QR codes no longer required outside Victorian residential properties after backlash

The "absolute nonsense" COVIDSafe rule that seemingly required several Victorian residents to display a QR code outside their home has been quietly scrapped by the government after backlash.

The bizarre mandate - upheld by body corporates - appeared to require residents living in units, flats, townhouses and residential apartment buildings to have a QR code system, so all visitors - including family, friends and tradespeople - could check-in on arrival.

A COVIDSafe plan required owners corporations to "keep records of those visiting a site for the purposes of contact tracing", the state's coronavirus website previously stated.

"This includes visitors to private residences within the site, or trades and service providers working within private residences or common areas."

However, the stringent rule vanished off the site without mention or warning on Friday night, following media reports criticising the bogus mandate.

The website now states: "Apartment buildings do not require QR codes upon entry, including in foyers or at a front gate."

READ MORE: Victorian businesses to get hefty fine if QR code rules ignored

However, they are required at the entrance of communal facilities such as gyms and pools.

It comes as even Acting Premier James Merlino admitted he was unsure of the technicalities of the rule when it came to residential properties.

Karen Egan last week told 3AW's Neil Mitchell her 85-year-old mother had copped a $180 bill by her body corporate to set up a QR code at her townhouse.

"It's just absolute nonsense," she told Mitchell.

"My first reaction was it's a rort from the body corporate.

"It's a freestanding townhouse, one of four - it's just like four small houses," she said.

"The only communal area they have is a driveway."