HELP: How to Become a Licensed Builder in NSW

Lrevelationx on 27/07/2019 - 18:54

Hi all,

I'm looking for advice on how to become a licensed builder in NSW. I've talked to a few building bodies to enquire about the process and nobody has been able to clearly tell me what is actually required of the practical experience component (fairtrading Parramatta, MasterBuilder NSW…). I don't want to jump in and 2 years later find out I've been getting the wrong experience.

[My background: I am currently a registered architect in NSW, but have never done any building work at all. Zero. But I would like to move into building construction. According to the fairtrading website, it states that all I need is 2 years practical experience + Cert IV in Building and Construction.]

Fairtrading told me: All I need is 2 years working experience in all phases of construction (site prep, structure, fit out…) , no need to supervise any work.
-Master Builder NSW told me: All I need is supervise the work on site (eg: site manager/foremen) for 2 years. No need to be involved in construction at all.

I will really appreciate if someone either a licensed builder or in the know of the process can shed some light on this. Also, do I need to be an apprentice in any trade first before the 2 years can be counted?

  • What is the required 2 years practical experience?
  • Do I need to be an apprentice ?

MANY MANY THANKS IN ADVANCE!

Fairtrading NSW:
When Fair Trading assesses your experience, we will look to see if you have the ability or capacity to competently supervise the construction of residential building work on site in line with the Building Code of Australia. This includes dealing effectively with sub-contractors, consumers and others.

When calculating if you have the equivalent of two years’ site based full-time work experience, we will be checking that:

you have done work on sites under the supervision of a fully licensed builder
you have worked on the majority of the sites within 10 years of lodging your application
if you worked on two or more sites at the same time, we will count them as one period of time only when we are calculating your equivalent full-time work experience

Home & Garden

Comments

  • spackbace on 27/07/2019 - 21:24
    +2

    Also, do I need to be an apprentice in any trade first before the 2 years can be counted?

    I worry about how much experience you'd actually bring to the field and how your house might turn out! You seem to want to get there as quick as possible, not as experienced as possible!

    You know it's not like the Lego movies right? 😂

    • revelationx on 27/07/2019 - 22:59

      I just want to look at the full picture and understand the future progression of what I'll be fully committing to. Either way, I will greatly benefit from actually building things.

      Yeah, it's not like Lego movie, but Everything is gonna be Awesome! haha!

  • TheBilly on 29/07/2019 - 06:51
    +1

    What is the required 2 years practical experience?

    Residential construction with a licenced builder. Not commercial. It must be the construction of BCA class 1 or 2 buildings. You have to be exposed to all aspects of the build - i.e. site manager, project manager, safety etc. You cannot do commercial and obtain licence i.e. aged care, high rise offices etc.

    Do I need to be an apprentice

    No

    • revelationx on 01/08/2019 - 20:06

      Thanks for the input! Are you doing some sort of construction yourself?

      • TheBilly on 01/08/2019 - 20:36

        Yes I have been for 15 years or so. Its not all money and glitter. Very hard work and extremely high stress. Extremely.

        • revelationx on 01/08/2019 - 21:08

          is the stress due to project milestones or because of coordinating the project?

          • TheBilly on 02/08/2019 - 08:20

            @revelationx: Everything - contractors, milestones, coordination, consultants, clients, money, legalities, authorities. In short once you are a builder your only job will be to deal with issues nothing else. There are no tasks that you will do that are mindless that you can use to take a break from the stress of getting the job done, those tasks get allocated to your team members because the issues that will derail your project require and chew up your full attention. If you plan to be the boss you will only get to experience the problems and not the easy menial tasks. If you don't plan to be the boss then don't waste your time getting a licence.

            A lot of people are entering the construction industry because of the recent construction boom thinking it is an easy pathway to more money. It is no more easier than any other career. For example, commercial lawyers and doctors all earn big bucks eventually. But in their early years they work 80-100 hour weeks regularly.

            • revelationx on 12/08/2019 - 23:05

              @TheBilly:

              A lot of people are entering the construction industry because of the recent construction boom thinking it is an easy pathway to more money. It is no more easier than any other career. For example, commercial lawyers and doctors all earn big bucks eventually. But in their early years they work 80-100 hour weeks regularly.

              Yeah, agreed. It seems like the construction boom is already over and the building industry under heavy scrutiny. eg: facade, structure, pca, even marketing images in Victoria. Saw an apartment recently dropped from 600-650k to 550-600. Also the advertised wages for construction has dropped.

              Everything - contractors, milestones, coordination, consultants, clients, money, legalities, authorities. In short once you are a builder your only job will be to deal with issues nothing else. There are no tasks that you will do that are mindless that you can use to take a break from the stress of getting the job done, those tasks get allocated to your team members because the issues that will derail your project require and chew up your full attention. If you plan to be the boss you will only get to experience the problems and not the easy menial tasks. If you don't plan to be the boss then don't waste your time getting a licence.

              I suppose it sounds like my current role anyway. I deal with the menial stuff AND the problems. haha. Do you think having a business partner can help reduce your stress? (sharing the load, discussing the problems…) Either way, stay sane and alive!

              • TheBilly on 13/08/2019 - 19:18

                @revelationx: Yes having a business partner you can trust will share the load. Very beneficial and you can both work to each others strengths. The only problem is finding someone you can trust. Its like getting married.

  • ofey on 07/08/2019 - 13:50
    +1

    I have only recently gotten my Builders Licence (DB-U) done here in VIC.
    p.s. The application forms changed again just after I was awarded my licence. Forms are streamlined but essentially the same process.

    They ask for:
    a. 3 years demonstrated working experience under a registered builder/s of the same grade you are applying for
    b. 4 projects supervised from end to end (new forms only ask for 3 now)
    c. A technical reference from the registered builder/s you put up in part a.
    d. Minimum Cert IV in Building & Construction.
    e. A White/Red Card (construction induction)

    As part of the application process you also need to sit a 2 hr theoretical and plan drawing exercise before a 4 hr interview with a qualified assessor. 1hr of that interview is for a written exam. The exams test on NCC Vol2., AS1684.4, AS2870,AS1926, AS4773, Builing Act, Building Regs, Domestic Contracts Act, Security of Payments Act, OHS Act and general knowledge which you would know if you've worked on a worksite.

    Additionally, they do a Fit2Work aka Police check and financial probity assessment on you. Finally to get your license, you need to qualify for Domestic Building Insurance which is an assets based check on your finances, so you need some assets to your name.

    Total time period for application from submission of application to license award was about 5 mths.

    Out of curiosity, as a registered architect, why would you want to be a builder??

    • revelationx on 12/08/2019 - 22:55
      +1

      Hey Ofey!

      Congrats on getting your license! Wow, it sounds so much more complicated compared to NSW. Thanks for sharing!

      Personally while working as an architect, I still feel inadequate with some area of building and want to get hands on experience. Also, having the experience and knowledge of an architect + builder should be beneficial in any situation. :)

      • ofey on 25/08/2019 - 12:59

        Thanks.

        Good luck on your endeavours.
        As somebody who works in the industry and trained as an architect, it shouldn't be too hard for you to make the application.
        Just follow the process on the NSW Fair Trading Site.

        https://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/trades-and-businesses/lic…

        The advice I give everyone is "don't fight the system" or "circumvent it".

        What they ask for, just do it. You'll get there with less resistance.

  • conant on 14/11/2019 - 21:14

    I have the same question. OP what are you upto now? Thanks.

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