In the ACT, owner–builders must be licensed under the Construction Occupations (Licensing) Act 2004.

An owner–builder in the ACT takes on the same responsibilities as a licensed builder to supervise building work and make sure the building work complies with the Building Act 2004.

An owner-builder licence allows the licensee to undertake work on a specific building approval where the work relates to a Class 1, Class 2 or Class 10a building under the Building Code of Australia.

Owner builders are not authorised to undertake specialist building work such as:

  • demolition
  • swimming pool construction.

Eligibility

To be eligible for an owner–builder licence, you must meet the qualification requirements outlined in the Construction Occupations (Licensing) (Qualifications) Declaration 2024.

The following eligibility requirements apply:

  • You must be the lessee for the block being developed, and if co-leased you must have approval of the co- lessee/s.
  • The building work being undertaken must be your main home or ancillary to it.
  • You must have either:
    • completed an owner–builder course (within the last 5 years), or
    • hold an active Class A, B or C builder licence in the ACT.
  • Have an active building approval for the building work to be undertaken under the owner builder licence.

Owner builder licensees can only be issued to an individual, not a company.

Owner–builder licence courses

You can find approved owner–builder licence courses at:

Applying for a licence

Step 1 – Gather required evidence to support your application

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 assessed to ensure you:

  • meet fit and proper person requirements
  • satisfy other requirements to obtain an owner-builder licence.

Step 4 – Decision

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

Note: It will take up to 7 days for your licence to be published on the public and up to 21 days for a licence card to be printed and sent to you.

Timeframe

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.

Assessments of applications will not be fast tracked in any circumstances.

Your responsibilities

As an owner-builder licensee you are responsible for:

  • 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.

Owner–builders should also: