Your Career Map: How to Become a Builder Starting from Your Apprenticeship

If you're currently doing your carpentry apprenticeship, or recently finished, you might already be thinking ahead: How do I go from apprentice to licensed builder?

It's a smart question to ask early. Becoming a builder in Australia takes more than just time on the tools. You need a clear plan, the right experience, and a solid understanding of what's expected in your state or territory.

This guide breaks down the steps to move from building apprentice to registered builder (or licensed builder, depending on where you live), and what you can start doing now to stay on track.

Step 1: Understand What It Means to Be a Builder

In simple terms, a builder is legally responsible for managing and delivering building projects. That includes:

• Quoting and entering contracts with clients
• Coordinating trades and supervising works
• Ensuring all building work complies with codes and standards
• Managing safety on site
• Handling permits, documentation, and legal obligations

To do all of this, you need to be registered or licensed with your local building authority.

Step 2: Know Who Regulates Builder Licensing/Registration in Your State

Every state and territory in Australia has a different authority responsible for issuing builder licences or registrations. While the core requirements are similar, assessing your experience, knowledge, and qualifications, the process, documentation, and timelines can vary depending on where you live and plan to work.

Here’s a list of the building regulators in each state and territory:

• Victoria – Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC), formerly known as the Victorian Building Authority (VBA)
• New South Wales – Building Commission NSW
• Queensland – Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC)
• Western Australia – Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety (via Licencing and Registration)
• South Australia – Consumer and Business Services (CBS)
• Tasmania – Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (CBOS)
• Northern Territory – Building Practitioners Board (BPB)
• Australian Capital Territory – Planning ACT (via the Construction Workplace Licencing team)

Before you apply, it’s important to check the specific requirements and guidelines on your local authority’s website. This includes the qualifications they accept, the types of licences or registration classes available, and how they assess your experience.

Step 3: Focus on Gaining the Right Experience

Your apprenticeship is the start of the journey, but it’s not the end. Most licensing authorities expect at least 2–7 years of relevant experience, depending on the licence class and your training background.

Here’s the state-by-state breakdown:

• Vic – 3 years
• NSW – 2 years
• QLD – 2-4 years
• WA – 7 years
• SA – 3-6 years
• Tas – 2-4 years
• ACT – 2 years
• NT – 3 years

After Your Apprenticeship, You Should Be:

• Working under a licensed or registered builder
• Taking on more responsibility (e.g. site supervision, project coordination)
• Gaining exposure to different types of projects (residential, commercial, renovations, new builds)
• Learning about contracts, permits, OH&S, and compliance

Tip: Keep Records Early

Even if you're just starting out, build a habit of collecting project details:

• Job addresses
• Your role on each job
• Builders you've worked under and their licence number
• Project types (e.g. framing, fit-outs, extensions)
• Site photos, safety reports, or task lists

This documentation becomes essential when you apply for registration or licensing later.

Step 4: Understand Qualification Requirements

Some states require formal qualifications for licensing, while others allow you to apply based on experience.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

If you’re in a state that requires qualifications, you’ll need to complete a Certificate IV in Building and Construction (CPC40120) or higher. These can be done in person or through recognised online builder licence training options, but choose carefully (see our blog: Are Online Building Courses Worth It?).

If you're in Victoria or South Australia, you might be able to apply for registration without formal study, as long as you can prove your skills and project history.

Step 5: Choose the Right Licence or Registration Class

There’s no such thing as a “one-size-fits-all” builder licence. Each state offers multiple classes or scopes of work, such as:

• Limited/Trade
• Low Rise
• Medium Rise
• Open

The specific names for these categories will differ from state to state, but the concept remains the same: depending on your licence/registration type, you will be able to take on different types of jobs.

Start thinking about the type of work you want to be responsible for. If you’re aiming to run full jobs, you’ll need a broader licence. If you want to specialise (e.g. in framing, concreting, or fit-outs), a limited class or trade licence may suit your career better – if you live in WA, NT, or TAS, you may be able to take you career in this direction without a licence.

Step 6: Prepare for the Application Process

When you're ready to apply, here’s what most authorities will ask for:

• Your employment history and CV
• Project examples that show your experience matches your licence class
• Supporting documentation like plans, permits, contracts, or photos
• Referee statements from registered/licensed builders
• A technical interview or knowledge assessment (if you work in VIC, ACT, TAS, and SA, this is only sometimes are requirement in WA and QLD, and it’s not a requirement in NSW)

This is where many applicants get tripped up, not because they lack experience, but because they can’t present it clearly or match it to what the assessor wants to see.

How Builder Registration helps:
We work with early-career tradies and supervisors to make sure their applications are strong, consistent, and backed by the right evidence. Whether you're applying through experience or study, we know what your state’s authority is looking for, and how to help you avoid delays and rejections. Check out our courses to see which is right for you.

Build Smart: Plan Now for the Career You Want Later

The path from apprenticeship to registered/licensed builder doesn’t happen overnight, but the sooner you plan for it, the easier it becomes. What you do now (and how well you record it) can save you months of back-and-forth when you’re ready to apply.

Here’s what you can start doing today:

• Track every project you work on
• Ask questions on site about permits, safety, supervision, and contracts
• Work under licensed builders to ensure your experience counts
• Set a goal: Know what licence class you want and what it requires
• Get advice early if you're unsure about the best path forward

Whether you want to run your own jobs, start your own business, or just take more control over your future, becoming a registered or licensed builder is the key. And Builder Registration is here to help you get there, step by step.

Learn more about our registration support services and how we help early-career tradies plan their next move with confidence.

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