General Building Licensing Information

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

The process of getting a Builders' license in Western Australia is managed and regulated by the Western Australian Building Commission.

Licencing

Individuals, partnerships and companies that wish to contract with others to provide building work valued over $20,000 must be registered as a 'building contractor' and demonstrate a financial and organisational capacity. Partnerships and companies will also be required to have at least one nominated supervisor who is a registered 'building practitioner'.

License Types

There are several different types of builder’s registration in Western Australia. These include: 

  • Practitioner Registration

Practitioner registration is for individuals. It allows a person to be the nominated supervisor of a registered building contractor and to use the title 'registered building practitioner'.

  • Contractor Registration

Contractor registration is for individuals, partnerships and companies that intend to trade as builders. This registration allows a business to provide services as a builder for work that requires a building permit, has a value of $20,000 or more.

License Application

Practioner Application:

https://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/building-and-energy/building-practitioner-registration

Contractor Application

https://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/building-and-energy/building-contractor-registration

Experience

To become a building practitioner, there are five registration pathways, called ‘sets’, that applicants can register under. Each of these sets requires a particular period and type of experience.

To apply for either license type, generally, you will need experience (between 5 – 7 years), depending on license category being applied for.

A statement of verification is required. This is a written document that outlines and verifies your experience. A statement of verification must include the following details of your experience and be signed and dated by a credible and independent person.

A written examination may be required.

Qualifications

For registration purposes, the Diploma must include the following seven units:

  • CPCCBC4005A – Produce labour and material schedules for ordering
  • CPCCBC4018A – Apply site surveys and set-out procedures to building and construction projects
  • CPCCBC5005A – Select and manage building and construction contractors
  • CPCCBC5007A – Administer the legal obligations of a building construction contract
  • CPCSUS5001A – Develop workplace policies and procedures for sustainability
  • CPCCBC4014A – Prepare simple building sketches and drawings
  • CPCCOHS1001A – Work safety in the construction industry

National Police Check

Nil

Financial Requirements

The Board must be satisfied that an applicant has enough resources to meet its financial obligations as and when they become due. Complete this form or provide a prepared financial statement certified by an accountant.

Building Insurance Requirements

Residential building work over $20,000 must be covered by home indemnity insurance (HII) which protects owners against the risk of losing the deposit or other financial loss if the builder cannot complete the work or meet a valid claim for faulty or unsatisfactory building work because of death, disappearance or insolvency.
 

More Information

For more information on applying for a Western Australian License, or to learn more about the process, visit the Western Australian Building Commission website.