In Australia, you must be licensed or registered if you want to be a builder or tradesperson. It is the responsibility of the licensed builder to ensure that the construction is compliant with all local, regional, and national regulations and with worksite safety laws.
Depending on your state or territory’s regulations, residential construction work that you need to have a building licence for might include:
Every state and territory in Australia has its own builder licensing requirements, which range from education and experience to references and financial resources.
Getting the relevant qualifications to meet your state or territory’s regulations is the first step in this process. Maintaining your licence or registration in some states and territories may also require that you attend ongoing training and development.
Here is a summary of builder licensing requirements in each state and territory, as well as links to additional information.
In the ACT, there are five types of builder’s licence classified into Class A, B, C, D and owner-builder. You must hold a relevant qualification, pass the written examination, and have two years’ documented full-time building work experience before receiving a Class A, B or C builder’s licence. Class D requires three years of work experience without holding a qualification and undertaking the examination.
For a full list of definitions, read more here.
Class A, B and C require two years of documented full-time building work experience where one year of full-time experience was undertaken after the date the qualification was issued.
Class D requires three years of documented full-time building work experience.
Classes A, B, and C require 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. You must score at least 80% to pass your exam.
Class D is exempted from examination.
When applying for your builder’s licence in the ACT, you will need to collect your evidence of experience and qualification. Your fees will vary depending on which class you are applying for and whether you apply in-person or online.
| Application Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Individual licence in the construction occupation of Builder Occupation Classes A, B, and C, if the application is made online. | $871.95 |
| Individual licence in the construction occupation of Builder, Occupation Classes A, B and C, if the application is made in person or via post. | $915.55 |
| Individual licence in the construction occupation of Builder Occupation Class D, if the application is made online. | $502.70 |
| Individual licence in the construction occupation of Builder Construction Occupation Class D, if the application is made in person or via post. | $551.95 |
Please note: this information was accurate at the time of publishing. Please check your state licensing body for the most current fees.
ACT Planning and Land Authority – Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate
https://www.planning.act.gov.au/professionals/regulation-and-responsibilities/construction-licences
You need a building licence before you can do any residential building work in NSW valued at more than $5,000 (incl GST) in labour and materials.
A general builder may do any work that is residential building work.
There are different licence types in NSW, but you will need a contractor licence to be a residential builder.
To apply for your NSW builder’s licence you must show at least two years’ relevant industry experience (obtained within the last 10 years) across a wide range of building construction work.
In your documented experience, you must:
‘Experience’ means that you gained the relevant experience as one of the following:
In addition to two years’ relevant industry experience in the construction industry, you must have at least one of the following qualifications:
and including all of the following units:
Plus any of the following:
OR
In New South Wales, the following table of fees show the cost of applying for your licence.
| Application type | One year fee | Three year fee | Five year Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building contractor licence | $800 | $1,498 | $2,617 |
| Tradesperson certificate | $128 | $173 | $298 |
| Owner-builder permit | $211 | – | – |
Please note: this information was accurate at the time of publishing. Please check your state licensing body for the most current fees.
Office of Fair Trading
In the Northern Territory, the licence categories are separated into residential or commercial and restricted or unrestricted. If you’re working as a general residential builder, you’ll likely need a Building Contractor Residential Licence to carry out domestic builds.
You will need at least three years practical experience, gained within the last 10 years, at least one year of which has been gained in the Territory, in carrying out building work for which a building contractor residential (restricted) is a prescribed building contractor under regulation 41B of the Regulations.
To be eligible for this registration as an individual you must:
In the Northern Territory, the following table of fees show the cost of applying for your licence.
| Application Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Individual registration | $1,241 ($310 on application and $931 on approval) |
| Owner builder | $310 |
Please note: this information was accurate at the time of publishing. Please check your state licensing body for the most current fees.
Building Practitioners Board
https://bpb.nt.gov.au/registration
There are three main building licences in Queensland. To obtain a builder’s licence to work on residential builds, the licence category you need is a Builder – Low Rise. This licence category consists of a contractor’s licence and a site supervisor’s licence.
For a full list of the class of buildings and type of constructions, read more here.
If you are qualified in bricklaying/block laying or carpentry, you need a minimum two years’ experience in the licence class scope of work.
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).
For the contractor and nominee supervisor portion of the licence, you will need any one of the following:
For the site supervisor portion of the licence, you need any one of the following:
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.
When applying for a contractor-type licence, the fees you pay are determined by your annual turnover (maximum revenue—MR).
| Max Revenue (MR) Category | Fee |
|---|---|
|
Total application fee—MR up to $800,000 p.a.
|
$861.36—SC2 |
| Total application fee—MR up to $12 million p.a. | $1,104.15—Cat 1-2 |
| Total application fee—MR over $12 million p.a. | $1,587.19—Cat 3-7 |
| Total application fee—nominee or site supervisor | $469.16 |
Please note: this information was accurate at the time of publishing. Please check your state licensing body for the most current fees.
Queensland Building and Construction Commission
https://www.qbcc.qld.gov.au/licences/apply-licence/available-licences/builder
In South Australia, to obtain a builder’s licence to work on residential builds, the licence category you need is a Building Works Supervisor Registration.
You will need to provide a detailed work history of practical experience at the level of registration you’re applying for.
Applicants for building work contractor licences for any building work will need to meet qualification requirements.
An applicant must show their successful completion of six of the following units of competency issued by a Registered Training Organisation:
and
and
If the builder currently holds a building work contractor licence or plumbing, gas fitting or electrical contractor licence, they only need to show they have completed four of the following units of competency:
An application fee must be paid at the time of applying for your builder’s licence.
General building work and supervisor’s registration – $1,037.00
Please note: this information was accurate at the time of publishing. Please check your state licensing body for the most current fees.
You’ll need to include with your application a copy of your National Police Certificate (NPC) no more than 12 months old.
People who do ‘specified building work’ – e.g. bricklayers and carpenters – need to have at least $10,000 in net assets to apply for a contractor’s licence.
South Australia Consumer and Business Services
In Tasmania, the licence category you’ll likely need is a Builder (General Construction). A general builder is responsible for managing or carrying out construction, demolition, alteration, addition, relocation or repair of any building or structure.
Each class of licensed builder is further divided into sub-classes of low rise, medium rise and open. The General Construction class also has a sub-class of domestic. These sub-classes determine the scope of work of licensees.
Builder (Domestic) and Builder (Low Rise)
The qualification requirement for these licences is the Certificate IV in Building & Construction (Building) (CPC40120).
Builder (Medium Rise)
The qualification needed for this licence is the Diploma of Building & Construction (Building) (CPC50220).
Builder (Open)
The qualification needed for this licence are the Advanced Diploma of Building and Construction Management (CPC60220) or a relevant building degree.
As a licence holder, you are required to maintain and develop skills and knowledge through ongoing learning activities known as Continuing Professional Development or CPD.
Read more about your requirements for a builder’s licence in Tasmania here.
Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (CBOS)
In Victoria, a building licence for residential builders is called Domestic Builder Registration.
For the full list of limited licences, find out more here.
A person registered in the class of Domestic Builder (unlimited) is responsible for carrying out, or managing or arranging the carrying out of all components of domestic building work for the construction, renovation, improvement or maintenance of a home (class 1, 2, and 4 buildings, and associated class 10 buildings).
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. There are several sub-classes of limited builders.
To be registered as a domestic builder in Victoria, you need to prove that you have the sufficient practical experience to carry out the tasks of a builder. This practical experience usually needs to be well-rounded and includes experience with quotes and contracts, obtaining building approvals, engaging workers, resolving problems, and having work completed and handed over.
An applicant for registration as a Domestic Builder (Unlimited) needs to prove they have at least three years’ practical experience.
An applicant for registration as a Domestic Builder (Limited) will depend on the area and class of building work wanting to be done, but typically needs to prove at least two to four years’ practical experience.
Along with practical experience, builders wishing to obtain their domestic builder licence also must have certain qualifications. These qualifications differ on the type of work wishing to be undertaken and the level of experience held by the contractor.
Many applicants for builder registration, including 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.
To become a Domestic Builder (Unlimited) you must have one of the following:
Becoming a Domestic Builder (Limited) will depend on the area and class of building work wanting to be done. For example, for a Domestic Builder (Limited to the construction of swimming pools and spas) licence, you would need a Certificate IV in Swimming Pool and Spa Building (CPC40808 or CPC40820). However, if you were after a limited licence such as the Domestic Builder (Limited to bathroom, kitchen, and laundry renovation), you would need a MSF31113 Certificate III in cabinet making.
You can view the full list of limited licences and their relevant qualification requirements here.
When applying for a contractor-type licence the fees you pay are determined by your annual turnover (maximum revenue—MR).
| Application type (Individual) | Fee |
|---|---|
| Domestic Builder (Unlimited) | $956.80 |
| Domestic Builder (Limited) | $765.40 |
Please note: this information was accurate at the time of publishing. Please check your state licensing body for the most current fees.
Victorian Building Authority (VBA)
https://www.vba.vic.gov.au/registration-and-licensing/building-practitioner-registration
In Western Australia, the licence category you’ll likely need is a Building Practitioner Registration.
There are multiple pathways to apply under, each with different requirements. These are called sets and you can choose the set that most closely fits your experience and qualifications. The most common and straightforward pathway, Set 1, will see you needing both:
Find out more about different pathways and sets to get your builder’s licence in Western Australia here.
| Application type (Individual Contractor) | Fee |
|---|---|
| Initial registration – application fee | $259 |
| Initial registration – registration fee (three years) | $500 |
| Renewal of registration fee (three years) | $500 |
Western Australia Building Commission
Please note: This information is subject to change. Be sure to check with the regulating bodies, listed below, for the most up-to-date requirements.
Learn more about a career in the building and construction industry or enquire for a CPC40120 Certificate IV in Building & Construction (Building) to kickstart your journey toward earning a builder’s licence.
