Glazing

Glazing is a crucial part of the rapidly growing building and construction industry. Glazing involves the cutting, installation and removal of glass and other materials used in a variety of different applications, such as windows, entrances, facades, ceilings and storefronts.

Some states grant specific glazing licences for this crucial sector of the building and construction industry, while others licence or register glaziers under the building contractor licence. A proper glazing licence is key to taking full advantage of a career in glazing, and to operate legally in your state or territory.

About the Glazing Licence

A glazing licence gives clients assurance of your skill and a guarantee of the standard of work they can expect. It is also a means for holding building practitioners accountable for their work.

While a glazing licence is not compulsory across parts of Australia, it is recommended that you receive accreditation through a state glazing association. Many such glazing associations share the same benefits and requirements of licensing.

Do I Really Need a Glazing Licence?

A glazing licence is beneficial for glaziers. It assures clients that you are a professional in the field and it allows you to operate legally and freely within your state or territory.

Essentially, the credibility a licence provides will open the door to lucrative employment opportunities.

Applying for a Glazing Licence

Each state has specific requirements regarding the qualifications you need to practice your trade. Firstly, find out if the state in which you want to work issues a specific glazing licence, and find out the requirements. In most cases, you will need to meet the qualifications the state requires of building practitioners.

In most states, a nationally recognised MSF30413 Certificate III in Glass & Glazing (specialising in Glazing) or LMF30611 qualification from a registered training organisation (RTO) or an equivalent qualification will be sufficient. Most often, the following successfully completed qualifications will also suffice:

• Certificate III in Glass, Flat, TAFE course #0109
• Certificate III in Glass and Glazing, TAFE course #2135
• LMF30602 Certificate III in Glass & Glazing
• TAFE Qualification 5792 Certificate III in Glass and Glazing, Trade TAFE course #7958

Most of the qualifications above would require not only glass installation experience, but also manufacturing. Therefore, you should be familiar with the operations within a glass production or manufacturing facility.

Highly experienced individuals who do not have the above qualifications from TAFE, RTOs, or schools, may consider a glazing apprenticeship under a licensed glazier, or pursue an equivalent qualification through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

RPL takes into account your existing skills and experience to help save time, effort and money, while fast tracking your qualification process. It is ideal for individuals who are already working in the industry.

Glazing Licence in Victoria (VIC)

The Victorian Building Authority (VBA) governs the licensing of building contractors in Victoria. Glaziers require a builders licence to perform work exceeding $5000.
Glazing is one of the 29 components that fall under domestic work covered by the Domestic Builder - Limited Class.

Requirements:

Applicants must demonstrate that they have adequate experience and training in order to satisfy assessors when they apply for a Domestic Builder - Limited registration.
The application will have to include a statement of experience, which details proof of experience.

The MSF30413 Certificate III in in Glass and Glazing is a good starting point, as it satisfies some of the technical knowledge required. Applicants who do not have this qualification will be assessed on experience to see how they measure against the certificate's competencies.

How to Apply

The VBA supplies all the necessary forms and mandatory checklists for the Domestic Builder - Limited licence on their website, including the:

• Domestic Builder Registration Application Form,
• National Police Checking Service Informed Consent Form

All completed applications and supporting documents (such as a statement of experience) can be lodged in person, or mailed to the VBA.

New Zealand, Interstate & Overseas Recognition

Professional glaziers with occupational licence or registration in other countries or states are entitled to an equivalent licence in NSW, provided they apply for recognition and pay the required fee, according to the 1992 Mutual Recognition Act (MRA).