The Complete Guide to Builders License Victoria (2022 Updated)

When it comes to obtaining a building license, the requirements and regulations of the body giving the license may differ as different states and countries have rules or requirements you’ll have to abide by or follow before you can become a licensed builder. 

Are you in Australia? Precisely in Victoria? Do you want to learn how to get a builders license in Victoria? If yes, then you are in the best web space and in today’s article, you’ll learn everything you’ll need to know in order to obtain a builders license in Victoria. 

How to Become a Builder in Victoria 

First of all, before you’ll be eligible to apply for a builders licence in Victoria, you’ll need a strong combination of education and experience. The depth of your education and experience differs and it’s dependent on the type of builder you want to become.

Before becoming a builder in Victoria, you’ll have to get registered. The body governing and regulating building licenses in Australia is the Victorian Building Authority (VBA).

If you are not registered with the VBA, you won’t be allowed to: 

• Perform domestic building work that’s higher than $10,000.
• Provide more than a single type of building that’s higher than $10,000.
• You won’t be able to carry out restumping, reblocking, removal of a home or demolition work.

This means that as a builder before you’ll be able to carry out any of the above projects or even work as a builder in Victoria, your application must be processed and approved by the VBA.

Building Licences

Building licenses in Victoria are referred to as building registrations and they are of different types. Every category requires its own skills, experience, and knowledge. The common types of building registrations in Australia include:

• Domestic Builder (Limited)
• Domestic Builder (Unlimited)
• Domestic Builder (Manager)
• Commercial Builder (Limited)
• Commercial Builder (Unlimited)
• Demolisher (Low rise)
• Demolisher (Medium rise)
• Demolisher (Unlimited)

Domestic Builder License

Domestic building work has to do with the renovation, construction, maintenance or improvement of a house. The domestic builder license can either be limited or unlimited. If you are registered into the class of Domestic Builder Unlimited, you’ll be responsible for managing, arranging, or carrying out all the components of Domestic building work needed for the renovation, construction, or maintenance of a home.

If you are registered into the Domestic Builder Limited you’ll be limited to managing, arranging, or carrying out certain types of domestic building work like being limited to glazing work or carpentry work.

Eligibility Requirements

• First off, you are expected to have the necessary educational qualifications and relevant work experience before you can become a registered builder.
• Fill your application form with all the relevant details. Do well to include your completed training programs, business operations, work samples (if necessary), and professional membership.
• VBA will also need proofs that show that you don’t have an unreasonable number of debts or criminal records.

Commercial Builder License

A person registered as a commercial builder license is responsible for managing, arranging and carrying out all the components of building work needed for the construction of commercial structures and buildings.

When you apply for the Commercial Builder License, two options are available, you can either register for the commercial builder license (unlimited) or commercial builder license (limited). If you apply for the commercial builder license (limited), you’ll be limited to certain types of work like low rise building work, non-structural fit-outs, waterproofing, or the installation of blinds and awnings while the commercial builder license (unlimited) is not restricted. 

Eligibility Requirements

• First off, you’ll have to obtain the necessary work experience, practical experience, and educational experience.
• Ensure that you send a complete application form containing all the relevant supporting information.
• You’ll have to pass a police check for criminal history.
• Applicants are expected to have appropriate insurance.
• You may also be required to provide the completion of Course in Builder Registration (BPB).

Demolisher

Demolishers in Victoria partially or completely dismantle buildings as well as other structures using controlled and pre-planned methods. With this license, you’ll be able to combine the structural demolition the stripping of internal fixtures and fittings with the load-bearing elements, services and non-load-bearing elements.

The Demolisher License has three classes you can for. They are:

• Demolisher (Low rise)
• Demolisher (Medium rise)
• Demolisher (Unlimited)

Eligibility Requirements 

• Have the necessary qualifications and duration of practical experience.
• You should have at least a minimum compliant insurance policy.
• Prove to the agency that you are fit to work as a demolisher and that you are of good character.
• You’ll have to provide a signed authorization allowing the agency to carry out a National Police Certificate check.
• You may have to write a VBS exam. In that case, the agency tells you the exam fee and the scheduled date for the exam.