Builders' registration

Building practitioner and contractor registration

Under the Building Services (Registration) Act 2011, only a registered building practitioner or a registered building contractor can perform particular building work. The Building Services Board is the registration authority and is supported in its work by Building and Energy. The legislation has two categories of registration:

• practitioner; and
• contractor.

Practitioner registration is for individuals. It allows a person to be the nominated supervisor of a registered building contractor and to use the title 'registered building practitioner'. A practitioner may not provide building services directly to another person.

Contractor registration is for individuals, partnerships and companies that intend to trade as builders. This registration allows a business to provide services as a builder where the building work: 

• requires a building permit; and 
• has a value of either:
  •  $50,000 or more if the work relates to a Class 10a building (such as a private garage, shed or carport); or 
  • $20,000 or more for other types of building work; and
  • is located within the area of the Building Services Board’s jurisdiction.

After initial registration with the Building Services Board registered practitioners and contractors must renew their registrations every three years.

To determine whether registration as a builder is required to carry out building work, refer to the Do I need to be a registered builder publication.

Privacy Collection Notice 

The Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety (LGIRS) collects personal information for the purpose of:  

• assessing your application 
• verifying your eligibility 
• maintaining licensing records
• undertaking compliance, audit and enforcement functions where required

Your personal information collected is required for the department to comply with the Building Services (Registration) Act 2011, Building Act 2011, Building and Construction Industry (Security of Payment) Act 2020. 

If you do not provide the requested information, LGIRS may be unable to process your application or provide the relevant licence or service required.

Your information may be included in an online licence search, published in a register, shared with other departments at LGIRS, as well as to relevant government agencies, regulatory bodies, local governments, and third parties where authorised or required by law, including for verification, compliance, enforcement, policy, educational or audit purposes.

Please refer to the Privacy Policy on our website for more information about how we handle your personal information, how you can request access to or correction for the personal information we hold about you, and who to contact if you have a privacy enquiry or complaint.