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Builder licence

This category is divided into three classes of licensed builder:

  1. Builder (General Construction) - a general builder responsible for managing or carrying out construction, demolition, alteration, addition, relocation or repair of any building or structure
  2. Fire protection services builder - a specialist builder responsible for managing or carrying out fire protection services work in a building
  3. Demolisher - a specialist builder responsible for managing or carrying out demolition of existing buildings, structures and building work. A demolisher cannot perform any new building work.

Each class of licensed builder is further divided into sub-classes of Low Rise, Medium Rise and Open. The General Construction class also has a sub-class of Domestic. These sub-classes determine the scope of work of licensees.

Eligibility - builder licence

To apply for a builder’s licence you must have a minimum qualification and experience

IMPORTANT: Builders are not yet covered under Automatic Mutual Recognition (AMR) in Tasmania. More information on AMR can be found at Automatic mutual recognition for occupational licences (cbos.tas.gov.au)

IMPORTANT: To apply for a builder’s licence, you must have a minimum qualification and a minimum amount of supervised experience; at least half of this minimum experience must have been gained after the awarding of the minimum qualification and be above the class of any builder licence that you may already have. More information on minimum qualifications, experience and scope of work is detailed in the Occupational Licensing (Building Services Work) Determination 2021 (PDF, 836.0 KB).

Licence categoryQualificationExperience
Builder Domestic Certificate IV in building and construction (building) Two years experience at the same level of responsibility for the scope of work, for applicants with a building trade qualification (carpentry, bricklaying, etc.)
Four years experience at the same level of responsibility for the scope of work, for those applicants without a trade qualification.
Builder (low rise) Certificate IV in building and construction (building) Two years experience at the same level of responsibility for the scope of work, for applicants with a building trade qualification (carpentry, bricklaying, etc.)
Four years experience at the same level of responsibility for the scope of work, for those applicants without a trade qualification.
Builder (medium rise) Diploma of building and construction (building) Two years experience at the same level of responsibility for the scope of work, for applicants with a building trade qualification (carpentry, bricklaying, etc.)
Four years experience at the same level of responsibility for the scope of work, for those applicants without a trade qualification.
Builder (open) Advanced diploma of building and construction management or building degree Three years experience at the same level of responsibility for the scope of work, for applicants with a building trade qualification (carpentry, bricklaying, etc.)
Six years experience at the same level of responsibility for the scope of work, for those applicants without a trade qualification.
Fire protection services builder (low rise) Certificate IV (building fire protection services) Two years experience at the same level of responsibility for the scope of work, for applicants with a building trade qualification (carpentry, bricklaying, etc.)
Four years experience at the same level of responsibility for the scope of work, for those applicants without a trade qualification.
Fire protection services builder (medium rise) Diploma (building fire protection services) Two years experience at the same level of responsibility for the scope of work, for applicants with a building trade qualification (carpentry, bricklaying, etc.)
Four years experience at the same level of responsibility for the scope of work, for those applicants without a trade qualification.
Fire protection services builder (open) Advanced diploma (building fire protection services) Three years experience at the same level of responsibility for the scope of work, for applicants with a building trade qualification (carpentry, bricklaying, etc.)
Six years experience at the same level of responsibility for the scope of work, for those applicants without a trade qualification.
Demolisher (low rise) No qualification specified Evidence having carried out, managed, and arranged demolition works for at least five different projects, each up to two storeys in height:
*  At least one project must have been for demolition of the whole building
*  At least two of these buildings must have been commercial buildings (Class 2-9 buildings)
Demolisher (medium rise) Certificate III in Demolition or equivalent competence in performing demolition work as evidenced by experience Evidence of having carried out, managed and arranged demolition works for at least five different projects, each up to three storeys in height:
*  At least one project must have related to demolishing the whole building
*  At least two of these buildings must have been commercial buildings (Class 2–9 buildings)
Demolisher (open) Certificate IV in Demolition or equivalent competence in performing demolition work as evidenced by experience Evidence of having carried out, managed and arranged demolition works for at least five different projects.
* At least three of these projects must have required the complete demolition of a commercial building over five storeys in height.

Act within your area of competence

All licensed building service providers must only act within their area of their competence. This is the specific areas of skill for which a licensee is qualified, experienced, and capable of undertaking.  This means, even if you hold a licence with a specified scope of work (e.g. Builder - Medium Rise) you should not undertake work as the responsible builder (such as on a complex commercial building) if you do not have the necessary experience and training to cope with the special requirements of that project.

CPD (Continuing Professional Development)

As a licence holder, you are required to maintain and develop skills and knowledge through ongoing learning activities known as Continuing Professional Development or CPD. Find out more information about CPD points, training providers, CPD events calendar and training resources.

Checklist - builder licence

  1. Read the information on this licence page so you know what to do and what documents to provide
  2. Read the Personal Information Protection Statement
  3. Provide evidence of your identity (Tasmanians and people living interstate / New Zealand) (new application only)
  4. Have a photo taken for your licence card at any Service Tasmania shop (Tasmanian applicants only)
    1. Interstate and overseas applicants will need to provide a passport size photo certified by a Commissioner for Declarations or a Justice of the Peace (JP).
  5. Scan and save (computer or storage device like a USB) a digital copy of your qualifications (new application only)
  6. Scan and save (computer or storage device like a USB) a digital copy of your certificate of currency of insurance (new applications and renewals) 

    PLEASE NOTE:  Tax Invoices are not accepted as proof of cover.

  7. Builder, fire protection services and demolisher ($5 million public liability insurance)
  8. Builders will also need to provide evidence of Contract Works insurance (new application and renewal)
  9. Applicants may be asked to attend an interview at the nearest Consumer, Building and Occupational Services office if requested to do so as part of the application process.  Failure to attend as requested may be considered as non-compliance with the application process and may cause an application to be refused.
  10. Scan and save (computer or storage device like a USB) a digital copy of your Statement of Experience (PDF, 830.0 KB) (new application only) This should be in a summary form completed by the applicant and include:
    1. a list of projects you have worked on
    2. dates
    3. project size in square metres
    4. number of storeys
    5. your role and a third party's contact details for verification

    You will need to open the Statement of Experience template and save the document to your computer before you can input details.

  11. Scan and save (computer or storage device like a USB) a digital copy of two Referee Statements (PDF, 561.5 KB) verifying your experience and competency in the class of work you have applied for (new application only)
    1. Eligibility criteria for referees, the person providing this statement must
      1. be an industry professional, for example an engineer, architect, building surveyor or senior manager or supervisor from an established building firm or;
      2. be licensed at the same, or higher level as that applied for by the applicant; and
      3. have overseen the applicant carrying out the work that is the basis of the reference.
  12. You will need to confirm that you have completed Continuing Professional Development (CPD) (renewal only)
  13. Have a credit card ready to pay for your licence fee online or at any Service Tasmania shop.

If your application is successful, you will receive confirmation within 21 days.

Roof drainage endorsement - builder licence

A builder can apply for a roof plumbing endorsement as part of their building licence.

Roof drainage endorsement eligibility

  1. The applicant must already be a licensed builder or have been granted a building licence as part of any initial application
  2. The applicant must be competent to perform roof plumbing work.

Roof drainage endorsement checklist

  1. Read the Fact Sheet - Roof drainage endorsement (PDF, 127.5 KB)
  2. Read the Director's Determination - Occupational Licensing - Restricted Roof Drainage Endorsement
    (PDF, 179.6 KB)
  3. Complete the self-assessment form
  4. Apply online
  5. Tick the 'Roof Drainage Endorsement' box
  6. Upload the self-assessment form in your My Licence account
  7. Pay the licence fee

Declaration

If you answer ‘yes’ to any of the questions below, you will need to provide details and copies of all relevant documentation.

  1. Have you in the last 10 years been convicted of a criminal offence (other than a minor traffic offence) or are any court proceedings pending?
  2. Have you ever been disqualified from holding a licence or registration as a building services provider or have you had any occupational licence or certificate cancelled or suspended (including interstate licences, certificates or registrations)?
  3. In respect of any work you have done in an equivalent position, have you ever been fined, reprimanded or cautioned for any breach of rules, professional conduct or code of ethics?
  4. Have you been declared bankrupt or entered into an arrangement with creditors in the last 10 years?
  5. Have you, in the past 10 years, been a director, secretary or a person in a position to control or substantially influence a company's conduct or affairs within 12 months of that company being placed in receivership, administration, official administration, under a deed of company arrangement, in liquidation or wound up for the benefit of creditors?

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Related information

Last updated: 01 Nov 2023

This page has been produced and published by the Consumer Building and Occupational Services Division of the Department of Justice. Although every care has been taken in production, no responsibility is accepted for the accuracy, completeness, or relevance to the user's purpose of the information. Those using it for whatever purpose are advised to verify it with the relevant government department, local government body or other source and to obtain any appropriate professional advice. The Crown, its officers, employees and agents do not accept liability however arising, including liability for negligence, for any loss resulting from the use of or reliance upon the information and/or reliance on its availability at any time.