As the new owner, in your purchase contract there should be a copy of a occupation certificate and the certificate of insurance.
Donot lose any paper work.
The certificate of insurance has the details of the builder and the occupation certificate has the date when the home was completed.
As with the floorboards or any construction issues with the building contact the builder first within 7 years date of construction, if the builder has disappeared, died or gone bankrupt then claim through your certificate of insurance.
And the appliances, see if the previous owners will give you copys of the paper work of purchase or ring the appliance manufactures with the I.D code.
Please if you need to make a claim ring the Fair Trade of N.S.W. and confirm with them.