To work as a builder in Australia, you need to either be registered or have a builders licence. To qualify for either of these things, you need a combination of education and experience – something you can only get through on-the-job training and studying theoretical building and construction courses. 

Getting a builders licence in Australia is dependent on several factors; being the state you live in, and the courses you need to complete, which depends on which career path you’d like to pursue. 

Let’s dig a little deeper and look at how to get a builders licence in Australia, and what courses you’ll need to help you prepare.

Different States, Different Requirements

In Australia, each state has different requirements for builders who are wanting to get registered or licenced. Before you begin looking into training, it’s best to understand what these requirements are.

For the purposes of this article, we’ll stick with how to get a builders license in NSW. If you’re looking for information about other states, you’ll need to check with the relevant regulatory office.

In NSW, you must be registered with Fair Trading NSW to:

• Perform domestic building work that costs more than $5,000
• All specialist work regardless of cost

Keep in mind there are different types of building licences (also called registrations) to consider. The main ones include:

• Domestic Builder (Low Rise) 
• Domestic Builder (Medium Rise)
• Domestic Builder (Manager)
• Commercial Builder (Limited)
• Commercial Builder (Unlimited).

If you’re wondering how to get a builders licence—whatever category you’re interested in—you’ll need the right level of experience, skills and education. This is where we can help.

Studying the Right Courses

As we’ve mentioned, to get registered or licenced you’ll need a solid combination of on-site work experience and education. For most builders, this usually begins with an apprenticeship.

There are a number of different areas you can work in as an apprentice, depending on where your interests are. You can become an apprentice carpenter, bricklayer, joiner, plumber or electrician to name a few. Completing an apprenticeship is the most effective way of gaining hands-on training and experience, alongside theoretical knowledge of your chosen area.

Once you’ve completed your apprenticeship, you can start looking into the courses that will help you prepare for registration and builders licensing—as well as open up your career options.

At CWBTS, our CPC40110 Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Building) covers everything you need to know about planning, preparing and managing residential construction sites.

With a qualification like this, you’ll also gain knowledge in the principles, techniques and regulations of the Australian building and construction industry, so you can confidently apply for your builders license with the VBA. If you need assistance with this, we also run a special Registration Training and Mentoring Program.

When you’re ready to take your career to the next level, it’s worth looking into our CPC50210 Diploma of Building and Construction (Building). The knowledge and training you’ll pick up in this course will help you pursue higher-level roles, such as project supervisor, building manager, construction surveyor or estimator.

Why You Need to Get Qualified

The building and construction industry is constantly evolving. To make sure you don’t fall behind, it’s important to ensure you have the right qualifications to meet builders licensing criteria—no matter where you live in Australia.

When you become a licensed builder, your career really starts to open up. You can find work in a huge number of roles across many areas of the industry, from commercial and residential to agricultural and environmental.

There is also the opportunity to take a leap start your own business. With a builders license, you’ll have more experience and opportunities to make this happen. Not only can you work with your own team and your own clients, you can also earn more money than if you were working under someone else.

Get Ready to Enrol

At CWBTS, our courses are designed and run by some of most experienced people in the industry. We know what it takes to enter a progressive industry, which is why we have a range of courses to choose from—including many online options.

Becoming a registered builder or seeking builders licensing can be a tricky process, with more paperwork than we’d like to admit. By studying with us, you can make the process as convenient and easy as possible, as we support you the whole way.

If you would like to know more about our building and construction courses, and what it takes to get registered or licenced, get in touch today and we’ll walk you through your options. Give us a call on 1300 4 CWBTS or get in touch here.