Understanding Builder's Licences in Victoria
In Victoria, the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) regulates builder's licences. This body sets out the qualifications and practical experience required to obtain a licence, ensuring that all licenced builders have the necessary skills and knowledge to provide high-quality work.
Regulations and Requirements
Once registered, builders are expected to adhere to certain regulations and standards set by the VBA. This includes the requirement that licensed building practitioners to be registered for specific types of work:
- Domestic building work totaling more than $5,000
- Building work requiring a permit, including re-stumping, re-blocking, removing or demolishing, regardless of cost
- Building-related work such as plastering or painting exceeding $5,000
Different Licence Classes
The VBA offers 30 different classes of licences, each tailored to different types of building work. These include:
Domestic Builder - Unlimited
An unlimited domestic builder is responsible for carrying out, or managing or arranging the carrying out of all components of domestic building work for the construction, renovation, improvement or maintenance of a home (class 1, 2, and 4 buildings, and associated class 10 buildings).
Qualification requirements:
- Bachelor of Construction Management and Economics from Holmesglen, or
- Bachelor of Construction Management (Honours) from Deakin University, or
- Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) (CPC50210 or CPC50220).
Project Manager - Domestic
A Domestic Project Manager is responsible for the managing or arranging the carrying out of domestic building work by a registered Domestic Builder. They cannot carry out the work themselves and cannot engage an unregistered builder to carry out the building work.
Qualification requirements:
- Bachelor of Construction Management and Economics
- Bachelor of Construction Management (Honours)
- Graduate Diploma of Construction Management
- Diploma of Building and Construction (Management) (CPC50308 or CPC50320)
Plus Various Domestic Builder - Limited classes
This means being licenced for specific work only, such as Bathroom, Kitchen and Laundry, or Bricklaying and Blocklaying. Each limited class has its own unique responsibilities and limitations, so it's important to choose the one that best aligns with your intended building work.
Course requirements will depend on the type of limited licence.
The VBA may consider other qualifications as equivalent to the above licence requirements, or consider it a part of a full assessment of your skills and experience.
Application Process
To apply for a builder's licence in Victoria, you'll need to complete an application form, provide supporting documents showing your qualifications and experience, and pay an application fee. The VBA provides a comprehensive guide on their website to help you through this process.
For more information
For more detailed information about obtaining a builder's licence in Victoria, visit the Victorian Building Authority, who provide comprehensive guides and resources to assist with the application process.
