‘Yes in my back garden’: the new planning rules that have been set to reform the neighborhoods of Victoria

The state government says that these changes are the next step to make Victoria “the mansion capital”.

The Victorian state government has announced a series of streamlined planning rules to accelerate approvals for people to distribute or build a second home on their plot.

The changes are part of the government’s efforts to stimulate housing stock throughout the state.

The new “yes in my backyard” rules, which will come into effect from mid -October 2025, apply to Victorians who want to build a second home, replace an existing house with two new or subdivide their block and sell the country.

According to the State, these changes will reduce waiting times from more than 60 days to 10 working days. They are also expected to save applicants more than $ 2400 in reimbursements.

The state government said it will stimulate home building in a way that is “sensitive to every street” with a system that enables Victorians to say “yes in my backyard” – literally.

“I want to get millennials in Huizen – and so many people from looking at new mansions and houses in subdivided blocks that have a few bedrooms and space for the children to run around. It works for them,” said Victorian Prime Minister Jacinta Allan.

Victorian minister for planning Sonya Kilkenny said that the changes will stimulate the housing stock for all kinds of buyers of real estate, from buyers from the first home to downsizers.

“These changes will stimulate the housing stock in a way that is sensitive to every street, whether you are building a second home for your children or selling your back garden to help someone else buy them,” said Mrs. Kilkenny.

“For many people, the biggest housing option lies directly behind them – in their own backyard. That is also a chance for someone else – a young family, a buyer from the first house or a down sizer.”

The changes are part of Victoria’s plan to make the “the mansion capital”. Photo: Getty

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Criteria still have to be met to receive rapid approval, with proposals that must meet the site, privacy and design standards.

The announcement comes after a series of changes to streamline approvals for different housing types.

The State plan to turn Victoria into the “mansion capital” saw legislators introduce the mansion and the low -build code in February 2025, which is intended to streamline approvals of new houses up to three floors.

In August, the state government also introduced the single home code, to increase the approval for a few houses and small second homes on plots below 300 square meters.

This last step also follows the reform of the state government to have small second houses, such as grandma apartments, built without a planning permit.

According to the government, more than 500 small second houses have been approved in the time since that change in December 2023.

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