Licensing and registration
Builder licence classes, supervisor requirements, CPD, qualifications by state, registration bodies.
73 entries
Building supervisor vs principal contractor in Australian residential construction
A building supervisor is a licensing role tied to who is allowed to run the build. A principal contractor is a WHS role tied to who carries safety duty on a construction project over $250,000.
Carpentry licence in Australia: per-state rules for residential work
Carpentry licensing is set by each state and territory, not federally. Whether a carpenter needs a licence depends on work value, contractor vs employee status, and which jurisdiction the site sits in.
Concreting licence in Australia: per-state rules for residential work
Concreting is a licensed trade in some Australian states and an unlicensed trade in others. The threshold rules, scope of work and penalties for unlicensed concreting differ across NSW, QLD, VIC, WA and SA.
Electrical Licences in Australia: State Comparison and AS/NZS 3000
How residential electrical licensing works across Australian states and territories, AS/NZS 3000 Wiring Rules and restricted electrical licences.
Gas fitting licence in Australia: state regulators, AS/NZS 5601 and compliance
A national overview of gas fitting licensing for residential work, the state regulators that issue gas licences, AS/NZS 5601 as the installation standard and the pressure test and compliance
Landscaping licence in Australia: structural vs decorative work per state
Landscape work splits into structural and decorative buckets in Australia. Structural landscaping is licensed in NSW, QLD and VIC above set thresholds. Decorative gardening generally is not.
Licence Expiry and Scope Drift Risk for Australian Builders
An expired licence or work outside your licence class makes the contract unenforceable. In NSW section 10 stops the builder suing for unpaid claims. In QLD section 42 blocks payment altogether.
Mutual Recognition of Builder Registration Across Australia
The Mutual Recognition Act 1992 (Cth) lets builders registered in one Australian state work in another without re-qualifying. Automatic Mutual Recognition (AMR) extended this in 2021 so that,
Owner-builder permit vs licensed builder in Australia
An owner-builder permit lets a homeowner manage their own residential build, but the legal footprint is nothing like a licensed builder. This entry sets out the NSW $10,000 threshold, the
Roofing licence in Australia: roof plumbing vs roof tiling per state
Roofing in Australia splits into roof plumbing for metal cladding and gutters, and roof tiling for clay or concrete tiles. Each is licensed as a separate trade with different rules per state.
Tiling vs waterproofing licences in Australia: per-state rules
Tiling and waterproofing are treated as separate licensed trades in NSW and QLD, bundled inside one VIC registration class, and regulated through different building practitioner regimes in WA and SA.
Builder licence classes in NSW
In NSW, residential building and trade work over $5,000 needs a licence under the Home Building Act 1989 and Home Building Regulation 2014. Licences run from contractor licences and qualified
Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020 (NSW): registration, declarations and the statutory duty of care
How the Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020 regulates Class 2 residential building work in NSW. Registered practitioner categories, regulated designs and compliance declarations under
How Building Licences Are Cancelled and Suspended in New South Wales
Building Commission NSW can suspend or cancel a contractor licence under s 22 HBA. NCAT reviews decisions. Grounds include serious defects, financial failure and consumer complaints.
NSW Design and Building Practitioners Registration Classes Explained
NSW builders on Class 2, 3 or 9c buildings must register under the Design and Building Practitioners Act. This entry covers each class, the declaration workflow and the 1 July 2026 expansion.
Owner-Builder Permits in New South Wales
A NSW owner-builder permit under s 29 HBA lets an owner do residential work above $10,000 without a licence. Section 95B imposes a 7.5 year sale disclosure. No HBCF insurance.
Owner-builder permits in NSW: when required, who qualifies, and what an owner-builder can do
When NSW owners need an owner-builder permit, eligibility under section 31 of the Home Building Act 1989, training requirements, what the permit does and does not authorise, and the disclosure
Plumbing licence NSW: classes, scope and how to apply
A working guide for NSW plumbers and builders on the licence classes issued by NSW Fair Trading, what work each class covers, the Plumbing and Drainage Act 2011, and the compliance paperwork you
Qualified Supervisor Requirements for NSW Building Contractors
A NSW company or partnership contractor licence must have at least one qualified supervisor. Losing the supervisor without a replacement suspends operational capacity.
Subcontractor licence requirements in NSW: how the contractor licence framework applies to subcontract work
Why there is no separate "subcontractor" licence in NSW, when a subcontractor needs a contractor licence under the Home Building Act 1989, the $5,000 threshold for general building work, the
When You Need a Builder Licence in New South Wales
A NSW contractor licence is required for residential building work with labour and materials above $5,000, plus any specialist work at any value. Owner-builder permit is the DIY route.
Builder registration classes in Victoria
How the Victorian Building Authority (VBA, now Building and Plumbing Commission from 1 July 2025) registers building practitioners under Part 11 of the Building Act 1993. The $10,000 threshold
Domestic Builder Limited vs Unlimited in Victoria
How DB-L and DB-U registrations differ in Victoria. Scope, supervision duties, the rectification responsibilities and the trap of pricing work outside the registration class.
How Building Registrations Are Cancelled and Suspended in Victoria
BPC issues show cause notices under the Building Act 1993 (Vic) and can suspend or cancel builder registration. VCAT reviews decisions. Property Developers layer applies to class 2.
Labour hire licensing Victoria: VLHA registration under the 2018 Act
Who needs a Victorian labour hire licence, how the Labour Hire Authority assesses applications and what happens if you use an unlicensed provider on a residential build.
Nominee Requirements for Victorian Building Company Registrations
A VIC company builder registration under the Building Act 1993 must have a director registered as a domestic builder (manager). BPC oversees the requirement from 1 July 2025.
Owner-Builder Certificate of Consent in Victoria
A VIC owner-builder needs a certificate of consent under s 25B Building Act 1993. Section 137B DBCA imposes a 6.5 year sale restriction with mandatory defects inspection report.
Plumbing licence Victoria: VBA classes and compliance certificates
A practical guide to plumbing licensing in Victoria, the six classes of work registered or licensed by the Victorian Building Authority, the Plumbing Regulations 2018 and the Compliance
VBA show cause notice: how the VIC disciplinary process works
How the VBA show cause process works in VIC. Statutory grounds under section 179, the section 182 notice, the 14 day response window and the disciplinary outcomes the BPC can impose.
When You Need a Builder Registration in Victoria
A Victorian builder registration is required to enter a major domestic building contract over $10,000 under section 29 of the DBCA 1995 (Vic). BPC administers registration from 1 July 2025.
Builder licence classes in Queensland
How the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) licenses residential builders under the QBCC Act 1991. The $3,300 threshold for regulated work, the Builder licence categories
Builder Low Rise vs Medium Rise vs Open Licence in QLD
A side-by-side guide to the three main QBCC builder licence classes. Covers Class 1 to 10 work limits, gross floor area caps and the experience pathways for low rise, medium rise and open licences in Queensland.
How Building Licences Are Cancelled and Suspended in Queensland
QBCC can suspend or cancel a contractor licence under Part 6 QBCC Act. Grounds include MFR failure, defective work and demerit points. QCAT reviews decisions.
Labour hire licensing Queensland: OIR scheme under the 2017 Act
Queensland labour hire licensing under the 2017 Act. How the fit and proper person test, six-month reporting and host duties apply to residential builders.
Nominated Supervisor Requirements for Queensland Contractors
A QLD company contractor licence requires a Nominated Supervisor under Schedule 1A QBCC Act. One supervisor per licence class held. Notification to QBCC within 14 days of change.
Owner-Builder Permits in Queensland
A QLD owner-builder permit under s 42D QBCC Act lets an owner do prescribed building work above $11,000 (excluding own labour). Six year sale disclosure. Mandatory training for higher-value work.
Plumbing licence Queensland: QBCC classes, Form 4 and Form 7
A guide for QLD residential builders on plumbing and drainage licensing through the QBCC, the role of the Department of Energy and Public Works, and the Form 4 Notifiable Work and Form 7
Pool Safety Inspector Licensing and Form 23 Certificates (QLD)
A QLD pool cannot be sold or leased without a current pool safety certificate. This entry covers the QBCC Pool Safety Inspector licence and Form 23 process for residential builders.
QBCC Minimum Financial Requirements and Annual Reporting (QLD)
QBCC licensees in Queensland must meet Minimum Financial Requirements at all times. This guide covers the nine financial categories, annual lodgement and how MFR breaches trigger demerit points.
QLD builder undertakings to the QBCC
QBCC can accept a written undertaking from a licensee instead of disciplinary action. The undertaking is enforceable, contravening it is an offence, and the QBCC publishes accepted ones.
QLD MFR categories SC1 to Cat 7: revenue and NTA
QBCC contractor licensees sit in one of nine financial categories. Each sets a maximum annual revenue cap and a minimum NTA position. Categories run from SC1 to Cat 7.
When You Need a Builder Licence in Queensland
A QBCC licence is required for building work above $3,300. Level 1 regulated contracts run $3,301-$19,999; Level 2 at $20,000+. Owner-builder permit is the DIY route.
How Builder Registrations Are Cancelled and Suspended in Western Australia
Building and Energy can suspend or cancel a builder registration under the Building Services (Registration) Act 2011 (WA). SAT reviews decisions. The Building Services Board handles disciplinary matters.
Nominated Supervisor Requirements for Western Australian Building Contractors
A WA registered builder (contractor) needs a Nominated Supervisor holding individual registration in the same class. Building and Energy oversees the framework.
Owner-Builder Approvals in Western Australia
A WA owner-builder needs an owner-builder approval from Building and Energy before permit work. Section 25F HBCA imposes a 7 year sale restriction without cover. No HII backstop.
Plumbing Licence WA: Plumbers Licensing Board, Tradesperson and Contractor Licences
How plumbing work is licensed in Western Australia under the Plumbers Licensing Act 1995, including the five licence types issued by the Plumbers Licensing Board.
Statutory warranties and builder registration in Western Australia
WA has two intersecting building regimes. Section 11 of the Home Building Contracts Act 1991 implies a narrow defects liability term. The Building Services (Registration) Act 2011 governs builder registration.
WA builder registration categories under the Building Services Board
WA registers builders through the Building Services Board under DEMIRS. Classes carry value caps, nominee rules and three-year CPD obligations. TradeLens flags drift before disciplinary action.
When You Need a Builder Registration in Western Australia
WA builder registration under the Building Services (Registration) Act 2011 is required to carry out or contract for permit work valued at $20,000 or more. Building and Energy is the regulator.
How Building Licences Are Cancelled and Suspended in South Australia
CBS can suspend or cancel a building work contractor licence under the BWCA 1995. Magistrates Court reviews decisions. Grounds include serious defective work and dishonesty.
Labour hire licensing South Australia: CBS scheme under the 2017 Act
How South Australian labour hire licensing works under the 2017 Act, who CBS expects to apply, the 2026 reforms and what residential builders must check before engaging a provider.
Nominated Supervisor Requirements for South Australian Building Contractors
SA building work contractor licences require at least one nominated supervisor holding an individual supervisor licence. CBS notification of change within 28 days.
Owner-Builders in South Australia
SA does not require an owner-builder permit but restricts sale of owner-built homes within 5 years without disclosure. No Building Indemnity Insurance for owner-builder work.
Plumbing Licence SA: Worker Registration and Contractor Licence Through CBS
How South Australia licenses plumbing work under the Plumbers, Gas Fitters and Electricians Act 1995, including the split between worker registration and contractor licence.
SA builder registration: Building Work Contractor and Supervisor categories
SA licenses builders through CBS under the Building Work Contractors Act 1995. Contractors hold the licence and a registered supervisor oversees site work. TradeLens tracks both halves.
When You Need a Builder Licence in South Australia
A SA building work contractor licence under the Building Work Contractors Act 1995 is required to contract for domestic building work as a business. CBS is the regulator. Owner-builder work exempted.
Builder Registration Requirements in Tasmania
Tasmania licenses builders under the Occupational Licensing Act 2005. The Determination sets the licence classes, qualifications, $5 million public liability cover, CPD and renewal.
How Building Practitioner Licences Are Cancelled and Suspended in Tasmania
The Building Practitioners Board can suspend or cancel a licence under the Occupational Licensing Act 2005 (Tas). Magistrates Court reviews decisions. Enforcement uses reprimand, conditions, suspension, cancellation.
Nominated Practitioner Requirements for Tasmanian Building Companies
A TAS company building practitioner registration requires a nominated licensed practitioner responsible for the work. Building Practitioners Board oversees notifications and disciplinary action.
Owner-Builders in Tasmania
Tasmania issues owner-builder authorities under the Building Act 2016. Personal liability for defects under section 32 of the 2016 RBWC Act. No home warranty insurance backstop.
Plumbing Licence Tasmania: CBOS Classes and Requirements
How plumbing licensing works in TAS under the Occupational Licensing Act 2005. Practitioner, Certifier and Contractor classes through CBOS.
When You Need a Builder Licence in Tasmania
Tasmania requires a Building Practitioners Board licence to carry out or contract for prescribed building work under the Occupational Licensing Act 2005. CBOS is the administrative body.
How Construction Occupations Licences Are Cancelled and Suspended in the ACT
The Construction Occupations Registrar can suspend or cancel a licence under Part 5 of the COL Act 2004. ACAT reviews decisions. Property Developers Act 2024 adds a developer layer.
Nominee Requirements for ACT Building Company Licences
ACT company builder licences need a nominee holding an individual licence in the same class. Regulation 22(3) COL Regulation requires notification of any change within 1 business day.
Owner-Builders in the ACT
ACT owner-builders need Access Canberra owner-builder approval. Section 88 warranties (6/2 years) can apply on sale. Owner-builder residential insurance available separately from Master Builders Fidelity Fund.
Plumbing and Drainage Licence ACT: Access Canberra Classes
How plumbing and drainage licensing works in the ACT under the Construction Occupations (Licensing) Act 2004. Issued by Access Canberra.
The Construction Occupations (Licensing) Act 2004 in the ACT
The ACT licenses builders, surveyors and trades under the Construction Occupations (Licensing) Act 2004 (A2004-12). Five builder classes, an 80 per cent exam pass mark and a Registrar who can chase you for 10 years.
When You Need a Builder Licence in the ACT
The ACT requires a Construction Occupations Registrar licence to do building work under the Construction Occupations (Licensing) Act 2004. Statutory warranties and insurance attach at $12,000.
Building Practitioner Registration in the Northern Territory
The NT Building Practitioners Board registers builders, certifiers and engineers under the Building Act 1993. Four builder categories, a $25,000 trigger and commercial registration since 15 April 2025.
Nominated Practitioner Requirements for Northern Territory Building Companies
A NT company builder registration under the Building Act 1993 needs a registered building practitioner as responsible person. Building Practitioners Board oversees the framework.
Owner-Builders in the Northern Territory
NT owner-builders can obtain Fidelity Fund NT cover, unusually for Australia. Consumer guarantees 6/1 years apply on subsequent sale. Cost plus contracting prohibited.
Plumbing Licence Northern Territory: PDLB and Licensing Rules
How plumbing licensing works in the NT under the Plumbers and Drainers Licensing Board and the Water Supply and Sewerage Services Act 2000.
When You Need a Builder Registration in the Northern Territory
The NT requires Building Practitioners Board registration to carry out prescribed residential building work. Fidelity trigger raised to $25,000 from 30 March 2026.