How to Become a Builder in Australia

by Team Tradify, August 11, 2024

Table of Contents

Australia is in desperate need of new builders - the country has some pretty huge goals to build more than 1.2 million homes in under 5 years to meet the growing population. With a solid track record of industry stability, financial security, and growth potential, along with benefits like health insurance, superannuation, and paid training opportunities, it's never been a better time to become a builder in Australia.

To become a builder in Australia you'll need to complete a 'Certificate IV in Building and Construction' or a 'Diploma of Building and Construction' and obtain a 'Construction Induction Card' (White Card). Most employers will also require you to have a driver’s licence. However, each Australian state has specific laws and regulations to become a builder. Check below to make sure you're qualified. 

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Low on time? Skip ahead!

  1. How to become a builder in Queensland (QLD)
  2. How to become a builder in New South Wales (NSW)
  3. How to become a builder in South Australia (SA)
  4. How to become a builder in Victoria (VIC) 
  5. How to become a builder in the Northern Territory (NT)
  6. How to become a builder in Tasmania (TAS)
  7. How to become a builder in Western Australia (WA)
  8. How to become a builder in Australia Central Territory (ACT)

1. How to become a builder in Queensland (QLD)

To be eligible for a builder’s licence in Queensland you will need to complete one of the following qualifications: 

Choose your licence

For builders in Queensland, there are different classes of builder licences depending on the type of construction work you plan to do:

  • Builder—Low Rise
  • Builder—Medium Rise
  • Builder—Open
  • Specialised licences (e.g., for kitchen, bathroom, and laundry renovations)

Select carefully! This licence type will determine what kind of work you can legally do. You can apply for more than one licence at a time, however, each will require proof of specific training and experience. 

Provide proof of experience and finances

You must have completed at least two years of full-time practical experience in the construction industry within the past ten years. This experience needs to be relevant to the class of licence you are applying for and be supported by references from qualified supervisors or licensed builders​. You will also need to meet the minimum requirements for financial solvency. This will be reviewed through your Net Tangible Assets, working capital, profitability, and historical financial performance. You can check if you qualify for a Queensland builder's licence with this 60-second quiz!

Additional requirements

  • White Card: You must hold a current General Construction Induction Card (White Card) to work on construction sites.
  • Age and Residency: You must be at least 18 years old and either an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or hold a valid visa.

Complete the application process

To apply for a builder’s licence:

Processing takes a minimum of 5 months, so ensure all your documents are accurate to avoid delays. The QBCC will also conduct a criminal history check as part of the application process and any relevant convictions may affect your eligibility to obtain a licence.

Get business insurance

Make sure you're protected! Business insurance, such as public liability insurance, is highly recommended for builders in Australia. This insurance protects you and your clients in case of accidents or damages on the job site​.

2. How to become a builder in New South Wales (NSW) 

To become a builder in NSW, you need to complete an accredited qualification, such as either a:

Provide proof of experience and finances

You must have a minimum of two years of relevant industry experience within the past ten years. This experience should be site-based and can be gained as:

  • An employee under the supervision of a licensed builder.
  • A subcontractor contracted to a licensed builder.

Additional requirements

  • White Card: You must hold a current General Construction Induction Card (White Card) to work on construction sites.
  • Age and Residency: You must be at least 18 years old and either an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or hold a valid visa​. 

Choose a licence type

There are three primary types of builder licences in NSW:

  • Contractor Licence: Allows you to contract and advertise your services.
  • Qualified Supervisor Certificate: Permits you to supervise and complete the work specified on your certificate.
  • Endorsed Contractor Licence: Issued to those who qualify for both a contractor licence and a qualified supervisor certificate​. 

Apply for a licence

You'll need to apply for your builder's licence through NSW Fair Trading. This will require you to:

  • Apply: Complete the 'Builder and Designer Experience Form' and the 'Builders Licence Application Form' available on the NSW Fair Trading website.
  • Provide key documents: Include proof of identity, technical qualifications, detailed records of your work experience, and references from licensed builders who supervised your work.
  • Assessment: You will be assessed on your experience and qualifications to ensure you meet the competency requirements for a builder in NSW​.

Then you will receive your licence, allowing you to legally perform building work in NSW!

3. How to become a builder in South Australia (SA)

To qualify for a builder's licence in SA, you need to complete the relevant qualifications, including either a:

Gain experience

You will need a minimum of two years of practical experience in the building and construction industry. This experience should be gained under the supervision of a licensed builder and will need to cover a mix of critical building work, including site management, project planning, and construction practices​.

To gain a Building Work Contractor’s licence,  you must also complete the following additional training courses in order to satisfy the training requirements of Consumer & Business Services:

  • Select and Prepare a Construction Contract
  • Resolve Business Disputes
  • Plan Building and Construction Work
  • Identify and Produce Estimated Costs for Building and Construction Projects

Apply for a building work contractor's licence

To apply for a building work contractor's licence in SA, follow these steps:

Register as a building work supervisor

All building work must be supervised by a registered building work supervisor. You can apply for supervisor registration at the same time as your contractor’s licence. This ensures that you or your business can legally oversee building projects​.

Once you have met all the requirements, submit your completed application to the Consumer and Business Services (CBS) website. The processing time for a Building Work Contractor's Licence in SA is generally 10 to 12 weeks.

4. How to become a builder in Victoria (VIC) 

To qualify for a builder's licence in Victoria, you need to complete one of the following courses:

Gain experience

You must have at least three years of full-time experience in the building and construction industry. This experience should be directly related to the category of registration you are applying for, such as a Domestic Builder (Unlimited) or Commercial Builder. You will need to provide proof of this experience in your application. 

Pick a registration type

There are various types of builder registrations in Victoria, including:

  • Domestic Builder (Limited)
  • Domestic Builder (Unlimited)
  • Commercial Builder (Limited)
  • Commercial Builder (Unlimited)

Pick carefully! There are strict limitations on the type of work each licence type can legally carry out. 

Apply

To apply for registration, you need to:

  • Complete the application form: Available on the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) website. You will also need to submit a 'Technical Referee Report' and an 'Experience Logbook' as part of your portfolio.
  • Pass the registration exam
  • Attend an interview with VBA
  • Submit the required documents: Include proof of qualifications, experience logbook, and insurance documents.

Get insurance

Registered builders in Victoria must have the appropriate insurance cover, including:

  • Public Liability Insurance: This covers the legal costs and compensation if someone is injured or property is damaged due to your work.
  • Home Warranty Insurance: Required for residential building projects over a certain value, covering defects and incomplete work.

5. How to become a builder in Tasmania (TAS)

In order to operate as a building practitioner in Tasmania, you must be registered by the Department of Justice.

Tasmania has three classes for builders, each requiring different qualifications:

Apply

Include the following supporting documents when you apply for a builder’s license in Tasmania:

  • Complete a Building Practitioner Application: This form can be downloaded from the CBOS website. 
    • Provide copies of your relevant educational certificates and a detailed account of your practical experience in the building industry.
    • At least two written references from qualified supervisors or licensed builders who can vouch for your work experience.
    • You must show that you have adequate insurance coverage, such as public liability insurance.

6. How to become a builder in the Northern Territory (NT) 

To qualify for a builder’s registration in NT, you need to complete courses such as:

 Experience

You must have a minimum of three years of practical experience in building and construction. This experience should be relevant to the category of registration you are applying for, such as residential or commercial building work​

Choose your type of registration

There are several categories of builder registrations in NT:

  • Building Contractor Residential (Restricted or Unrestricted)
  • Building Contractor Commercial (Restricted or Unrestricted)

Each category has specific scope limitations and requirements. For example, unrestricted registrations allow you to work on any height of buildings, while restricted registrations will limit you to buildings three storeys or smaller. 

Register with the Building Practitioners Board

To legally work as a builder in NT, you need to register with the Building Practitioners Board (BPB). The registration process involves:

  • Fill out the application form: 
    • Submit a detailed logbook and technical references.
    • Pass a National Police Check.
    • Provide your financial information.

Get insurance

Ensure you have appropriate insurance coverage, such as public liability insurance and, for residential projects, home warranty insurance.

7. How to become a builder in Western Australia (WA)

To be eligible for a builder's licence in WA, you generally need to complete one of the following courses:

Gain experience

You must have at least seven years of practical experience in the building industry. This experience should include supervising or carrying out building work and must be documented and verified by references from qualified professionals or licensed builders.

Pick a type of builder licence

WA offers different classes of builder licences depending on the type of work:

  • Builder – Contractor (BC)
  • Builder – Practitioner (BP)
  • Builder – Restricted (BR)

Each licence type has specific scope limitations and eligibility criteria. Selecting the right licence class is crucial for ensuring you can legally perform the type of construction work you intend to undertake​.

Register

The registration process is managed by the Building Services Board under the Building Commission. The steps include:

  • Submit an application form.
    • Provide supporting documentation: This includes proof of qualifications, detailed records of work experience, and a National Police Certificate.
    • Demonstrate financial capacity: Provide evidence of sufficient financial resources, such as a net asset certificate.

Additional requirements

  • White Card: You must hold a current General Construction Induction Card (White Card) to work on construction sites.
  • Character checks: You must pass a criminal history check and demonstrate good character and financial stability.

If you are already registered as a builder in another Australian state or territory, you can apply for mutual recognition in WA. This process allows you to transfer your existing qualifications and registration to meet WA’s requirements without starting from scratch.

8. How to become a builder in Australia Central Territory (ACT)

To get a builder's licence in the ACT, you need to complete relevant qualifications, such as:

Gain practical experience

You must have at least two years of full-time building work experience for Classes A, B, and C licenses, and three years for a Class D license. This experience is critical for demonstrating your capability and understanding of practical aspects of the building industry.

Pick a type of builder licence

The ACT offers several classes of builder licences:

  • Class A (Unlimited)
  • Class B (Medium Rise, up to 3 stories)
  • Class C (Low Rise, residential, up to 2 stories)
  • Class D (Non-structural work)
  • Owner-Builder
  • Specialist Building Work (e.g., demolition, swimming pool installation)

Pass the exam

For Classes A, B, and C, you need to pass a written examination that assesses your knowledge of building regulations, codes, and industry standards. This exam ensures that you are well-versed in the legislative framework governing building practices in the ACT.

Apply for a licence

To apply for a builder’s licence, you need to:

  • Complete the application form: Available from the ACT Planning and Land Authority.
  • Submit proof of your experience and qualifications: Include detailed records of your work experience and educational qualifications.
  • Provide financial records: Demonstrate that you have sufficient financial resources, through a net assets certificate.

Mutual recognition

If you are already registered as a builder in another Australian state or territory, you can apply for mutual recognition in the ACT. This usually means a much shorter process to getting qualified!

Insurance requirements

You must hold and provide evidence for applicable insurance policies, such as public liability insurance and home warranty insurance for residential projects.

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