Builder’s Licence – A, B, C and D

In the ACT, the builder licence is classified into A, B, C and D. You must hold a relevant qualification, pass the written examination, and documented 2 years' full time building work experience before receiving a builder’s licence (A, B or C). Class D requires 3 years' of work experience without holding a qualification and undertaking the examination.

Experience

Class A, B and C requires 2 years' of documented full time building work experience where 1 year full time experience was undertaken after the date the qualification was issued.

Class D requires 3 years' of documented full time building work experience.

Technical qualification

• Class A builder (Unlimited) requires a tertiary qualification in building that the Australian Qualifications Framework Advisory has determined is a Bachelor degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Masters Degree, or Doctoral Degree in Building (‘tertiary qualification in building’).
• Class B builder (Medium Rise) requires, one of the following:
• a) Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) with a course code of CPC50210, CPC50208 or BCG50206; or
• b) a tertiary qualification in building.
• Class C builder (Low rise / Residential up to 2 storeys) requires, one of the following:
• a) Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Building) with a course code of CPC40110, CPC40108, or BCG40106; or
• b) Diploma Building and Construction (Building) with a course code of CPC50210, CPC50208 or BCG50206; or
• c) a tertiary qualification in building.
• Class D builder (non-structural work) does not require a formal qualification.

Examination

Class A, B and C requires you to pass a written examination set by the Construction Occupations Registrar before your builder licence is issued. You may make two attempts before your licence is refused.

Class D is exempted from examination.

Licence Body contact details

ACT Planning and Land Authority
Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate
GPO Box 158
Canberra City ACT, 2601

T: 02 6207 1923

W: www.planning.act.gov.au

HIA Training options

HIA offers a range of qualifications that can help you to achieve a licensing outcome, for more information contact us on: 

T: 1300 650 620

E: learning@hia.com.au

Builder's Licence

In NSW the licence category you need is a Builder’s Licence. You can get a Builder’s Licence with 2 years’ on the job experience plus the relevant technical qualifications.

Experience

To apply for your NSW Builder’s Licence you must show at least 2 years’ relevant industry experience (obtained within the last 10 years) across a wide range of building construction work.

“Experience” means that you gained the relevant experience as:

• an employee of; or
• a holder of a supervisor of certificate and as a nominated supervisor for the contractor licence held by; or
• a holder of an endorsed contractor licence contractor to; or
• a holder of supervisor certificate in the capacity of a nominated supervisor for a contractor licence held by an individual, partnership or corporation contracted to; or
• a holder of a supervisor certificate in the category of full general building work or an endorsed contractor licence in the category of full general building work, held continuously for a minimum period of 2 years within 10 years from the date the application is made; or
• a person engaged by the holder of a contractor licence authorising the holder to do the class of residential building work in which the experience was gained ('the Work'), where during the relevant period, you were supervised and directed in the doing of the Work by the holder of an endorsed contractor licence or supervisor certificate authorising its holder to supervise the Work; and
• financially remunerated for the Work.

Technical Qualification

In addition to 2 years’ relevant industry experience in the construction industry you  must have at least one of the following qualifications:

1. Certificate IV in Building and Construction

a) (BCG40106 or CPC40108 Building or CPC40110 Building); or

b) (BCG40206 or CPC40208 Contract Administration); or

c) (BCG40306 or CPC40308 Estimating); or

d) (BCG40506 or CPC40508 Site Management),

 

AND, including all the 'listed units of competency’:

a) BCGBC4001A or CPCCBC4001A;

b) BCGBC4002A or CPCCBC4002A;

c) BCGBC4003A or CPCCBC4003A;

d) BCGBC4004A or CPCCBC4004A;

e) BCGBC4005A or CPCCBC4005A;

f) BCGBC4006A or CPCCBC4006A or CPCCBC4006B;

g) BCGBC4007A or CPCCBC4007A;

h) BCGBC4008A or CPCCBC4008A or CPCCBC4008B;

i) BCGBC4009A or CPCCBC4009A or CPCCBC4009B;

j) BCGBC4010A or CPCCBC4010A or CPCCBC4010B;

k) BCGBC4011A or CPCCBC4011A or CPCCBC4011B;

l) BSBSBM406A or BSBSMB406A or BSBSMB406;

m) BCGBC4012A or CPCCBC4012A or CPCCBC4012B;

n) BCGBC4018A or CPCCBC4018A; and

o) BCGBC4024A or CPCCBC4024A,

AND, one of the following:

 

• A current Carpentry or Bricklaying contractor licence or supervisor certificate, or an approved qualification that would allow the issue of such a licence (for details of approved qualifications, see Carpentry or Bricklaying); or

   

• Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) BCG50206 or CPC50208 or CPC50210. For CPC50210, you must complete units of competency for CPCCBC5004A, CPCCBC5005A, CPCCBC5007A or CPCCBC5007B, and CPCCBC5009A.

   

2. Degree in Building, Construction, Construction Management, Construction Economics, Applied Science (Building), or Quantity Surveying - from an Australian University. You are required  to undertake the equivalent of 4 years’ full time study and a mandatory work placement.

3. Bachelor of Housing from an Australian University or a Degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Architecture, Housing, Construction, Construction Management, Construction Economics, Applied Science (Building), Quantity Surveying from an Australian University.

AND

Certificate IV in Building and Construction

a) (BCG40106 or CPC4010 or CPC40110 Building); or

b) (BCG40206 or CPC40208 Contract Administration); or

c) (BCG40306 or CPC40308 Estimating); or

d) (BCG40506 or CPC40508 Site Management) –

AND, including all the ‘listed units of competency’ above.

4. If you have previously held a licence in the prescribed class of ‘building’ (Clause 46 of Home Building Regulation 2004) and you apply for a new licence within 5 years of the former licence’s expiry, your previous licence will be considered in lieu of the current qualification requirements. Read for more information.

Licence Body contact details

Office of Fair Trading

PH: 13 32 20 (8:30am-5pm, Mon-Fri)

www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/

Head Office: 4 Paramatta Square, 12 Darcy Street, Paramatta NSW, 2150

HIA Training options

HIA offers a range of qualifications that can help you to achieve a licensing outcome, to discuss this more please contact us on 1300 650 620 or email learning@hia.com.au.

Building Contractor Residential Licence

In the Northern Territory, the licence category you need is a Building Contractor Residential Licence.

Experience

You will need a minimum 3 years’ practical experience in carrying out relevant building work.

Technical qualifications

To be eligible for this registration as an individual you must:

• hold a Certificate IV in Building and Construction or equivalent;
• provide a resume and project list detailing three years practical experience in carrying out relevant building work;
• have at least three written references from registered building practitioners who can verify your experience;
• be a fit and proper person to hold the registration; and
• provide a Net Assets Certificate from your accountant showing you have net tangible assets of at least $50,000.

Licence Body contact details

Building Practitioners Board

PH: (08) 8936 4082 (8:00am- 4:21pm, Mon-Fri)

bpb.nt.gov.au/

Email: bpb@nt.gov.au

Level 3, NAB House, 71 Smith Street Darwin, NT 0800

HIA Training options

HIA offers a range of qualifications that can help you to achieve a licensing outcome, to discuss this more please contact us on 1300 650 620 or email learning@hia.com.au.

Builder Low Rise License and Site Supervisor

In Queensland, to obtain a builder’s licence, the licence category you need is a Builder – Low Rise. This licence category consists of a contractor’s licence and a site supervisor licence.

Experience

If you are qualified in bricklaying/block laying or carpentry, you need a minimum two years’ experience in the licence class scope of work (or other work the Commission is satisfied is at least equivalent to experience in the scope of work for the class).

For all other applicants, you need a minimum four years’ experience in the licence class scope of work (or other work the Commission is satisfied is at least equivalent to experience in the scope of work for the class).

Technical qualifications

Technical qualification requirements:

• For the contractor portion of the licence, you will need any one of the following:

a) Successful completion of Certificate IV in Building and Construction (CPC40120);

b) Successful completion of a course the Commission considers is at least equivalent to the course mentioned in paragraph (a);

c) A recognition certificate as a builder qualified to carry out the scope of work for the licence class; or

d) A qualification or statement of attainment of required competency for the class of licence.

• For the site supervisor portion of the licence, you need any one of the following:

a) The technical qualification stated above; 

b) Successful completion of the following units of competency: 

• CPCCBC4001
• CPCCBC4053
• CPCCBC4002
• CPCCBC4007
• CPCCBC4008
• CPCCBC4009 
• CPCCBC4010
• CPCCBC4012
• CPCCBC4018, and 
• BSBLDR414; or

c) Successful completion of a course or units of competency for a course the Commission considers is at least equivalent to the units of competency mentioned in paragraph b). 

Other requirements 

You will need to provide written references from three builders who can confirm your supervisory experience. 

You may be required to provide information or make a declaration that shows you meet the minimum financial requirements (minimum net tangible assets) to ensure your business is financially sound and stable.  

Licence Body contact details

Queensland Building and Construction Commission

PH: 139 333 (8:30am-5pm, Mon-Fri)

www.qbcc.qld.gov.au

299 Montague Road, West End QLD, 4101

HIA Training options

HIA offers a range of qualifications that can help you to achieve a licensing outcome, to discuss this more please contact us on 1300 650 620 or email learning@hia.com.au.

Building Works Supervisor Registration

In South Australia the licence category you need is a Building Works Supervisor Registration.

Experience

You will need to provide a detailed work history of practical experience at the level of registration the applicant is applying for.

Technical qualifications

Applicants for building work contractor licences that include one or more of the following standard conditions will be required to undertake additional study:

• Any building work
• Additions
• Additions limited to residential National Construction Code Class 1 and 10
• Alterations
• Alterations and renovations
• Residential building work limited to National Construction Code Class 1 and 10
• Transportable building construction and installation.

An applicant must show their successful completion of six of the following units of competency issued by a Registered Training Organisation:

1. BSBESB407 Manage finances for new business ventures; or

BSBSMB421 Manage small business finances; or

BSBESB403 Plan finances for new business ventures; or

BSBSMB402 Plan small business finances; or

BSBESB401 Research and develop business plans; or

BSBSMB404 Undertake small business planning.

and

2. CPCCBC4009 Apply legal requirements to building and construction projects; or

CPCCBC4009B Apply legal requirements to building and construction projects; or

BSBESB402 Establish legal and risk management requirements of new business ventures; or

BSBSMB401 Establish legal and risk management requirements of small business.

and

3. CPCCBC4007 Plan building and construction work; or

CPCCBC4007A Plan building or construction work.

4. CPCCBC4004 Identify and produce estimated costs for building and construction projects; or

CPCCBC4004A Identify and produce estimated costs for building and construction projects.

5. CPCCBC4003A Select and prepare a construction contract.

6. CPCCBC4024 Resolve business disputes; or

CPCCBC4024A Resolve Business Disputes.

If the builder currently holds a building work contractor licence or plumbing, gas fitting or electrical contractor licence and has successfully completed the following units of competency, they only need to show they have completed four of the following units of competency:

1. CPCCBC4007 Plan building and construction work; or

CPCCBC4007A Plan building or construction work.

2. CPCCBC4004 Identify and produce estimated costs for building and construction projects; or

CPCCBC4004A Identify and produce estimated costs for building and construction projects.

3. CPCCBC4003A Select and prepare a construction contract.

4. CPCCBC4024 Resolve business disputes; or

CPCCBC4024A Resolve Business Disputes.

Licence Body contact details

South Australia Consumer and Business Services

PH: 131 882 (8am-4:30pm, Mon-Fri)

www.cbs.sa.gov.au

Consumer and Business Services, GPO Box 1719, Adelaide SA, 5001

HIA Training options

HIA offers a range of qualifications that can help you to achieve a licensing outcome, to discuss this more please contact us on 1300 650 620 or email learning@hia.com.au.

Builder - Domestic, Builder - Low Rise, Builder - Medium Rise and Builder Open

In Tasmania the licence category you need is Builder - Domestic, Builder - Low Rise, Builder - Medium Rise and Builder Open.

Experience

Builder - Domestic, Builder - Low Rise and Builder - Medium Rise

With a building trade qualification, for example in carpentry, bricklaying, etc - You will need a minimum 2 years’ practical experience in the scope of work you are applying for.

Without a trade qualification - You will need a minimum 4 years’ practical experience in the scope of work you are applying for.

However, a Builder Open with a building trade qualification for example in carpentry, bricklaying etc – You will need 3 years’ practical experience in the scope of work you are applying for.

Without a trade qualification - You will need a minimum 6 years’ practical experience in the scope of work you are applying for.

Technical qualification

As well as 2 to 6 years’ practical experience in the construction industry you will need to have the following qualification:

• CPC40110 Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Building)
• CPC50220 Diploma of Building and Construction (Building); or
• CPC60220 Advanced Diploma of Building and Construction Management.

Licence Body contact details

Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (CBOS)

PH: 1300 654 499 (9:00am-5:00pm, Mon-Fri)

www.cbos.tas.gov.au/

Consumer, Building and Occupational Services, PO Box 56, Rosny Park Tas, 7018

HIA Training options

HIA offers a range of qualifications that can help you to achieve a licensing outcome, to discuss this more please contact us on 1300 650 620 or email learning@hia.com.au.

Domestic Builder Registration

In Victoria a building licence for residential builders is called Domestic Builder Registration. To build a complete home or carry out significant residential building work you need a Domestic Builder (Unlimited) Registration. To carry out a single trade and work for consumers you usually need a Domestic Builder (Limited) Registration. A Domestic Builder (Limited) Registration may also be used by builders who install kitchens, bathrooms and laundries or build non-habitable structures such as sheds.

Experience

To be registered as a Domestic Builder in Victoria you need to prove that you have sufficient practical experience within the seven years before applying for registration to the satisfaction of the VBA. An applicant for registration as a Domestic Builder (Unlimited) needs to prove they have at least 3 years practical experience and an applicant for registration as a Domestic Builder (Limited) needs to prove at least 2 years practical experience. This practical experience usually needs to be well-rounded and include experience with quotes and contracts, obtaining building approvals, engaging workers, resolving problems, and having work completed and handed over.

Qualifications

There is often confusion about the rules for getting Domestic Builder Registration in Victoria. When applying for builder registration in Victoria it is important to understand that while there are prescribed qualifications an applicant may show they have equivalent skills and qualifications without necessarily having the exact prescribed qualifications.  Also, a qualification, even a degree or diploma, is not by itself sufficient to obtain registration.

In practice, many applicants for builder registration, including as a Domestic Builder (Unlimited), have a CPC40120 Certificate IV in Building and Construction and demonstrate to the VBA by exams and assessments that they have the equivalent skills and experience to the prescribed qualifications. It for this reason that many potential builders seeking registration undertake the CPC40120 Certificate IV in Building and Constructioncourse and do not necessarily obtain a degree of diploma that at first glance seems to be required to be registered as a Domestic Builder (Unlimited).

Licence body contact details

The regulator in Victoria that registers builders is the Victorian Building Authority (VBA).  Its website has more information about the requirements for registration.

PH: 1300 815 127 

HIA registration mentoring

HIA offers our Victorian members an assistance program called the Builder Registration Mentoring Service. This provides you with the support and information you need to successfully apply for your Domestic Builder Registration.  For more information about the Building Registration Mentoring Service please contact us on 1300 650 620 or email builder.registration@hia.com.au.

HIA Training options

HIA offers a range of qualifications that can help you to achieve a licensing outcome, to discuss this more please contact us on: 

T: 1300 650 620

E: learning@hia.com.au

Building Practitioner Registration

In Western Australia the licence category you need is a Building Practitioner Registration.

Experience

You are eligible to apply for registration as a builder if you have completed the Board’s prescribed course of training and accumulated at least 7 years’ practical experience in the work of a builder, or as a supervisor of building work.

The Board may want to interview you to verify your claimed experience and, under some categories of registration, want you to do written assessments showing your competency in the areas of building construction, quantities/estimating, financial, contractual and legislative aspects of building.

Technical qualifications

As well as 7 years’ practical experience in the construction industry you will need to have the following qualifications:

• C50210 Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) as described in the CPC08
• Construction, Plumbing and Services Training Package published by training.gov.au including the following units:
• CPCCBC4005A
• CPCCBC4018A
• CPCCBC5005A
• CPCCBC5007A
• CPCSUS5001A
• CPCCBC4014A
• CPCCOHS1001A

Licence Body contact details

Western Australia Building Commission

PH: 1300 489 099

www.commerce.wa.gov.au/building-and-energy

Email: be.licensing@dmirs.wa.gov.au or ownerbuilders@dmirs.wa.gov.au

Office address: Level 1, 303 Sevenoaks Street Cannington, WA 6107

Postal address: Locked Bag 100, East Perth, WA 6892

HIA Training options

HIA offers a range of qualifications that can help you to achieve a licensing outcome, to discuss this more please contact us on 1300 650 620 or email learning@hia.com.au.