Builders Licence Requirements
Explained Simply
Every state has different rules, regulators, and paperwork. We cut through the confusion and get your application done right — the first time.
South Australia
Regulated by Consumer & Business Services (CBS)
South Australia has one of the most structured builders licence processes in the country. Unlike most other states, SA requires almost every applicant to sit a technical interview before a licence is issued — regardless of your qualifications or experience. The fail rate on these interviews ranges from 40–80%, depending on the conditions applied for.
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Supervisor + Building Contractor
You must hold a supervisor licence before you can become a contractor
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2–5 years under a licensed builder
Depends on licence conditions and whether you hold an apprenticeship
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Cert IV Building & Construction
Required for general builders. Some restricted conditions require only 2 business units
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Mandatory for almost all conditions
Based on Schedule 2 Registration Performance Criteria — preparation is essential
6 step process (SA)
our team is trained to support you with this process.
SA-Specific Update (October 2023): General building supervisor applicants now need a minimum of 4 years experience (with an Australian construction apprenticeship) or 5 years (with only a Cert IV). Restricted condition applicants must list the licence number of their supervising builder.
Common SA licence conditions include: Residential Building Work (1–4 storeys), Additions/Alterations/Renovations, Bathroom Renovations, Handyman (Non-structural), Pergolas/Verandahs/Carports, Painting & Decorating, Fencing, Paving, Concreting, and Civil Construction — each with its own experience and interview requirements.
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We advise you on exactly which licence conditions suit your experience. Only applying for conditions you can demonstrate across 5+ site addresses is critical — we guide this decision for you.
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Once you supply your work history details, we prepare the CBS-preferred work history template on your behalf. From 1 October 2023, restricted conditions require the licence number of your supervising builder — we know exactly what's needed.
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We advise on the right training provider for your contractor business units (restricted) or Cert IV units (general builders) and ensure you're enrolled in the correct course for CBS requirements
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We provide you a direct link to an approved online provider ($49) so it's done quickly and correctly.
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Your complete application, including all government forms, is prepared and submitted by us. You don't touch the red tape.
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We provide specific highlighted study materials, explain what to prepare, and guide you on the interview process so you walk in confident. General builders: we also assist with the mandatory QBE Builders Warranty Insurance application.
New south wales
Regulated by NSW Building Commission (formerly Fair Trading)
In NSW, a builder's licence is required for any residential building work valued over $5,000 (including GST). The NSW Building Commission (which replaced Fair Trading on 1 January 2025) issues three main credential types: a Contractor Licence, a Qualified Supervisor Certificate, and an Endorsed Contractor Licence which combines both.
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Contractor Licence / Qualified Supervisor
Endorsed Contractor Licence combines both
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Minimum 2 years
Obtained within the last 10 years, across a wide range of building work
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Cert IV Building & Construction
Or Cert III in Carpentry/Bricklaying + Cert IV combination
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Typically 15–25 business days
Incomplete applications are the #1 cause of delays
5 step process (NSW)
our team is trained to support you with this process.
Once licensed in NSW, you must complete 12 CPD points annually and maintain records. Failure to comply can result in loss of licence.
Single-trade experience is not sufficient for a NSW general builder's licence — you must demonstrate broad construction knowledge across multiple stages of a residential build.
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We assess whether you need a Cert IV (CPC40120), a Cert III in Carpentry/Bricklaying combination, or a Diploma for more complex work. If you don't yet have your qualification, we support the RPL process to get it faster.
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Experience must span a broad range of construction activities. We structure this correctly so nothing is missed.
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Your supervising builders must complete official NSW Building Commission referee statement forms listing site addresses and DA numbers. We guide referees through exactly what's required so there are no delays.
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Identity documents, certified qualifications, experience forms, referee statements, and financial details — all compiled and checked by us before anything is lodged.
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We handle the submission to Service NSW, track progress, and respond to any requests for additional information so your application doesn't stall.
Victoria
Regulated by Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC, formerly VBA)
Victoria requires registration (not just a licence) through the Building and Plumbing Commission, formerly the Victorian Building Authority (VBA). Registration is mandatory for any domestic building work over $10,000, any work requiring a building permit, or work involving reblocking, demolition, or removal of a home regardless of cost.
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Domestic Builder (Limited / Unlimited) / Commercial
30 classes of domestic building work registration available
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Minimum 3 years
Verifiable, documented experience — submitted as a detailed project portfolio
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Diploma of Building & Construction preferred
Cert IV is NOT a prescribed course in VIC — a BPC exam may be required
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Interview + possible written exam
BPC reviews qualifications, experience, and conducts a panel interview
5 step process (vic)
our team is trained to support you with this process.
Important VIC Note: A Certificate IV in Building & Construction is NOT a prescribed course for any class of registration in Victoria. The BPC may accept it as supporting evidence, but applicants without the Diploma may be required to sit an additional BPC exam. The Diploma (CPC50220) is the recommended pathway.
Registration lasts up to 5 years and can be renewed. Victoria also registers companies as building practitioners, which requires a nominated individual registrant as director or employee.
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For Domestic Builder – Unlimited, the Diploma (CPC50220) is the primary qualification. If you don't hold it yet, we support your RPL application to achieve it based on your existing experience.
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The BPC requires detailed records of 3+ recent projects (within the last 7 years). We structure your project portfolio with the correct evidence of your specific role, scope, and responsibilities.
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We work with your referees to ensure their statements confirm your experience in the relevant building registration class in a format the BPC accepts.
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All BPC portal documentation, fit and proper person declarations, and supporting evidence is compiled and lodged by us on your behalf.
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The BPC assesses practical knowledge, project management, and understanding of Victorian building regulations. We make sure you're ready.
QUEENSLAND
Regulated by Queensland Building & Construction Commission (QBCC)
In Queensland, any building work valued over $3,300 (including labour, materials, and GST) requires a QBCC licence. The QBCC offers three main builder licence classes — Builder Restricted, Builder, and Builder Open — each with progressively higher requirements.
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Builder Restricted / Builder / Builder Open
Open licence covers all residential and commercial work
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2 or 4 years
2 years if you hold a Cert III trade; 4 years if you don't
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Cert IV / Diploma / Advanced Diploma
Qualification level depends on the licence class applied for
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Minimum financial assets required
Must demonstrate financial viability for the scope of work
5 step process (qld)
our team is trained to support you with this process.
QLD-Specific Note: Company nominee requirements — the person nominated as your company's qualified supervisor must be an employee, secretary, or director of the company, and must personally hold the licence class being applied for.
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Builder Restricted (Cert IV), Builder (Diploma), or Builder Open (Advanced Diploma). We assess your current qualifications and experience and map the fastest pathway to the class you need.
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We prepare the QBCC Builder and Designer Experience Form on your behalf, correctly detailing your supervisory, administrative, and management activities across each project.
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Builder and Builder Open classes require 3 referee reports from 3 different licensed builders. We guide your referees through exactly what to include so reports are accepted first time.
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The QBCC requires evidence of minimum net assets. We advise you on exactly what's needed and compile these documents correctly.
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We lodge with the QBCC and stay on top of any follow-up requests so your 6–8 week processing window isn't extended by avoidable delays.
wESTERN aUSTRALIA
Regulated by the Building Services Board (via Building and Energy)
Western Australia has some of the strictest builder registration requirements in the country. Building work over $20,000 requires registration, and WA is unique in that there is no experience-only pathway — you must hold the Diploma qualification regardless of how long you've been working in the industry.
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Building Practitioner / Building Contractor
Contractor licence also requires financial and business competency evidence
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7 years full-time
Carrying out or supervising building work — one of the highest thresholds in Australia
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Diploma of Building & Construction (mandatory)
No experience-only pathway exists — the Diploma is non-negotiable
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Board interview + written assessments
Covers construction, quantities/estimating, financial, contractual & legislative areas
4 step process (wa)
our team is trained to support you with this process.
The Building Services Board may conduct a formal interview to verify your claimed experience, and in some registration categories will require written assessments demonstrating competency across construction, estimating, financial management, contracts, and legislation. Preparation is critical.
If you are already registered in another Australian state or New Zealand, a mutual recognition pathway may be available to gain WA registration without reapplying from scratch. Contact us to assess your eligibility.
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The Diploma of Building & Construction (CPC50220) is mandatory in WA — no exceptions. If you don't hold it, we support your RPL application through an ASQA-registered RTO to achieve it based on your existing site experience.
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We structure your experience evidence correctly across building, supervision, and contracting roles in the format the Building Services Board requires.
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Building Practitioner (named on permits) or Building Contractor (direct contracts over $20,000 with clients). We assess your situation and ensure you apply for the correct category.
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All documentation, financial capacity evidence (for contractor registrations), and supporting materials compiled and submitted by us. Most WA applications are decided within 14 weeks when submitted correctly.
Tasmania, Northern Territory & ACT
Each territory has its own building regulator and requirements
Tasmania, the Northern Territory, and the ACT each maintain their own builders licence frameworks. Requirements are generally less complex than the other states, but qualifications and experience must still be demonstrated.
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Regulated by the Building and Plumbing Commission (TAS)
Requires Cert IV or Diploma + relevant experience. Mutual recognition applies from other states.
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Regulated by NT Worksafe / Construction Industry
Builder registration required for work over a set threshold. Qualifications and experience required.
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Regulated by Access Canberra
Builders must hold a licence through Access Canberra. Cert IV minimum, with experience evidence required.
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Board interview + written assessments
Covers construction, quantities/estimating, financial, contractual & legislative areas
Australia's Automatic Mutual Recognition (AMR) scheme means that in most cases, if you hold a licence in one state, you may be able to work in another state without a separate application. However, specific conditions apply and not all licence classes are covered. Contact us to discuss your situation.
ready to get your builders licence?
We handle the RPL qualification support and the full licence application paperwork — for every Australian state. No confusion, no delays, no missed documents.