How to get Builders Licence in VIC (DBU or DBM)

Sacco07 on 03/02/2017 - 12:07

Hi Everyone,
I'm interested in getting into the building industry.
I want to know the best advice people can give me about how to get a DBU card (Will settle for a DBM).
Getting information about becoming a builder in victoria is quite hard, because there are so many courses saying they offer the best way to get your builders license.

Here in Victoria they are very strict on getting your builders license.
I know friends who have studied master builder courses, passed written tests but have failed on the face to face exam "because they don’t have enough experience in the trade". One friend got something like 85/110 questions correct and they still failed him. The same friend that got 85/110 has built/supervised/renovated 6 homes.
Supposably the building industry would much rather carpenters become builders, making it exceptionally hard for anyone else to become one.
Both my friends are under the age of 27, both work in the trade industry, neither are carpenters.

Is there a way to get your builders licence without having to sit the one on one interview? Through a diploma or certificate?

A bit of background from myself.
I currently work full time in the building material industry, have done so for 3 years. Prior to this I did 1 year of Waterproofing (No Certificate was needed)
I'm 22 years of age , I’ve completed my VCE.
I currently have a home loan so I can't leave work to study full time, so it will have to be part time.

Any advice will be helpful.

Education & Work

Comments

  • foolsgold on 03/02/2017 - 13:07

    Some quick comments probably better people in this forum to answer your question.

    Being a builder is not just a free licence to be a project manager and hire other trades to do work for you whilst relying on them to make sure they are compliant.

    You are the builder you need to have an understanding of how everything on site comes together, you need to be able to check and be able to identify problems/issues arise before/during/after building. There is also more to just the site coordination, theres all the preparation understanding what is required to obtain a permit, protection works, insurances, retentions etc. Then there is all the client side/legal side of contracts, liability periods, warranty periods etc.

    A builder is not a builder who just knocks up a building, you need to have understanding of everything under the act even if you don't plan on ever operating in that industry.

    • Sacco07 on 03/02/2017 - 13:58

      I understand that, I want to learn about the trade as well.
      The only thing is trying to become a builder under the age of 30 in Vic is almost impossable.
      I have family who are builders, I've been getting an insight of what they do for the past couple of years.
      Getting a builders license is the first step to becoming a builder. How are you meant to build and start up a bussiness if you cant get the licence to do so?
      I do know a little about the building industry. I know that its more then just a project managing.

      Above all, I'm more then happy to study a course to become a builder. I just want to know the best way to get it done in Victoria?

  • humdogg on 03/02/2017 - 14:31

    In short, you are right in saying that you are going to struggle to get a licence without a fair bit of experience. In real layman's terms, you need to have a registered builder that is really happy to support you, in addition to passing the relevant exams and interviews.

    You are also right in saying that they have made it even harder to get anything these days, even "settling for a DBM" is very difficult.

    So my advice would be to get that relevant experience with a builder, doing construction work.

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