Trade licensing
Builder Licence: qualification and requirements
A builder licence lets you contract for and supervise residential (and in some classes commercial) building work. Regulators look for a building qualification, years of supervised site experience and, for contractor licences, business and financial capacity.
CPC40120CPC50220
What a builder licence generally covers
- Contracting for new homes, extensions and renovations
- Coordinating and supervising trades
- Signing building contracts with home owners
- Taking out home warranty or domestic building insurance where required
The exact scope of work, job-value thresholds and licence classes differ in each state and territory.
Qualifications commonly used
CPC40120Certificate IVCertificate IV in Building and Construction
For experienced tradespeople and supervisors who run residential and low-rise building jobs. This is the qualification most often asked for in builder licence applications.
CPC50220DiplomaDiploma of Building and Construction (Building)
For builders and construction managers who manage medium-rise projects, contracts and teams.
Where to apply
| State | Licensing authority | |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | Building Commission NSW / NSW Fair Trading | Official site ↗ |
| VIC | Building and Plumbing Commission (formerly VBA) | Official site ↗ |
| QLD | Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) | Official site ↗ |
| WA | Building and Energy (WA Government) | Official site ↗ |
| SA | Consumer and Business Services (CBS) | Official site ↗ |
| TAS | Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (CBOS) | Official site ↗ |
| ACT | Access Canberra | Official site ↗ |
| NT | NT Building Practitioners Board | Official site ↗ |
Requirements change. Confirm the current rules with the regulator before applying. We help with the qualification only; we do not issue licences or guarantee a licence outcome.
Builder Licence FAQs
What qualification do I need for a builder licence?
Regulators most commonly list CPC40120 or CPC50220 as the technical qualification. Some states accept alternatives or add extra units, so confirm with the regulator in the state where you will work.
Can I get that qualification through RPL?
If you have solid, verifiable experience in the trade, yes. A partner RTO assesses your evidence against each unit. Some regulators set additional rules about how the qualification was gained, which we will flag during your skills check.
Does the qualification guarantee a licence?
No. The qualification is one requirement. The regulator also assesses your experience, identity and other criteria and makes the decision.
Is my licence valid in other states?
Many trade licences are covered by mutual recognition or automatic mutual recognition between states, but there are exceptions. Check with the regulator in the state you are moving to.
Find out what your experience is worth
The skills check is free, takes about a minute and puts you under no obligation.