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Imagine you have your qualification as a builder and you apply to receive your licence. To your surprise, you get your licence knocked back…
Upset and frustrated, you ask for a reason. It turns out you must have been an employee under a licensed builder to be eligible for the builders licence in NSW.
Thus, even the wrong type of experience may result in receiving a rejection. And this is only one of the many disappointing scenarios that occur when people apply to acquire their licence in NSW.
To save your precious time, hard-earned money and nerves, we recommend that before applying you check all of the details for each state in Australia to ensure you meet all of the requirements.
In the case of NSW, the official body that regulates the process of issuing a builders licence is NSW Department of Fair Trading.
To apply, you will need to decide which type of licence you need to acquire. The three types available in NSW are as follows (depending on whether you want to contract or supervise building work):
A contractor licence is issued for one or three years. You are allowed to do only the types of work described on your licence.
A qualified supervisor certificate is issued for three years and does not allow you to contract for work.
An endorsed contractor licence. If you apply for a contractor licence and also have the qualifications and experience needed for a qualified supervisor, you are eligible to get an endorsed contractor licence.
The following will be required when you apply to get the licence:
Be aware that this is not an exhaustive list of required documents. Please visit the Building (general building work) page on the NSW Department of Fair Trading website for full details.
When it comes to experience, you are required to have worked as an employee, a subcontractor or a nominated supervisor (who holds a certificate of a qualified supervisor).
Important note: to attain your Residential Builders Licence in NSW, you will also need to gain at least 24 months experience as a bona fide employee under a licensed builder (working on residential sites and in a range of building works). The employer must confirm your experience on the referee’s statement form. In addition, you must have been paid with money for the work you did.
It’s required that you meet one of the two qualification criteria below.
Plus any of the following:
Finally, you must lodge your application in person at a Service NSW centre.
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The process of issuing a builders’ licence in Victoria is managed by the Victorian Building Authority.
Different categories are offered for building practitioners (Engineer, Building Inspector, Quantity Surveyor, etc.).
For Builders, three subtypes of registration are outlined:
Here is a quick explanation in terms of limited and unlimited registrations.
A Domestic Builders Licence (limited) outlines a specific area where you are qualified to accomplish tasks. Your responsibilities may be limited to the bathroom, kitchen and laundry renovation, the construction of swimming pools and spas, waterproofing, earthworks and excavation work, the construction of private bushfire shelters, etc.
Conversely, when your licence card reads “Unlimited”, it means your work is not limited by any specific area in building construction. Check the website’s What is Domestic building work page for more details.
Here is a chart that represents the process of registration: from submitting your qualifications and technical referee reports to presenting police check and declarations. This process varies across categories but the main steps are as follows:
Image source: Victorian Building Authority
To assist you with the registration process, the VBA conducts free registration information seminars. You are encouraged to book into a relevant seminar and attend it before submitting your application.
To qualify for registration as a domestic builder (unlimited), you will need the following qualification:
For domestic builder (limited), the qualification and experience requirements vary depending on the component or class of domestic building work. The necessary information for each specific case is outlined in Experience Statements available on Victorian Building Authority’s page. Download the pdfs for further details.
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Builders’ licensing in Queensland is managed by the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC).
In Queensland, the building work you do must be covered by your licence. Note that for some work, you need more than one licence class.
You need a licence to carry out:
QBCC also outlines the cases when you don’t need to acquire a licence. Specific details should be checked in case of an incidental work, sub-trade contracting, commercial construction, etc.
Several classes of licencing are offered by QBCC, including:
For each subcategory, check the page of Licence Classes to find the information you need.
Generally, those applying need to have:
We have developed a separate guide on getting your Queensland Builders Licence. Check it out for more helpful tips.
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If you want to get your builders licence in WA, Western Australian Building Commission is the official body you should check all of the information with.
Only a registered building practitioner or a registered building contractor can perform particular building work in WA․
The Western Australian Building Commission offers two types of licensing:
To apply for registration as a building practitioner, you must complete the application form for the chosen set. There are five sets, each with different requirements. Carefully study the specifics of each and pick the one that suits your qualifications and experience most.
To apply for registration as a building contractor, first of all make sure you have checked the registration details and application guidelines.
Note that registered practitioners and contractors must renew their registrations every three years.
You will need to document your qualifications and experience. Check out the page “Documenting your experience and qualifications” for more information.
To be registered, you will need to present your qualifications and experience.
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To acquire your builders licence in South Australia, you need to apply via the Consumer and Business Services.
The two main types of builders licencing options are:
The first one allows you “to work in construction, trade, demolition, site preparation and restoration and repairs”.
The second type of professionals “make sure that all building work performed meets the required building standards”.
Check the full list of builders’ responsibilities for more information.
To become a building work contractor, generally you will need:
As an applicant for a building work supervisor’s registration, you will need:
The knowledge and experience needed to become a supervisor includes the following major areas: building work management, building technology, and legislative requirements.
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If you want to work as a builder or building certifier, or set up a building company in the Northern Territory, you must register with the Building Practitioners Board which offers a number of different licence types including:
Acquiring these licences will allow you to accomplish the following types of work in NT:
For the full list of requirements for each qualification, consult the pdf file Government Gazette of NT of Australia (published by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel).
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The Department of Justice (Tasmania) is responsible for builders’ licensing which is regulated by the department’s business unit Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (CBOS).
In Tasmania, the builders licence is offered in three categories:
They divide each licence into three classes: low rise, medium rise and open.
The requirements depend on what class you wish to obtain. You will also need to provide two references, proof of insurance, financial information, and go through an interview.
To apply for a licence or renew the existing one, go to builder’s licence for eligibility and competency requirements, a checklist for builders licence, and more.
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The regulator of builders’ licensing in the ACT is Environment, Planning and Land Services.
To apply for a builders licence in the ACT, you need to choose one of the following five classes:
Note that specialist building work is not included in the above-mentioned classes. Specialist building work involves demolition of a building and installation of a swimming pool.
Qualification requirements are different for each class. Mandatory qualifications are explained in the Construction Occupations (Licensing) Mandatory Qualifications Schedule. You should also check the experience requirements before applying.
Want to get a builders’ licence or renew the existing one? Need a specific qualification to meet the requirements?
No matter which state you reside in and what type of licence you need to acquire, you will have to successfully complete a training program with a Registered Training Organisation that issues formal qualifications. With this, you will make sure your licence is not delayed or rejected.
What if there is a training program that makes the process of acquiring your qualification quick, easy, and effective?
Meet Back to Basics – a nationally recognized training provider.
Here are the highlights for those who seek to acquire a builders licence or diploma. We will keep the list short and sweet.
Earning your Certificate or Diploma in building and construction should not suck up all of your time and savings. It should be a fulfilling experience that arms you with valuable knowledge and sets a direct path to your career advancement.
Back to Basics offers nationally recognized training in Building, Contracts Administration, Estimating, Site Management, Site Supervision, Contracts Management as well as a comprehensive Continuing Professional Development program.
Call us on 1300 855 713 or email enquiries@backtobasics.edu.au to find out more.