Do you know about the builders licence act? In Australia, people now tend to do construction jobs more than before. So, the Australian Government has taken this sector into account.
In this respect, Govt. offers several builders license criteria to choose a suitable one as a profession. To gain this license, builders must complete some requirements per the state’s determination.
However, it is challenging to find all details about builders licence act in one place. So, I’ve shared everything you need to get a builder license in this article. So, let’s dive into the details.
A person who has certain qualities to construct is called a Builder. For construction work around Australia, the builder or tradesman must be licensed or Registered under the Construction Occupation (Licensing) Act 2004.
As a result, builders have to meet the requirements for getting the license in The Australian Capital Territory, which is determined by the Act Government Department of Environment & Sustainable Department.
Before applying for the license, builders will be provided with some alternatives, which are demonstrated in the Construction Occupations (Licensing) (Qualification – Builder & Building Surveyor License) Declaration 2019 – No.2.
For the application, builders need to submit their evidence of qualification according to the class of license requirements. Moreover, applicants must show practical skills and qualifications in construction under Nationally Recognized Training (NRT).
By the way, requirements and experience may vary from state to state. Some of the state’s information is demonstrated below:
The Environment and Planning Directorate issues builder licenses in the Australian Capital Territory.
Generally, four types of builder license classes are available. Such as classes A, B, C & D. Different classes have different roles and regulations. One has to decide which class will suit one’s qualifications. The description of the classes is given below.
In this category, builders can have permission to build of unlimited height on any Builder Code of Australia (BCA).
Academic Qualification Requirement
For class A license, builders must have a Bachelor’s degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Master’s degree, or Doctoral degree in the building.
In this category, builders can build up to 3 storeys. Besides, this license is for basic work of building.
Academic Qualification Requirement
Course code: CPC50220
Only two storeys or lower building work is permitted under this license. Moreover, this building work is a class 1, 2, or 10a building.
Besides, this license allows a building to work with the structure of 10b and includes up to 2 storeys buildings and class 1, 2, or 10a buildings. It is also for basic work building.
Academic Qualification Requirement
Course Code: CPC40120
Course Code: CPC50220
This license is basically for non-structural basic building work.
Academic qualification Requirement
It is comparatively less competitive. There are no formal educational certificates needed.
If builders look forward to applying for classes A, B, and C, they will have to sit for a written exam in addition to the qualifications mentioned.
Passing this exam will robust the existing abilities for getting the license. Examinees will have to secure 80% or more marks to be passed.
This exam started in May 2016. By this exam, builders can prove that they can do construction work with enough sense and stability.
This exam usually takes place every month in the building of Dame Pattie Menzies in Dickson. Applicants are given two opportunities to pass the exam.
Despite having the above qualifications, builders must have specific experience in this field.
There are several criteria for Builder License in the Act to choose from. Among them, Class A Builder License (Unlimited), Class B Builder License (Medium-rise), Class C Builder License (Low-rise), and Class D Builder License are mostly recognized.
Builders need to have the following experience according to the class requirements:
The NSW Department of Fair Trading handles the license issuing process in New South Wales.
Builder needs to have a CPC40120 Certificate IV in Building & Construction and any of the following abilities.
The builder must have two years of industrial construction experience besides educational qualifications. There are several ways a builder can gain a wide range of experience. Such as:
This experience must inevitably be gathered by working through all industrial construction work.
Builders not only have to show a wide range of work experience but also this experience will have to be paid for. Otherwise, the presented experience will be rejected.
The Queensland Building Construction Commission (QBCC) issues this license in Queensland.
There are three types of licenses for builders to apply for. So, requirements are different accordingly. Such as.
To get this Licence, builders need to have any of the following-
Competency units that are required:
CPCCBC4001A, CPCCBC4002A, CPCCBC4007A, CPCCBC4008B, CPCCBC4009B, CPCCBC4010B, CPCCBC4010B, CPCCBC4011B, CPCCBC4012B, CPCCBC4018A and BSBLDR403.
Builders need to have any one of the following:
Competency units that are required:
CPCCBC5001B, CPCCBC5004A, CPCCBC5005A, CPCCBC5006B, CPCCBC5018A, CPCCBC5009A and CPCCBC5010B.
Any one of the following is needed
Competency units that are required:
CPCCBC6001B,CPCCBC6018A, CPCCBC6014A and CPCCBC6016A.
As there are several license types to choose from, builders need to be very meticulous when checking on the QBCC website about the criteria of the application. The experience timeline is demonstrated below.
In the Northern Territory, the process of gaining a builder license is handled and regulated by the Building Practitioners Board.
There are different types of licenses in the Northern Territory. Building Contractor Residential License (Restricted) and Building Contractor Residential License (Unrestricted) are generally recognized.
IV Certificate in Building and Construction (Building) CPC40110 is needed for restricted and unrestricted licenses.
Builders who have previously constructed a new house or townhouse or altered an existing one or units of up to 2 storeys will have to show evidence of 3 years of applied experience for getting the license.
Builders who have previously constructed a new house or altered an existing one that is the height of up to 2 storeys, will have to show evidence of 3 years of applied experience to apply for the Unrestricted License.
Apart from builder licenses, there are more types of licenses such as Owner builder licenses, Commercial builder licenses, Company or Partnership licenses, and so on.
A person who works similarly to a licensed builder to operate construction work at his place is called an owner builder. An owner builder has the full authority to manage and direct all the constructive work.
He doesn’t need to give accountability for taking any decisions. Instead, an owner builder asks others to bring the materials as much as needed and ensures their best use. Sometimes, he works with the employees hand in hand so that the perfect result comes out.
Following permissions are given to an owner builder by the law for the place which he owns:
It is worth mentioning that an owner builder can bring any changes or build a new one, but it is only limited to his premises.
He doesn’t have the right to do any constructive work related to commercial or company areas. Unlike licensed builders, owner builders are not allowed to do industrial work by state law.
Obtaining the license of an owner builder, the person faces both advantages and disadvantages.
Owner builders can use the time properly where a licensed builder shows recklessness. The owner builder doesn’t need to wait for anyone to commence the project.
The owner builder brings all the materials according to the need. As a result, materials don’t waste, so extra costs are cut.
As owner builders work at their place, they keep an eye on each thing. As a result, construction work continues in full swing.
Hiring a licensed builder is costly as per their ability and working criteria. As owner-builders work for their projects, the cost of hiring others is saved.
Owner builders build their homes as per their test. Sometimes, Building up your own house is a dream come true for many people.
So, they always nurture in something new ideas and designs in their mind. Eventually, they transfer it into reality and construct their dream house. It gives them mental satisfaction.
Owner builder doesn’t require academic documents or any other skills as licensed builder needs. So, the owner builder lacks proper knowledge of constructing a building.
The law allows owner-builders to work only in their field. They do not have the right to work in any other industrial or commercial fields.
Due to a lack of proper training and knowledge, owner-builders can make mistakes during construction work.
For gaining an owner builder license, one must have the following capabilities.
The builder who gathers all the elements that are used for the construction work of commercial buildings is called Commercial Builder. To work as a commercial Builder, the person must get the license by filling specific requirements.
Commercial builders do the building work of classes 2-9 and 10b, which are not related to personal housing.
Commercial builders generally do structural and non-structural fit-out work, structural landscaping work, construction of shape structure work, the erection of signs work, etc. The Building Code of Australia classifies all these works.
Building work that a Commercial Builder does
Valuation of the application generally takes four weeks. Besides, more documents can be asked if they feel it is needed for further verification.
They ask for the documents by sending emails to the applicants. They verify all the documents thoroughly, as well as test the authentication of the papers.
All the processes take time as they do not examine in a hurry. So, it is tough to measure the exact time of issuing a License.
Some crucial duties start as soon as builders get the license in hand. Such as
If I have a builder license, I can build a residence, alter the house, add a park or swimming pool, add a small house near the resident, and so on.
All builders will have to be registered or licensed under Australian legislation.
A builder can lose his license in many ways, such as-
How do I get a builders license in Canberra?
To get a builders license in Canberra, you must pass the building permit test and apply. The building permit test is usually assessed by licensed builders or contractors who can provide you with individualized advice on how to prepare for and pass the test. Once you have passed the building permit test, your next step is to apply for a builder’s license. This can be done online via the ACT Government website or local municipal offices.
Once you have obtained your builder’s license, it will allow you to carry out basic construction activities such as: erecting buildings of any type; making alterations, additions, and repairs; cutting trees down; installing gutters and downpipes; mending fences; doing minor painting work etcetera.
So, do you understand all about the builders’ license act?
Worthy of mentioning, you will have to be a registered or licensed builder to do construction work around Australia. All the processes I have mentioned above about getting the licenses state-wise.
I hope you got all your queries. You can also visit the Act Government Department of Environment and Sustainable Department for further information. So, grow your construction career with a builder’s license.