Tradies wanting to apply for a builders or contractor’s license will need to complete more training courses. Currently, applicants are required to complete 2 business courses. From 1 July 2020 this will increase to 6 business courses. The change has been brought in to try to reduce the number of building companies going out of business

Units required before 30 June 2020 Units required after 1 July 2020
BSBSMB421 Manage small business BSBSMB421 Manage small business
CPCCBC4009B Apply legal requirements to building and construction projects CPCCBC4009B Apply legal requirements to building and construction projects
  CPCCBC4007A Plan building or construction work
  CPCCBC4004A Identify and produce estimated costs for building and construction projects
  CPCCBC4003A Select and prepare a construction contract
  CPCCBC4024A Resolve Business Disputes

The new rules will apply to the state’s building work contractor’s licences, which cover new home building, renovations and other residential building work

There are four new mandatory subject areas – costing, construction planning, contract administration and dispute resolution – adding to the two existing pre-requisites of small business finance and legal requirements in construction.

The changes will apply to licence applications lodged after June 30. Builders will also be required to produce a certificate of eligibility for building indemnity insurance, after undergoing a “pre-check” by an insurance company.

“When applying for a certificate of eligibility, the insurer will undertake a comprehensive examination of the business’s finances, with a view to determining whether the business as a whole is viable,” Commissioner for Consumer Affairs Dini Soulio said.

The 4 additional units are part of the Certificate IV in Building & Construction. Whilst these units are worthwhile, we recommend applying for licenses prior to the 1 July change. This will save time and money. The other courses can always be completed at a later date. Click here to book