HowTo Get Your Builder’s License
Did you know a building license is required when undertaking certain projects? Anyone completing building works without a license puts both themselves and their clients at significant risk.
In Australia, to work as a builder or tradesperson you must be registered or possess a license. The laws do vary depending on which state or territory you are located in. Before applying for your license there are a number of requirements necessary to gain your license. Select your state below for more information on how to get your builder’s license.
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What it takes to become a Stratco Authorised Outback® Dealer or Installer
We're looking for:
- Relevant building or instillation experience preferred
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- A willingness to learn
- A current ABN
In order to become an Authorised Stratco Outback® Dealer you must also possess a builder’s licence. In Australia, each state has different levels of requirements to become licensed. Education, experience, financial recourses, and number of references are factors which can all impact your ability in gaining your license.
It is important to understand what is required before committing to the process to save you time and frustration in the long run.
Building License Requirements by State
ACT Builders Licence
There are four types of builder’s licence type in the ACT: A, B, C and D.
- Class A Builder (unlimited)
- Class B Builder (medium rise)
- Class C Builder (low rise/residential)
- Class D Builder
The licence class you select will depend on the types of building work you conduct. You must meet a range of different requirements before you can apply for any class of licence.
Qualifications
- Class A Builder – A Bachelor’s degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Master’s degree, or Doctoral degree in Building
- Class B Builder – Diploma of Building and Construction (Building)
- Class C Builder –Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Building) or Diploma of Building and Construction (Building), and a written examination.
- Class D Builder – No formal qualifications required.
Experience
- Class A Builder – Minimum of 2 years’ full-time experience. 1 year of that experience must have been completed after your qualification was issued.
- Class B Builder – Minimum of 2 years’ full-time experience. 1 year of that experience must have been completed after your qualification was issued.
- Class C Builder – Minimum of 2 years’ full-time experience. 1 year of that experience must have been completed after your qualification was issued.
- Class D Builder – 3 years’ full-time experience
For more information, view the ACT Government Department of Environment and Sustainable Development website.
NSW Builders License
Experience
- You must have a minimum of 2 years’ experience working in a range of building and construction sectors
You can gain experience as:
- An employee under the supervision of a licensed builder
- As a sub-contractor who is appointed the supervisor of a company or partnership contractor license
- As a sub-contractor who holds an endorsed individual contactor license
To support your application your experience must also be paid work.
This experience does not need to be completed all at one time however you will need to show that you have had 2 years’ full-time experience over a maximum of 10 years.
The builder/s who provide references for your experience must also be fully licensed and have held a Qualified Supervisor Certificate or Individual Contractor License in the class of General Building Work issued by NSW Fair Trading at the time of your experience.
Qualifications
You will require a Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Building).
You will also need at least one of the following:
- a current carpentry or bricklaying contractor licence or qualified supervisor certificate.
- Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) BCG50206 or CPC50208.
- Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) CPC50210
- Bachelor of Housing from an Australian university or a degree in civil engineering, structural engineering, architecture, housing, construction, construction management, construction project management, construction economics, applied science (building) or quantity surveying from an Australian university.
- Degree in Building, Construction, Construction Management, Construction Economics, Applied Science (Building), or Quantity Surveying.
For more information on applying for a NSW builders license visit NSW Fair Trading.
NT Builders Licence
The Northern Territory has several different licence types including:
- Building Contractor Residential (Restricted)
- Building Contractor Residential (Unrestricted)
Requirements
- You must possess a Certificate IV in Building and Construction.
- A minimum of 3 years’ experience
- Financial information proving that you meet the minimum financial requirements
- Must not have been disqualified from practising trade, occupation, or business in Australia
For more information, visit the Northern Territory is the Building Practitioners Board.
QLD Builders License
Queensland has several builders’ licences to choose from. The requirements below will depend on what license you choose.
Requirements
- Between 2 - 4 years of experience
- Formal qualifications related to the class of licence you are applying for
- Three written references
- Be able to demonstrate possession of sufficient financial resources
- If contracting under a trading name, a current copy of your Record of Registration from ASIC
- If contracting under a partnership – proof of the business partnership
For more information on license types and conditions, visit the Queensland Building and Construction Commission website.
SA Builders Licence
SA has several builder licensing pathways however the two main types are:
- Contractor
- Supervisor
Within those licenses you will need to select which building and construction specialty you will operate under. Each specialty will have different requirements and levels of experience.
Requirements
- Experience (the number of years will depend on licence type)
- A National Police Check
- Be able to demonstrate possession of sufficient financial resources (this will depend on which licence, often ranges between $10,000 to $100,000 in net assets)
- Must not have been disqualified from practising trade, occupation, or business in Australia
For more information about a South Australian builder’s licence, visit the SA Government’s website.
TAS Builders License
Tasmania also has a variety of classes of builder’s licenses. Builder accreditation is divided into four categories:
- Builder
- Construction Manager
- Fire Protection Services Builder
- Demolisher
There are three classes within each category:
- Low rise
- Medium rise
- Open
Qualifications
- Low rise –Certificate IV Building and Construction (Building).
- Medium rise – Diploma Building and Construction (Building).
- Open – Advanced Diploma of Building and Construction Management or a Degree in Building.
Experience
- Low rise – 2 years with a building trade qualification; 4 years without a building trade qualification.
- Medium rise – 2 years with a building trade qualification; 4 years without a building trade qualification.
- Open – 3 years with a building trade qualification; 6 years without a building trade qualification.
References
- Two detailed references from accredited practitioners or industry professionals
You will also need:
- Insurance
- Financial information proving that you meet the minimum financial requirements.
- Applicants may also be required to attend an interview.
For more information view the Department of Justice (Tasmania) website.
VIC Builders Licence
In Victoria a builder’s license is referred to as a builder’s registration.
There are a variety of different types of builder registrations, it is important to understand exactly which registration type you would like to apply for as you may be limited to certain work sites and projects. The most common types of registration include:
- Domestic Builder (Limited)
- Domestic Builder (Unlimited)
- Domestic Builder (Manager)
- Commercial Builder (Limited)
- Commercial Builder (Unlimited)
Requirements
For each type of registration, you will need to meet the following criteria:
- Have a minimum of 3 years’ full-time experience in the building registration category you are applying for (commercial, domestic, etc.)
- Complete an application form with proof of experience, etc.
- Undergo a written test and often in some cases an interview.
- Have a thorough knowledge of the national building codes.
For more information and the full list of registration, visit the Victorian Builder’s Association website.
WA Builders License
WA has several licence types, the main two include:
- Licensed Building Practitioner
- This registration is for individuals only
- Licensed Building Contractor
- This registration is for individuals, partnerships, and companies
Within these categories there are several sub-categories of license type.
Requirements
To apply for either license type you must meet the following criteria:
- Between 5-7 years of experience (depending on the license type)
- Formal qualifications related to the class of licence
- References
- You must have not been disqualified from practicing trade, occupation, or a business in Australia
- Can demonstrate possession of sufficient financial resources
For more information, visit the Western Australia Building Commission.