An Owner Builder Permit will only be issued for work on a residential building (detached dwelling or a conjoined unit). Permission won’t be issued for any work on commercial buildings. Restrictions include:
- Only two owner builder Class 1a projects are allowed in a ten-year period. However those two projects can include two entirely new dwellings.
- Owner builders cannot keep performing more work on what they have already constructed. Each new building project must receive a new Owner Builder Permit.
- There is a fee for each Owner Builder Permit (registration) issued.
- Note: The fee and insurance requirements for owner builders are the same as a licensed builder.
Read the Fact Sheet - Owner builder work (PDF, 246.0 KB)
Farmers and sheds (Class 7b farm sheds)
- Building farm sheds classified as Class 7b do not require an Owner Builder Permit; however, if the structure is over 200m2, a building surveyor must be engaged and a Certificate of Likely Compliance issued.
- Notify your council if you are building a larger shed.
Home projects
Some smaller sheds and outbuildings (Low Risk Buildings) do not require owner builder registration. Please refer to the Director’s Determination - Categories of Building and Demolition Work (PDF, 984.5 KB).
The Building Act 2016 further simplifies the building approvals process. A homeowner can build (without an Owner Builder Permit) the following:
- a shed, garage or carport up to 18m2, or up to 36m2 if prefabricated.
- a porch or veranda up to 9m2, or a deck up to 1m high
- a temporary swimming pool up to 9m2 (only if a pool safety barrier has been installed by a builder and approved by a building surveyor)
- perform maintenance or repairs on a dwelling using similar materials as those replaced.
Notifiable or permit work
An owner builder still requires a building permit for notifiable or permit work on a residence (Class 1a, 8 and 10 a & b). Your building surveyor will be able to advise you further about this requirement.
Applicants
- Applicants can live outside Tasmania
- Owner builders don't have to live in their residence
- Licensed builders can also apply for an Owner Builder Permit
- A person who has signed a contract to buy land or a building is also classed as an 'owner'.
Related information
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.