A building licence is needed to carry out residential or commercial building work in the ACT. The Department of Environment and Sustainable Development supervises Trade ACT licence processing. Read on to learn how to get one. 

4 Types of Builders Licence in Canberra

There are four types of builder licence. Each has specific scope of work, requirements and may be subject to conditions. The applicant must check their class before submitting requirements.

Class A Builder: Unlimited 

• For building jobs aside from specialist building jobs
• For building jobs of unlimited height on any BCA class of work

Class B Builder: Medium Rise

• For basic building jobs
• For building jobs aside from specialist building jobs for buildings that are three storeys high or lower 

Class C Builder: Low Rise Residential

• For basic building jobs
• For building jobs (aside from specialist building jobs) for buildings that are 2 storeys or lower. Buildings should be categorised as Class 1, 2, or 10a. 
• For building jobs (aside from specialist building job) for class 10b structures (except swimming pool fence or swimming pool). The structure must be ancillary to a building that is two storeys or lower and is class 1, 2, or 10a. 

Class D Builder: Non-structural work 

• For non-structural basic building jobs aside from specialist building jobs

Note that the experience, whether as an employee or subcontractor, should be paid. Unpaid work cannot be considered as a support for the application. The licensed builders serving as references for the applicant should have an Individual Contractor Licence or Qualified Supervisor Certificate.