How Training Creates Registered Builders
To work as a builder in Australia, you’ll need to be registered. This means you’ll need a combination of education and experience—something you’ll only get through on-the-job training and studying building and construction courses.
Getting a builders licence in Australia is dependent on several factors, such as the state you live in, and the courses you need to consider depending on where you want your career to go.
Let’s dig a little deeper and look at how to get your builders registration in Australia, and what courses you’ll need to help you prepare.
What qualifies a builder?
In Australia, each state has different requirements for builders looking to get registered or licenced. Before you begin looking into training, it’s best to understand what these requirements are.
For the purposes of this article, we’ll stick with how to get a builders license in Victoria.
What can a registered builder do?
In Victoria, you must be registered with the Victorian Building Authority to:
- Perform domestic building work that costs more than $10,000
- Carry out reblocking, restumping, demolition work or removal of a home (regardless of the cost)
- Provide more than one type of building work that costs more than $10,000.
What registration is required to operate as a domestic builder in Victoria? Keep in mind there are different types of building licences (also called registrations) to consider. The main ones include:
- Domestic Builder (Limited)
- Domestic Builder (Unlimited)
- Domestic Builder (Manager)
- Commercial Builder (Limited)
- Commercial Builder (Unlimited).
If you’re wondering how to get a builders licence—whatever category you’re interested in—you’ll need the right level of experience, skills and education. This is where we can help.
How to get your building licence
As we’ve mentioned, to get registered or licenced you’ll need a solid combination of on-site work experience and education.
For most builders, this usually begins with an apprenticeship.
Career path for builders
- Depending on what you’re interested in, you might begin working as an apprentice carpenter, bricklayer, joiner, plumber, electrician or other type of tradie
- Whatever you chose to do, this is how you’ll gain most of your hands-on training and theoretical knowledge
- Once you’ve completed your apprenticeship, you can start looking into courses
- A Cert IV or Diploma will help you prepare for registration and builders licensing—as well as open up your career options
At Builders Academy, our CPC40120 Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Building) covers everything you need to know about planning, preparing and managing residential construction sites.
With a qualification like this, you’ll also gain knowledge in the principles, techniques and regulations of the Australian building and construction industry, so you can confidently apply for your builders license with the VBA. If you need assistance with this, we also run a special Registration Training and Mentoring Program.
When you’re ready to take your career to the next level, it’s worth looking into our CPC50220 Diploma of Building and Construction (Building). The knowledge and training you’ll pick up in this course will help you pursue higher-level roles, such as project supervisor, building manager, construction surveyor or estimator.
How can I get qualified as a builder?
The building and construction industry is constantly evolving. To keep up, it’s important to ensure you have the right qualifications to meet builders licensing criteria—no matter where you live in Australia.
When you become a licensed builder, your career really starts to open up. You can find work in a huge number of roles across many areas of the industry, from commercial and residential to agricultural and environmental.
Want to start your own business? With a builders license, you’ll have more experience and opportunities to make this happen. Not only can you work with your own team and your own clients, you can also earn more money than if you were working under someone else.
Start your journey with Builders Academy Australia
At Builders Academy, our courses are designed and run by some of most experienced people in the industry. We know what it takes to enter a progressive industry, which is why we have a range of courses to choose from—including many online options.
Becoming a registered builder or seeking builders licensing can be a tricky process, with more paperwork than we’d like to admit. By studying with us, you can make the process as convenient and easy as possible, as we support you the whole way.
If you would like to know more about our building and construction courses, and what it takes to get registered or licenced, get in touch today and we’ll walk you through your options.
This article has been revised and updated on 12 May 2022.