Wood heaters are one of the most popular ways to heat homes across regional Victoria, but they come with more regulation than most buyers expect. Some of it is national. Some of it is state-specific. Some comes from your local council. And the rules have tightened in recent years as Victoria has tried to balance the genuine heating benefits against the air quality concerns.
This guide walks through exactly what applies to you in 2026 if you are buying or installing a wood heater in Victoria. If you're still deciding which heating option is right for your home, start by reading our guide to compare wood, gas, and electric fireplaces before focusing on wood heater regulations. It is written for homeowners, not installers, so we have skipped the deep technical detail and focused on what actually affects your decision.
The Two Australian Standards You Need to Know
AS/NZS 4013: Emissions
Every wood heater sold in Australia must meet AS/NZS 4013, which sets the maximum allowable particulate emissions at 1.5 grams per kilogram of wood burned. This is enforced nationally and there is no exemption. Older heaters from before this standard came in are not certified and cannot be legally sold new.
How to check: every compliant heater has a silver compliance plate on the back of the unit. The plate will state AS/NZS 4013 and the emission rating. If a heater does not have this plate, it should not be in a showroom.
AS/NZS 4012: Efficiency
This is the partner standard for AS/NZS 4013. It sets the minimum efficiency at 60 percent. Most quality modern heaters sit between 70 and 85 percent, which means they extract significantly more heat from each piece of wood than the minimum.
The compliance plate shows the efficiency rating too. When comparing modern wood heaters, higher efficiency generally means lower firewood consumption and reduced heating costs over winter. You can compare our range of compliant wood heaters once you've determined the right heating capacity. Selecting the correct heating capacity is equally important, so read our guide on what size fireplace do you need before purchasing.
AS 2918: Installation
This is the standard your installer works to. It covers clearances from combustibles, flue heights, hearth requirements, and ventilation. You do not need to memorise it. You do need to make sure your installer is a licensed Victorian plumber who will install to this standard. Installation costs vary depending on your home's layout, flue requirements and roof type. Our Fireplace Installation Cost Guide breaks down these costs in detail.
Who Can Legally Install a Wood Heater in Victoria
Victoria is stricter than some other states on who can install wood heaters. The work must be carried out by a person registered or licensed with the Victorian Building Authority in Mechanical Services work. This is a specific plumbing class. A general handyman, a builder without the right plumbing class, or an unlicensed installer cannot legally do the job.
How to verify your installer
The VBA maintains an online register of licensed plumbers. Search the licensee's name or business at vba.vic.gov.au. If they are not on the register or their licence does not include Mechanical Services, they are not legally permitted to install your wood heater.
Why it matters beyond compliance
Beyond the legal requirement, a licensed installer protects you in three concrete ways. Your insurance is valid if there is ever a fire claim. The compliance certificate they issue goes on the property record, which matters at resale. And they carry public liability insurance for the work.
Building permits in Victoria
Most wood heater installations in Victoria do not need a building permit. This is different to New South Wales, which generally requires a planning application through the NSW Planning Portal. A few specific situations in Victoria do require permits, including most heritage-listed properties and some installations in bushfire-prone areas at certain BAL ratings.
Council and Local Restrictions
On top of state and national rules, your local council may add restrictions. These vary widely across Victoria. Some examples we see in the regions we cover.
Greater Geelong
Wood heaters are permitted across the City of Greater Geelong with standard compliance. Some inner suburbs have higher complaint rates around wood smoke, which can lead to council nuisance investigations, but installations are not restricted at the planning stage.
Ballarat
Similar to Geelong. No additional planning restrictions for compliant heaters in residential zones. Bushfire-prone overlay areas around the city outskirts may have additional BAL requirements affecting flue and clearance specs.
Latrobe Valley and Gippsland
Wood heating is common and largely uncomplicated across most of Gippsland. Bushfire zone considerations apply in many areas, especially after the 2019 to 2020 fire season reviews.
Always check before you buy
Council rules can change. The simplest check is a quick call to your local council planning department before you order a wood heater. We can also walk you through what we know about your area when you visit one of our showrooms.
Air Quality and Smoke Rules
The Environment Protection Authority Victoria regulates wood smoke as an air pollutant. Most of the rules apply to the heater itself (covered by AS/NZS 4013) rather than to how often you use it. But you can still get a council nuisance order issued against you if your wood heater produces excessive smoke.
What counts as excessive smoke
EPA Victoria's guidance is that a properly operated wood heater should produce visible smoke for no more than 10 minutes after lighting, and for no more than 5 minutes after refuelling. After that, the smoke should be largely invisible. Heavy continuous smoke usually indicates wet wood, too little air, or a poorly tuned heater.
How to avoid smoke complaints
-
Use seasoned hardwood with moisture content below 20 percent
-
Avoid green wood, treated timber, painted wood, and household rubbish
-
Open the air control fully when lighting and refuelling
-
Do not damp the heater down to smoulder overnight
-
Have your flue cleaned annually
Resale and Disclosure
Wood heaters form part of your property's compliance history in Victoria. When selling your home, your Section 32 Vendor Statement should accurately disclose any building work, including wood heater installations where applicable. A compliant installation completed by a licensed installer with the appropriate compliance documentation is generally straightforward during the sale process, while an installation completed without the required approvals or certification may result in additional inspections or requests from prospective buyers.
If you purchased a home with an existing wood heater and are unsure whether it was installed by a licensed Victorian plumber, it's worth arranging an inspection by a suitably licensed installer. They can assess the installation, advise whether it meets current requirements, and recommend any work needed to achieve compliance. Costs for inspections or remedial work vary depending on the condition of the existing installation, so it's best to request a current quote.
Yearly Maintenance Requirements
The Victorian Building Authority recommends an annual service by a licensed Mechanical Services plumber. This is not legally mandatory for homeowners, but it is the standard recommendation for safety and efficiency.
What a yearly service covers
-
Flue inspection and cleaning
-
Door seal check and replacement if needed
-
Baffle plate and firebrick inspection
-
Air control mechanism check
-
General firebox condition assessment
Why it matters
Creosote build-up in the flue is the leading cause of house fires from wood heaters. An annual clean removes this risk. A quality install with quality maintenance gives you decades of safe heating.
Quick Compliance Checklist
Before you sign for a wood heater, work through this list.
1. Does the heater have a visible AS/NZS 4013 compliance plate?
2. Is the efficiency rating at least 60 percent (preferably 70 percent or higher)?
3. Is your installer a Victorian-licensed plumber in Mechanical Services?
4. Is the install quote itemised with a compliance certificate included?
5. Have you checked council planning rules for your address?
6. Have you confirmed your home is not in a BAL-affected zone that needs special clearances?
7. Has the installer scheduled a hearth inspection?
8. Is the flue specified for your roof type and ceiling height?
Talk to Us For a Compliance Check
If you are buying new, we sell only AS/NZS 4013 and 4012 compliant heaters and install with our licensed Victorian plumbers. If you have an existing wood heater you want checked for compliance, we can arrange that too.
Geelong: 304 Melbourne Rd, North Geelong | (03) 5272 2587
Ballarat: 845 Howitt St, Wendouree | (03) 5338 2586
Traralgon: 194 Argyle St, Traralgon | (03) 5149 0344
Or book a free in-home consultation online and we will come to you.
