How to get a Builder’s Licence in the ACT

The process of getting a builders’ licence in The Australian Capital Territory is managed and regulated by the ACT Government Department of Environment and Sustainable Development.

This information is current as at 22nd November 2017. Use this link and visit the ACT Governemtn website to check for updated requirements.

There are four types of builders licence classes in the ACT: A, B, C and D.

Each licence class allows the holder to complete different types of building work. Find out more about the ACT builders licence classes here. You must meet a range of different requirements before you can apply for any class of licence.

Qualifications

Class A Builder (unlimited)

A Bachelor degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Masters degree or Doctoral degree in Building

Class B Builder (medium rise)

a)  Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) with a course code of CPC50210, CPC50208 or BCG50206; or
b) a tertiary qualification in Building that the Australian Qualifications Framework Advisory Board has determined is a bachelor degree, graduate certificate, graduate diploma, masters degree or doctoral degree in the Australian Qualifications Framework System.

Class C Builder  (low rise/residential)

a) Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Building) with a course code of CPC40110, CPC40108, or BCG40106; or

b) Diploma of Building and Construction (Building), with a course code of CPC50210, CPC50208 or BCG50206; or

c) a tertiary qualification in Building that the Australian Qualifications Framework Advisory Board has determined is a bachelor degree, graduate certificate, graduate diploma, masters degree or doctoral degree in the Australian Qualifications Framework System.

PLUS a written examination.

Before your license is issued, you must undertake and pass, with a mark of 80% or above, a written examination set by the Construction Occupations Registrar.

Written exams were introduced in May 2016, to ensure applicants have a thorough understanding of the regulatory framework and building processes before they are granted a licence. Exams are held on a monthly basis in the Dame Pattie Menzies building in Dickson. The exams contain questions covering various elements of construction processes and the regulatory framework. Applicants will be able to have two attempts to pass the examination before the licence application is refused. More information on the written exam here.

Class D Builder  –  No formal qualifications required.

In addition to the above qualifications, you must have the following experience:

Experience

The applicant has undertaken and documented, at least 2 years’ relevant industry experience working in a wide range of building construction work. Also, your experience must run across all stages of construction. Specified as:

Building Work Experience: Not less than 2 years full time building work experience where 1 year full time building work experience was undertaken post the date the qualification was issued.  

An initial review of the ACT requirements did not specify what constitutes acceptable experience, however using the requirements of other states as a guide, you can gain these 2 years’ experience:

• As an employee under the supervision of a licensed builder
• As a sub-contractor who is appointed the supervisor of a (company or partnership class) Contractor Licence. Here, your experience will be officially acknowledged only if you are contracted to work for a licensed builder.
• A sub-contractor who holds an Endorsed (individual class) Contractor Licence. Here, your experience will be officially acknowledged only if you are contracted to work for a licensed builder.

Your experience, whether as an employee or as a sub-contractor, must be paid. Unpaid work will not be counted as “experience” and cannot be used to support your application.

You don’t need to have done the 2 years’ experience all in one chunk. If you had a few months in between jobs, that’s fine. However, you need to prove you have 2 years’ full-time equivalent experience over a maximum of 10 years.

The licensed builder/s who provide references for your experience must have held a Qualified Supervisor Certificate or Individual Contractor Licence in the class of General Building Work, during the period of time of your stated experience.

For more information on applying for an ACT Builders’ Licence, or to learn more about the process, call MIBT on 1300 642 457 or visit the ACT Government Department of Environment and Sustainable Development.