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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To be eligible for a builder’s licence in Queensland you will need to complete one of the following qualifications:
For builders in Queensland, there are different classes of builder licences depending on the type of construction work you plan to do:
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.
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!
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.
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.
To become a builder in NSW, you need to complete an accredited qualification, such as either a:
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:
There are three primary types of builder licences in NSW:
You'll need to apply for your builder's licence through NSW Fair Trading. This will require you to:
Then you will receive your licence, allowing you to legally perform building work in NSW!
To qualify for a builder's licence in SA, you need to complete the relevant qualifications, including either a:
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:
To apply for a building work contractor's licence in SA, follow these steps:
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.
To qualify for a builder's licence in Victoria, you need to complete one of the following courses:
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.
There are various types of builder registrations in Victoria, including:
Pick carefully! There are strict limitations on the type of work each licence type can legally carry out.
To apply for registration, you need to:
Registered builders in Victoria must have the appropriate insurance cover, including:
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:
Include the following supporting documents when you apply for a builder’s license in Tasmania:
To qualify for a builder’s registration in NT, you need to complete courses such as:
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
There are several categories of builder registrations in NT:
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.
To legally work as a builder in NT, you need to register with the Building Practitioners Board (BPB). The registration process involves:
Ensure you have appropriate insurance coverage, such as public liability insurance and, for residential projects, home warranty insurance.
To be eligible for a builder's licence in WA, you generally need to complete one of the following courses:
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.
WA offers different classes of builder licences depending on the type of work:
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.
The registration process is managed by the Building Services Board under the Building Commission. The steps include:
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.
To get a builder's licence in the ACT, you need to complete relevant qualifications, such as:
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.
The ACT offers several classes of builder licences:
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.
To apply for a builder’s licence, you need to:
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!
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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