practitioners.

Guides

More pre-purchase guides for Austral

All guides →

Book a building inspection in Austral

Instant online pricing for Austral, or contact the booking team.

FAQ

Questions Austral owners ask about this

Can services be tested separately?

Yes, by the relevant trade. The report says where that is worth arranging.

Is pest included?

Not automatically. It is booked alongside as a combined building and pest attendance.

What if something is blocked?

We log it as not inspected and give the reason. Silence about an area would be worse.

Are hazards covered?

They are, and we keep them apart from the defect list because the timescale for acting differs.

Get a Free Quote