Bricklaying

Australia's booming property market has seen an increase in building activity, which has fueled a spiraling demand for bricklayers. You can now pave your way to a successful career in the construction industry, or become a self-employed building contractor. We will show you how to build your future one brick at a time. It all starts with the appropriate registration and bricklaying licence.

About the Bricklaying Licence

Bricklaying is a skilled trade, which requires the tradesperson to know how to prepare the required building materials needed to create a foundation and mix concrete. You must know how to work with different materials, including shaping, polishing and cutting it. A typical bricklaying job will involve:

• surface preparation,
• assembly
• installation
• reinforcement
• and repair.

Each aspect of the project will require knowledge, skills, and experience and a bricklaying licence will set you apart from the competition in your client's' perception.

Qualifications required to obtain a bricklaying licence will include a trade certificate and industry experience. If you don't have formal bricklaying training or education, but you do have several years of experience in the field, you can obtain your formal, nationally recognised qualification via Recognition of Prior Learning.

Do I Really Need a Bricklaying Licence?

Most states and territories will require a bricklaying licence or building practitioner registration, which will ensure that the tradesperson or bricklayer can adhere to Australian quality standards.

In some states or territories, bricklayers must meet certain registration requirements or have concrete licences, while others will require that you register as a building practitioner to complete projects up to a certain value or if certain conditions apply.

A bricklaying licence or registration will help you meet the requirements of the building commission or similar regulating body, to avoid penalties, sanctions and fines. It enables you to advertise, and legally sign contracts and agreements - all of which will help you win bigger contracts to gain leverage in the bricklaying industry.

How to Apply for a Bricklaying Licence

The State or Territory's Building Commission regulates bricklayer's licensing. While the process differs by state, most require certain qualifications, or completion of certain units within the following qualifications:

• Certificate III in Bricklaying/Blocklaying
• Relevant experience

Additionally, evidence of practical experience will be required, and that will be based on the length of time the individual has worked in a relevant role, as well as the type of work performed.

Bricklayers with practical experience may have their experience, knowledge, and skills assessed in order to receive a qualification through RPL instead of having to complete the qualifications again.

Bricklaying Licence in Western Australia (WA)

Western Australia (WA) has no registration or licensing requirements for bricklayers, unless the work is:

• valued at over $20,000,
• carried out in a prescribed state or area,
• or if it requires a building permit.

Unregistered bricklayers may still carry out building work or render a service under the above conditions, provided they work under the supervision or a registered contractor or building practitioner.

Requirements

You will need the following qualifications for the bricklaying or blocklaying licence:

• Certificate III in Bricklaying/Blocklaying or any equivalent technical qualification or trade certification
• 3-4 years of apprenticeship, which includes 2+ years of on-site training.

Basic qualifications required of a building practitioner include:

• Diploma of Building Construction (CPC50210) or equivalent
• Relevant experience

In order to register as an individual, partnership or building contractor company, you must meet the following requirements:

• Organisational and financial capacity
• A nominated supervisor with building practitioner registration
• Compliance with all other requirements

How to Apply

To apply for a registered building contractor licence:

• Complete the application form
• Provide relevant information and supporting documents
• Pay the application and registration fees

To apply for a registered building practitioner licence:

• Submit the appropriate application form based on the set for which you're applying
• Provide relevant information and supporting documents
• Pay the application and registration fees

New Zealand, Interstate & Overseas Recognition

In most cases, interstate licences are mutually recognised by Western Australia (WA), however, the applicant should notify local registration authorities.

Overseas qualifications are not recognised in Western Australia (WA). Anyone who received overseas training or qualifications should apply for a recognition of prior learning (RPL) pathway to have their knowledge and skills assessed by a registered training organisation (RTO).