Licence classes

There are 4 classes of builder licence in the ACT. Each class has different scopes of work. You need to know your class before applying.

Class Scope of work

Class A builder

(unlimited)

  • For building work (other than specialist building work) of unlimited height on any Building Code of Australia (BCA) class of work.
  • For basic building work.

Class B builder

(medium rise)

  • For building work (other than specialist building work) in relation to a building that is 3 storeys or lower on any BCA class of work.
  • For basic building work.

Class C builder

(low rise residential)

  • For building work (other than specialist building work) in relation to a building that is 2 storeys or lower and is a class 1, 2 or 10a building.
  • For building work (other than specialist building work) in relation to a building that is a class 10b structure (other than a swimming pool or swimming pool fence) and is ancillary to a building that is 2 storeys or lower and is a class 1, 2 or 10a building.
  • For basic building work.
Class D builder
  • For non-structural basic building work, other than specialist building work.

Other builder licences and endorsements

Corporation or partnership licence

If a corporation or partnership wants to provide or advertise construction services in the ACT, it will need a licence. For more information, see corporation or partnership licence.

Builder licence endorsements

To undertake specialist building work, you must have it added to your licence – this is known as an endorsement.

Specialist building work is:

  • demolition of a building
  • installation of a swimming pool

You may apply for an endorsement to be added to your licence either during your initial application or at any time while you hold the licence.

Eligibility

You need to meet the minimum eligibility requirements to apply for your builder licence as outlined in the Construction Occupations (Licensing) (Qualifications) Declaration 2024 (the Declaration).

The eligibility requirements under the Declaration for each builder licence class is detailed in column 2 of the table below.

Class Qualifications required

Class A builder

(unlimited)

  • A tertiary qualification in building.
  • 3650 hours of building work experience relevant to the scope of work of the licence class.
  • Of the 3650 hours of building work experience, 1825 hours must be undertaken after the date the tertiary qualification in building was issued.
  • Pass the assessment set by the Registrar.

Class B builder

(medium rise)

  • A Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) or a tertiary qualification in building.
  • 3650 hours of building work experience relevant to the scope of work of the licence class.
  • Of the 3650 hours of building work experience, 1825 hours must be undertaken after the date the qualification was issued.
  • Pass the assessment set by the Registrar.

Class C builder

(low rise residential)

  • A Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Building) (CPC40120, CPC40110), Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) or a tertiary qualification in building.
  • 3650 hours of building work experience relevant to the scope of work of the licence class.
  • Of the 3650 hours of building work experience, 1825 hours must be undertaken after the date the qualification was issued.
  • Pass the assessment set by the Registrar.
Class D builder
  • 5475 hours of building work experience relevant to the scope of work of the licence class.

Interstate licence holders

You may be able to apply for an ACT licence if you're already licensed in another state or territory. Find out more about mutual recognition.

Applying for a licence

Step 1 – Gather required evidence to support your application

Access Canberra will not accept criminal history checks that are more than 6 months old.

You must submit a separate applicant statement for each project you have worked on and a separate verification statement for each referee verifying your building work experience.

Step 2 – Complete the required assessment (Class A, B and C only)

If you are applying for a Class A, B or C builder licence for the first time, or your licence has expired for more than 12 months, you must sit and pass the ACT Regulatory Assessment with the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) before submitting your application.

Assessment details:
  • Conducted in person
  • Takes approximately 30–60 minutes
  • Pass mark: 80%
  • Book directly with CIT.

Step 3 – Start your application

Note: you can start an online application and save it to return to later. Your application won’t be submitted until the documents are lodged and the fee is paid.

Step 4 – Assessment

Once submitted, your application will be triaged and assessed to ensure you meet:

  • Fit and proper person requirements
  • Qualification and building work experience requirements.

Step 5 – Licence decision

Once the assessment of your application is complete you will either be offered a licence, or your application will be refused.

Please note, you may be offered a licence with conditions restricting the scope of works that can be undertaken under your licence.

If you are offered a licence you will need to pay a licence term fee of either 1 or 3 years. Fees are determined by the Fee Determination for the relevant financial year.

Note: It will take up to 7 days for your licence to be published on the public register after your licence term fee is paid, and up to 21 days for a licence card to be printed and sent to you.

Timeframe

Access Canberra triages builder licence applications and prioritises applicants who reside in Canberra and the surrounding region or demonstrate a genuine intention to perform licensable building work in the ACT.

For the prioritised applicants, the assessment of your application will take at least 4 weeks.

If your application is incomplete, or we need more information or verification, the assessment will take more time. Requests for more information will be sent to you via email.

Note: assessments of applications will not be fast tracked in any circumstances.

Applying for an endorsement

Step 1 – Gather required evidence to support your application

To apply for an endorsement, you must provide evidence of the skills and knowledge you have that are relevant to activity you want to be endorsed in. This may include:

  • your resume outlining your experience in demolition or swimming pool work
  • references from builders who supervised the relevant work you have completed
  • any relevant qualifications you have
  • any other information that demonstrates your skills and knowledge in the activity
  • Apply for an endorsement via the apply for a construction occupation licence
  • Pay the application fee. Fees are determined by the Fee Determination for the relevant financial year.

Step 2 – Start your application

Note: you can start an online application and save it to return to later. Your application won’t be submitted until the documents are lodged and the fee is paid.

Step 3 – Assessment

Once submitted, your application will be triaged and assessed to ensure you meet:

  • fit and proper person requirements
  • qualification and building work experience requirements.

Step 4 – Endorsement decision

Once the assessment of your application is complete you will either be offered an endorsed licence, or your application will be refused.

Please note, you may be offered an endorsed licence with conditions restricting the scope of works that can be undertaken under your licence.

If you are offered an endorsed licence and you do not currently hold a builder licence, you will need to pay a licence term fee of either 1 or 3 years. Fees are determined by the Fee Determination for the relevant financial year.

Note: It will take up to 7 days for your licence to be published on the public register after your licence term fee is paid, and up to 21 days for a licence card to be printed and sent to you.

Your responsibilities

You have the following responsibilities as builder licensee:

  • Complying with your obligations under the legislative framework.
  • Undertaking work in a proper and skilful way.
  • Rectifying issues that may arise with the quality of your work.
  • Understanding the requirements for insurances, contracts and other obligations.

Further information can be found on the licence responsibilities page.