Our team is diligently working to ensure each application is processed as soon as possible.
We apologise for any delays and appreciate your patience and understanding during this time.
If you have any urgent inquiries or require further assistance, please don't hesitate to contact our licensing team on 1300 489 099.
Individuals, partnerships and companies that wish to contract with others to provide building work valued over $20,000 must be registered as a 'building contractor' and demonstrate both financial and organisational capacity.
Refer to the Building Services Board’s ‘Management and Supervision Policy’ for details of the financial and organisational requirements. The Building Services Board generally requires an applicant for building contractor registration to demonstrate access to a minimum of $50,000 in cash or cash equivalent and have a quick ratio of at least 1:1 to meet the financial requirements. Partnerships and companies will also be required to have at least one nominated supervisor who is a registered 'building practitioner'.
It is important to note that a trust cannot obtain registration. The trustee of the trust must apply for registration however all documents and financial information provided must pertain to the trustee only.
How do I apply?
To apply for registration as a building contractor, start by reading the building contractor application guidelines. Once you understand the application process, download and complete:
- one of the relevant application forms below that best suit your business operations as either an individual (sole trader), partnership or company (either Form 13 or Form 14 or Form 15);
- the Management and Supervision Questionnaire; and
- the Business Profile Information statement.
When you have completed the application form, the management and supervision questionnaire, and business profile information statement, submit them and any supporting documents to Licensing Services with the applicable fees. Your application can be submitted online, by post or in person.
Unsure which form to use?
If you are unsure of which form to use or about any of the information above, contact Licensing Services on 1300 489 099 or email be.info@demirs.wa.gov.au.
Automatic mutual recognition and Mutual recognition
If you are registered or licensed as a builder elsewhere in Australia or New Zealand and want to carry out building work in Western Australia, you can find out more information about having your licence recognised in WA.
The department is committed to protecting your personal information it collects, uses or discloses when processing applications and making transactions. Under no circumstances should you include your payment card (credit/debit) details as part of any application submitted online. This includes for payment, proof of ID or within any other supporting documentation such as financial statements that accompany your application.
Individual
Show moreApplication form
- Building Contractor (Individual) Registration – Form 13.
- Management and supervision – Business profile.
- Management and supervision – Questionnaire.
Submit your application
Online:
Submit your application online
By post or in person:
If you are submitting your application by post (or in person) and are making payment by credit card, you must complete the application payment form and attach it to your application.
Applications received without payment will not be accepted.
Partnership
Show moreApplication form
- Building Contractor Registration (Partnership) – Form 14.
- Form A2.1 – Partner details.
- Form A2.2 – Partner details, body corporate.
- Management and supervision – Business profile.
- Management and supervision – Questionnaire.
Submit your application
Online:
Submit your application online
By post or in person:
If you are submitting your application by post (or in person) and are making payment by credit card, you must complete the application payment form and attach it to your application.
Applications received without payment will not be accepted.
Company/Body Corporate
Show moreApplication form
- Building Contractor Registration (Company) – Form 15.
- Management and supervision – Business profile.
- Management and supervision – Questionnaire.
- Template: Statement by accountant – non-trading company.
Submit your application
Online:
Submit your application online
By post or in person:
If you are submitting your application by post (or in person) and are making payment by credit card, you must complete the application payment form and attach it to your application.
Applications received without payment will not be accepted.
Building contractor registration scope of work
Show moreScope of work
Building work:
- for which a building permit is required;
- with a value of $20,000 or more; and
- which is carried out in a defined area of the state (area of jurisdiction).
Specific activities
Contract and carry out the following building work:
- the construction, erection, assembly or placement of a building;
- the renovation, alteration, extension, improvement or repair of a building;
- the assembly, reassembly or securing of a relocated building;
- the changing of ground levels of land for the purposes of work mentioned in the first three points above to the extent that could adversely affect land beyond its boundaries; or
- site work on land for the purposes of, or required because of, work of a kind mentioned in the first four points above.
The following activities do not require a registration:
- The construction of a farm building; a walkway, viewing and gathering platform or water tank that does not form part of another building; and an incidental structure. (An incidental structure means a structure attached to or incidental to a building and includes: a part of a structure; chimney; mast; swimming pool; fence; free standing wall; retaining wall; or permanent protection structure.)
- The production of a prefabricated or transportable building in a manufacturing yard.
- The formation of a parking area or outdoor sporting surface including associated fencing and lighting.
- The installation of fire sprinklers, free standing partitioning, safety systems, timber decking or glazing.
- Cabinet making and installation or joinery (2nd fixing) work.
Compliance requirements in WA
To get a WA registration
- Must hold a building practitioner registration.
- Must have the capacity to meet debts as and when they fall due.
- Must have appropriate arrangements in place to manage and supervise building services.
- Must pay an application fee.
To keep a WA registration
- Must renew the registration every three years.
- Must maintain capacity to meet debts as and when they fall due.
- Must maintain appropriate arrangements to manage and supervise building services.
Licence Identifier: BC00 - BC00000
They must comply with the Building Services (Registration) Act 2011, Building Services (Complaint Resolution and Administration) Act 2011, Building and Construction Industry (Security of Payment) Act 2021, Building Act 2011, Home Building Contracts Act 1991, Home Building Contracts Regulations 1992, Building Regulations 2012, Building Services (Registration) Regulations 2011, and Home Building Contracts (Home Indemnity Insurance Exemption) Regulations 2002 and Building Regulations 2012.
Building Contractor application guidelines
Show moreTo contract to provide building services in the class of builder work in Western Australia you must be registered by the Building Services Board (the Board) as a builder contractor (individual, partnership or company). The Board registers building contractors under the Building Services (Registration) Act 2011 (the Act) and the Building Services (Registration) Regulations 2011 (the Regulations).
These are the guidelines for how to apply to the Building Services Board for registration as a building contractor.
What happens after you apply
Show moreWe receive a high volume of building registration applications and aim to assess them as quickly as possible, while ensuring a fair and thorough process.
Our assessment process
We review applications based on set criteria, including financial capacity, management and supervision. This may involve checking of disciplinary actions, adverse cross-directorship, courts order, payment defaults or financial probity.
Once we receive your application, we will complete an initial check and let you know if anything is missing (by email or phone).
After you have provided all the required information, an assessor will review your application in detail. You may be asked for more information about your qualifications or experience. If you do not provide the additional information we ask for, your application may be refused.
If we need to request additional information, the process will take longer. Make sure you submit all required information and documents with your application to avoid delays.
Application outcome
If all the required information is provided, we aim to make a decision within 50 business days. If more information is needed, processing may take longer.
Please note if your application is depending on a building practitioner application that is in lodged at the same time, the building contractor application will not be finalised until the building practitioner is being finalise.
You will be notified of the decision in writing.
If successful: You will be registered for three years, and your details will appear on the Register of Builders. You will also receive a registration certificate in mail.
If unsuccessful: You will be informed of the reasons in writing. You can reapply in the future; however you will need to show that you have addressed the reasons for the initial refusal.
Dispute the outcome of your application.
If you are not satisfied with the Building Services Board's decision on your registration application, you may apply to the State of Administrative Tribunal (SAT) for a review of the decision.
