Builders Licence

How do I get a Builders (Contractor's) Licence?

In order to obtain a builders license (building) in NSW, the NSW Fair Trading requires that applicants hold a Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Building) CPC40110 and a formal trade qualification or license in Carpentry or Bricklaying. These conditions are also applicable to structural Engineers and Architects.

For those individuals without formal trade or professional qualifications or a current license in carpentry or bricklaying, the NSW Fair Trading requires that applicants hold both a Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Building) CPC40110 and Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) CPC50210.

Joiners, Plumbers and Wall & Floor Tilers can obtain a builders licence (Kitchen, Bathroom and Laundry renovation) in NSW by achieving a Statement of Attainment which consists of 12 units from the Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Building) CPC40110.

When is this licence required?

You will require this licence if you want to contract, sub-contract and/or advertise to carry out residential building or trade work. Residential building work refers to activities such as construction, making alterations, additions, repairing, or renovating a building or portion of a building used as a dwelling. It also includes work to other structures such as swimming pools and garages. This licence applies to work where the current market value of labour and materials for the total job is over $1,000. A builder may specialise in one or more of the following specialist trade categories of residential building work, as defined in state building legislation: bricklaying, building, building consultancy, carpentry, decorating, demolishing, dry plastering, erection of prefabricated metal-framed home additions and structures, excavating, fencing, flooring, general concreting, glazing, joinery, kitchen, bathroom and laundry renovation, mechanical services, metal fabrication, minor maintenance/cleaning, minor trade work, painting, roof plumbing, roof slating, roof tiling, stonemasonry, structural landscaping, swimming pool building, swimming pool repairs and servicing, underpinning/piering, wall and floor tiling, waterproofing, and wet plastering. Please consult the Contact Officer for more information on this requirement and your obligations under the legislation.