How do you become a Registered Builder in Western Australia?
To work as a Registered Builder in Western Australia, registration with the Building Services Board is required. If you intend to be the 'nominated supervisor' of a building contractor, you must be registered as a building practitioner.
If you are a builder and you neither intend to seek building permits from local government permit authorities, nor intend to contract directly with others to provide building work valued at over $20,000, you do not need to be registered.
When considering an application for registration as a Registered Builder, the Board considers, among other factors, the applicant's qualifications, experience and fitness to be registered.
What are the benefits of getting your WA Builders Licence?
First, it allows you to work on projects over the value of $20,000
Registered Builders have flexible work hours
Despite the hard work builders do, most builders are actually a very content group of people. And this is because the sector places huge importance on building and nurturing strong working relationships, which makes a great deal of sense. Compare our own working lives, the people that we work with are hugely influential to how we feel at work. And the stronger our working relationships are, the better the chance of experiencing enjoyment in work.
Building relationships
As a Registered Builder cements their working relationships, they will come to have a strong network of people to call upon. You may have come across the benefits of networking in a number of careers advice articles, and this is really prominent with being a builder. As the old saying goes: “It's not what you know, it is who you know.” Up-and-coming builders won't notice the benefits of having strong working relationships until they become more established or self-employed. An experienced Registered Builder will begin to speak to their contacts to ask for favours. Whether that may be asking for help or getting some stock, thanks to their strong working relationships, it is easier for them to get what they want.
Hiring Others And Giving Back
One of the best perks about being your own boss is that you not only get to create an amazing job and work environment for yourself but for others, as well. By creating your own company and hiring staff, you’re giving back to others, as well as to the local and national economy.
You also have the opportunity to give back to the local community beyond creating jobs. That may mean offering traineeships and apprenticeships to local kids, sponsoring events for local charities, or anything else you can dream up. More businesses than ever are incorporating social change into their models and being your own boss means you can choose to do the same.
Different types of builders license in Western Australia
Under the Building Services (Registration) Act 2011, only a Registered Builder 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 Registered Builders. This registration allows a business to provide services as a Registered Builder for work that requires a building permit, has a value of $20,000 or more and is located within the area of the Building Services Board’s jurisdiction.
Western Australian Registered Builder application process.
There are many pathways you can take to obtain your builders registration in Western Australia. When applying, choose the pathway that applies the most to you.
Here are the five sets for building practitioner registration.
Western Australian Registered Builder application process.
- Set 1
To apply under set 1, you need to have:
completed the Diploma of Building and Construction; and seven years experience in carrying out or supervising building work.
- Set 2
To apply under set 2, you need to:
have five years full time experience in supervising building construction; and be registered under the Architects Act 2004, or be a member of the: Royal Australian Institute of Architects; Institution of Engineers Australia; or Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.
- Set 3
To apply under set 3, you need to have:
five years of full time experience in carrying out, supervising or managing building construction; and hold membership with the Australian Institute of Building as a Member or Fellow.
- Set 4
To apply under set 4, you need to have:
gained sufficient knowledge and skills equivalent to a person who completed the Diploma of Building and Construction (as referred to in set 1); and five years of full time experience in supervising or managing building construction.
- Set 5
To apply under set 5, you need to have:
sufficient experience to gain the equivalent knowledge and skills as a person who has successfully completed the Diploma of Building and Construction (as referred to in set 1); and seven years full time experience outside the area of the Board's jurisdiction in carrying out building work.
Forms required for each application.
Experience and Qualification Documentation
To become a building practitioner, there are five registration pathways, called ‘sets’, that applicants can register under. Each of these sets requires a particular period and type of experience.
For qualifications, you must have a Diploma of Building and Construction or equivalent skills and experience. These units include:
- CPCCBC4005A– Produce labour and material schedules for ordering.
- CPCCBC4018A– Apply site surveys and set-out procedures to building and construction projects.
- CPCCBC5005A– Select and manage building and construction contractors.
- CPCCBC5007A– Administer the legal obligations of a building construction contract.
- CPCSUS5001A– Develop workplace policies and procedures for sustainability.
- CPCCBC4014A– Prepare simple building sketches and drawings.
- CPCCOHS1001A– Work safety in the construction industry.
This is where Vortex Education can help.
You can earn this experience by undertaking a construction course from an accredited training company otherwise called Registered Training Organizations (RTOs).
Registered training organisations (RTOs) are training providers who are registered by the Australian Skills Quality Authority or the Training Accreditation Council of Western Australia to deliver vocational education and training services. RTOs are recognised as providers of quality-assured and nationally recognised training and qualifications.
So how can Vortex Education help?
Vortex Education is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) with the Training Accreditation Council, based in Western Australia (RTO 52916). We strive to deliver exceptional training and assessment from highly qualified and experienced Trainers and Assessors who are leaders in their fields.
Our training programs are nationally recognised and comply with the Australian Quality Training Framework standards for registered training organisations. The quality of our training is rigorously monitored and audited to ensure we provide a high standard of quality service.
Vortex Education is Western Australian based and a registered training organisation managed by the Training Accreditation Council (TAC) and has some of the leading Trainers and Assessors in their fields providing in class and on-line Assistance in Australia.
Why Choose Us?
There are many benefits when you study with us including:
- Flexible learning to suit your lifestyle
- Online and face to face learning depending on the course (Unit of competency chosen)
- Flexibility to help you learn at a time that suits you where possible
- Access to a wide variety of courses
- One-on-one support and assistance by qualified trainers and assessors
- Every effort to provide access to additional assistance if you have any special needs.
