BUILDERS LICENSE SA REQUIREMENTS – SUPERVISOR
Sam was a previous Builders License SA Manager for Consumer Affairs
Simple to follow Builders Licence SA steps
If you want to become a licensed builder in SA, we have created a step-by-step process below to make builders licensing much easier to understand. If you are wanting to upgrade an existing SA builders licence, then Step 3 and possibly Step 4 (if it’s non-structural) won’t apply to you:
Step 1) You must apply for a Supervisors (workers) licence. You can’t be a contractor without firstly applying as a supervisor. The only way to be issued a supervisors builders licence is to sit the technical interview or have completed a specific trade in Australia (e.g. carpentry or tiling). We specialise in builders license SA paperwork and can assist in all areas. More information can be found here.
Step 2) Now you understand that a supervisors licence is required, you must decide what specific SA builders license conditions you’d like to apply for. This is one of the most critical steps. Don’t apply for what you want in the future, only apply for what you can demonstrate in writing for 5 site addresses. This applies to handymen, all the way up to new build residential builders. You will also need a National Police Clearance no older than 12 months. Keep reading below for some recent updates:
Restricted Building Supervisors – from 1 October 2023, CBS now requires that you list a builders licence number who witnessed you doing this work. If you’re applying for restricted conditions like paving, repairs, gyprocking or retaining walls, a minimum of 2 years experience under a licensed builder is required for each builders condition. If you can’t provide this, you won’t be allowed to sit the technical interview. We have a unique template that CBS prefers to assist in extracting out the right information to declare your experience.
General Building Supervisors – from 1 October 2023, CBS now requires that you have completed at least 4 or 5 years of experience under a licensed general builder. If you have an Australian construction apprenticeship (not just a Certificate 3, but a full apprenticeship), it’s 4 years experience. No apprenticeship, but have a Certificate 4 in Building Construction, it’s 5 years experience required as a minimum to sit the technical interview.
Step 3) Restricted Builders – if you want to be a building SA contractor for restricted work such as paving, gyprocking or non-structural renovations, then you must enrol for 2 Contractor Business units and a National Police Clearance. Don’t fall for the trap of cheap training providers or non-accredited state based business units – the reason these are cheap are due to hard to use learning platforms, slow marking, long classes and poor instant support. We strongly recommend PCD Training for this service as the owners and markers are open-class builders with many years of experience.
Step 4) General Builders – if you want to be a building SA contractor for general building work such as structural renovations and new build residential (Class 1 & 10), then you must enrol for only 6 units within the Cert IV Building Construction package, National Police Clearance and QBE Builders Warranty Insurance. Remember, you need your full Certificate 4 to apply as a Supervisor (if you don’t have a trade), but only the 6 units in the Certificate 4 to apply as a contractor. Once again, we strongly recommend PCD Training for this service as the owners and markers are open-class builders with years of experience.
Step 5) Apply for the supervisor and contractor builders SA licence – you may have heard you might not need to sit the technical interview. Almost every builders condition you apply for requires a technical interview, no exceptions. CBS aren’t going to accept that just qualifications or written experience in your own words is enough, that’s why an interview process has been established since 1995. Depending on builders license SA conditions applied for, the fail rate ranges from 40-80%! We specialise in interview preparation and support and more information can be found here.
Remember, the advice above is from a previous CBS Licensing Manager who specialises in builders license SA applications and interviews on a daily basis.
SA Trade Licensing has listed below the common Supervisors builders license SA condition that are applied for in SA.
Can’t see the conditions you want? There are more within the builders Standard Conditions List
- Additions, Alterations and/or Renovations
- Air Conditioning Installation
- Bathroom Renovations
- Board Fixing and Flushing
- Brick Paving
- Carpentry, Joinery and/or Cabinet Making
- Civil Construction - 3 tiers
- Commercial Building Work from 1 – 4 storeys
- Demolition and/or Earthworks Construction
- Fencing
- General Concreting and/or Steel fixing
- Handyman (Non-structural)
- Painting and/or Decorating
- Pergolas, Verandahs and Carports
- Renovations (Non-structural)
- Residential Building Work from 1 – 4 storeys
- Retaining Walls
- Wall and Floor Tiling
Additions – Expanding the floor area, below, at the same level and/or above an existing building and enclosing other areas without limitation. This SA builders licence is considered equal or similar to residential construction. Meaning the builders technical interview will be difficult!
Alterations – Allows structural alterations to an existing building but excludes additions. Has no height or class of building restrictions. This builders license condition for SA is a great restricted general builders licence and is a stepping stone to residential construction.
Renovations – Makeovers of buildings or properties of all classes (e.g. bathroom, kitchen or other room), that doesn’t alter the use of the room or remove walls, doors or windows. Includes Commercial Building Work ltd to fit outs. This builders licence condition for SA is also a great restricted general builders licence and is a stepping stone to residential construction.
Remember these are structural conditions which means Step 4 listed above will apply to these specific builders license SA conditions.
Builders licence SA requirements are strict for all general builders conditions above. Speak to SA Trade Licensing before you apply.
Please note, builders licence SA requirements require air conditioning electrical workers and installers to hold two licenses – a PGE and builders license. Make sure you and your business are covered – speak to SA Trade Licensing on how this works.
Please note, if you’re a licensed SA plumber and advertise bathroom renovations, you must hold or apply for a builders licence SA condition to perform and contract for this building work. It’s a common issue and regularly monitored by Government departments.
This is a popular condition for maintenance businesses – speak to SA Trade Licensing about realistic builders licence requirements in SA.
This condition suits landscapers so be sure to contact SA Trade Licensing about realistic builders licence SA requirements.
Joinery – Including fitting of built in furniture (as for Cabinet Making) and stair cases and windows no limitation of height of class of building.
Cabinet Making – On-site fabrication and installation of built in furniture, e.g. kitchens, linen presses, laundry cupboards or similar.
1. Civil construction associated with streetscapes & carparks – Street scapes, paving of foot paths, car parks including stormwater, kerbing and gutters and earthworks and relocation services.
2. Civil construction associated with land sub-division streetscapes & car parks – Land sub division, access roads and earthworks associated with installation of services for subdivisions. Street scapes, paving of foot paths, car parks including stormwater, kerbing and gutters and earthworks and relocation services.
3. Civil construction – Includes all civil work without restriction e.g. bridges, tunnels & major public road networks. Construction of a structure such as a dam, bridge, road, railway, runway, utilities, pipe line or sewage system. Includes buildings associated with electrical control rooms and pump rooms.
Builders license SA requirements are strict for all 3 Civil tiered builders conditions above – only apply for the condition you’ve done multiple times before! Speak to SA Trade Licensing before you apply.
Are you a Civil Contractor and looking for advice or support for your industry? SA Trade Licensing recommend the Civil Contractors Federation of SA to help with any of your industry needs. Click on this link to be redirected to their website.
This condition is not sought after as much as a residential builders licence condition. However, builders license SA requirements are still very strict because these are classed as general builders licenses.
Earthworks Construction – All forms of earthworks without restriction. Site preparation, excavating and trenching associated with residential and commercial building work and all earthworks associated with civil construction.
Please note – there are 4 additional restricted fencing conditions available. Builders license SA requirements are slightly different for each.
Steel fixing – Installing reinforcing requirements for structural concrete in all classes of building.
Please note – the above SA builders conditions can be issued as Concreting & Steel fixing combined
This is an excellent maintenance condition for anyone looking to be a handyman – speak to SA Trade Licensing about realistic SA builders license requirements.
Decorating includes such techniques as marbling, gold leaf, murals and wall papering.
These are popular builders license SA conditions that go well with maintenance workers.
FYI – If you hold a SA building carpentry licence this already covers the pergolas, verandahs & carports condition.
Please note – this is still considered a general builders license SA condition so there’s strict requirements.
Residential structures and outbuildings with height restrictions ranging from 1 – 4 storeys as defined by the Code.
This is one of the most popular builders license SA conditions. Meaning, the builders technical interview is complex so you must be prepared or else you wont get the condition you’re after. Please note, Certificate IV in Building Construction won’t guarantee you this licence.
These are structural conditions which means Step 4 listed above will apply to these specific builders license SA conditions.
This SA builders licence is generally issued to tradesmen up to 2 storeys on first application.
Please note – there are 3 additional retaining wall restricted conditions available. Builders licence SA requirements are slightly different for each.
Please note that wall and floor tiling can be close to bathroom renovation works which requires a different builders license in SA.
Why choose SA Trade Licensing & Prices
– Guide and prepare you for the builders technical interview – see below
– SA Builders Technical Interview specific documents extracted and highlighted to study increasing your chances of passing
– We will complete and submit all CBS paperwork on your behalf (no-one else does this in SA), inc. company & business name
– Provide you direct link to $42 approved National Police Clearance provider – 100% online lodgement
– We’ll provide you a unique and CBS preferred Work History Template crucial for the builders technical interview (it replaces photos, CV’s and references which holds little weight in the interview). If this isn’t done correctly, you won’t be issued an interview date.
– If you’re applying for a General Builders licence (structural work), we’ll assist with the mandatory QBE Builders Warranty Insurance application for an extra fixed fee which is lodged by Webber Insurance
– Prefer a 1 hr meeting? For $220 (inc. GST), we’ll select the right conditions for you plus interview & work history preparation. Click here to book a phone appointment.
Builders Licence SA | Fees
General Builder (Residential/Comm.)
Sole Trader- – Inc. All Govt. Paperwork, Technical Interview Preparation & Study Materials
Supervisor Only (Residential/Comm.)
Hands-on Worker- – Inc. All Govt. Paperwork, Technical Interview Preparation & Study Materials
Restricted Builder (Specific Trades e.g. paving)
Sole Trader- – Inc. All Govt. Paperwork, Technical Interview Preparation & Study Materials
Supervisor Only (Specific Trades e.g. paving)
Hands-on Worker- – Inc. All Govt. Paperwork, Technical Interview Preparation & Study Materials
GENERAL AND RESTRICTED BUILDERS LICENSE SA REQUIREMENTS
TECHNICAL INTERVIEW
Prior to the technical interview you are expected to read Schedule 2 – Registration Performance Criteria.
It’s a detailed but confusing document which includes generic sections such as:
– WH&S and Legislation (SA only)
– Australian Standards and Codes 1 & 2
But what parts will be tested during the SA builders technical interview?
Each builder will experience a different version of an interview based on their on-site experience. Don’t assume advice from industry bodies is targeted specific to your application and needs. SA Trade Licensing will provide a realistic approach with specific documents for your SA builders technical interview.
SA Trade Licensing will:
– Guide you through Codes 1 & 2, Manufacturers Guides and/or Australian Standards
– Provide specific documents to study highlighted and extracted to make sure you’re on track
– Explain exactly what to have ready, areas to focus on and process of the builders SA technical interview
– Be there to answer any of your builders licence questions for no additional cost
– Prefer just the online resource materials for the SA builders technical interview? For $605 (inc. GST) we can supply these to you for up to 3 months or until the day of the interview, whichever comes first
– Prefer a 1 hr phone meeting? For $220 (inc. GST), we’ll select the right conditions for you plus interview & work history preparation. Click here to book an appointment
– Remember, you’ll have direct support from a previous CBS Licensing Manager who specialises in builders license SA applications and interviews on a daily basis
GENERAL AND RESTRICTED BUILDERS LICENCE SA REQUIREMENTS
BUILDING CONTRACTOR
Already hold or applying for a ‘general’ builders or ‘restricted’ SA supervisors licence?
Thinking of contracting to the public or other trades?
Then you must decide if you want to hold a builders license under:
– Your own name (sole trader)
– Company (Pty Ltd)
SA builders contractor licenses have the following benefits:
Contract or subcontract for the conditions listed on your SA general or restricted supervisors builders licence
Add (nominate) other builders who hold a SA supervisors builders licence with conditions you need to contract for complex jobs
There’s 3 builders license SA contractor requirements:
¹ National Police Clearance ($42 cost price online) –
Please note – from 1 October 2020 if you’re a General Builder there are an additional 4 mandatory Cert IV units required
³ QBE Builders Warranty Insurance – Certificate of Eligibility (mandatory requirement for General Builders as at 1 July 2020)
SA Trade Licensing will:
– Generate and submit all CBS paperwork on your behalf (no-one else does this in SA), inc. company & business name
– Provide you direct link to $42 approved National Police Clearance provider – 100% online lodgement
– If you’re applying for a General Builders licence, we’ll assist with the mandatory QBE Builders Warranty Insurance application for an extra fixed fee which is lodged by our preferred SA based provider – Webber Insurance
– Investigate the key areas of your business structure to ensure compliance
– Explain in plain English exactly what you or your expanding building company’s entitled to error free
– Organise each nominated supervisors licence so they can correctly represent your business
– Remember, you’ll have direct support from a previous CBS Licensing Manager who specialises in builders license SA applications and interviews on a daily basis.
BUILDERS LICENSE SA PREFERRED PROVIDERS
Click on the logo to be redirected to their website
Contractor Business Units
– Online / Workshop – no books
Tiling, Waterproofing, Bricklaying, Plasterboard
– On-site
South Australian Owned & Operated
SA based Builders Warranty, Contract Works & Business Insurance broker