Construction licences

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.

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.

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

• Evidence of your training qualification
• Evidence of your experience via the Applicant Statement - Building Work Experience (All Classes)
• Confirmation of your experience via the Verification Statement - Building Work Experience (All Classes)
• A criminal history check.

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.

• Information in relation to booking for assessment
• Builder licence regulatory assessment fact sheet.

Assessment details:

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

Step 3 – Start your application

• Apply for a licence via the Application for Classes A, B, C or D construction occupation licence - individual builder
• Pay the application fee. Fees are determined by the Fee Determination for the relevant financial year.

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.

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:

• Access Building Education
• Absolute Owner Builder Online.

Applying for a licence

Step 1 – Gather required evidence to support your application

• Evidence of completion of your owner-builder course or a copy of your ACT Class A, B or C builder licence
• Copy of building approval
• Apply for an endorsement via the  application for construction occupation licence – individual owner–builder .
• 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 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:

• do the training for a construction induction card
• ensure any workers do the training for a construction induction card
• do asbestos awareness training.

Licence classes

There are six classes of electrical licence in the ACT. Each class has different scopes of work.

There are a further two classes of electrical permit. Permits can be issued to individuals who have not yet attained the full qualifications for the unrestricted licence. A permit holder must only perform wiring work under the direct supervision of an individual who is fully licensed and who has not been restricted from supervising in their conditions.

Other electrical licences and endorsements

Corporation or partnership licence

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

Electrical licence endorsements

Endorsements are ‘additions’ to a licence and are required if you want to undertake the below electrical wiring work.

Eligibility

To be eligible for a licence, permit or endorsement, you need to meet relevant mandatory qualifications outlined in the Construction Occupations (Licensing) (Qualifications) Declaration.

Where multiple methods are listed for a particular licence class, you are only required to meet one of the methods listed.

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

• Evidence of your training qualification/s (Certificate and Transcript)
• Evidence of your experience (if required).
• Letter of need (if required)
• Evidence of your accreditations (if required)
• A criminal history check.

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

Step 2 – Start your application

• Apply for a new licence via the Application for construction occupation licence - individual electrician
• Apply for an endorsement of your current electrical licence via the Application for Electrical Licence Endorsements
• Pay the application fee. Fees are determined by the Fee Determination for the relevant financial year.

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
• Qualification and work experience requirements.

Step 4 – 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 electrical licence applications and prioritises applicants who have completed their apprenticeship, including passing the capstone test and have applied within 2 weeks of receiving their training certificate.

For the prioritised applicants, the assessment of your application will take three 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.

Your responsibilities

As an electrical 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.

Further information can be found on the licence responsibilities page.

Each licence occupation and class has different scopes of work and may be subject to conditions. You need to know your occupation and class before applying.

Plumber licence classes

Note: No class of plumbing licence is automatically authorised to perform backflow prevention testing. Find out how to apply for a backflow prevention testing endorsement.

Drainer licence classes

Gasfitter licence classes

Other plumber, drainer, gasfitter licences and endorsements

Corporation or partnership licence

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

Plumber, drainer, gasfitter licence endorsements

Endorsements are ‘additions’ to a licence and are required if you want to undertake the below work.

Eligibility

To be eligible for a licence or endorsement, you need to meet relevant mandatory qualifications outlined in the Construction Occupations (Licensing) (Qualifications) Declaration and the Gas Safety Act 2000.

Where multiple methods are listed for a particular licence class, you are only required to meet one of the methods listed.

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

• Evidence of your training qualification/s (Certificate and Transcript)
• Evidence of your course enrolment (if required)
• Evidence of your experience (if required)
• Letter of need (if required)
• A criminal history check.

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

Step 2 – Start your application

• Apply for a new licence via the Construction Licence Application - Plumber, Drainer, Gasfitter and Gas Appliance Worker.
• pay the application fee. Fees are determined by the Fee Determination for the relevant financial year.

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
• Qualification and experience requirements.

Step 4 – 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 plumber, drainer, gasfitter licence applications and prioritises applicants who have completed their apprenticeship and have applied within 2 weeks of receiving their training certificate.

For the prioritised applicants, the assessment of your application will take three 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 a plumber, drainer, gasfitter 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.

Further information can be found on the licence responsibilities page.

On 11 December 2024 it became mandatory to be licensed under the Construction Occupations (Licensing) Act 2004 to work on medical gas systems.

There are important health and safety risks with medical gas work. The ACT Government has introduced new licences for people who install and work on medical gas systems. You must meet certain qualifications, experience and skill requirements to obtain a licence.

What is a medical gas system?

Medical gas systems provide special gases needed for medical care of people. Work on medical gas systems includes:

• Medical gasfitting work - the construction, installation, replacement, repair, alteration, and maintenance of a medical gas system
• Medical gas technician work - the commissioning, testing, verification, or certification of a medical gas system.

When is a licence needed?

You need a medical gas licence to construct, install, replace, repair, alter, maintain, test, verify, certify or commission medical gas systems. Licences will help keep people safe in places like hospitals, dental offices, and nursing homes.

You don’t need a medical gas licence for work in a veterinary clinic.

Read more about what activities require a medical gas licence in the ACT [PDF 316.7 KB].

Licence classes

Note: Your licence will be conditioned if you have both a medical gasfitter and medical gas technician licence. This condition prevents you from commissioning a medical gas system if you have also installed the part that needs to be commissioned. This means the same person cannot do both the installation and testing of a medical gas system.

Other medical gas licences

Corporation or partnership licence

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

Eligibility

To be eligible for a licence or permit, you need to meet relevant mandatory qualifications outlined in the Construction Occupations (Licensing) (Qualifications) Declaration and the Gas Safety Act 2000.

Where multiple methods are listed for a particular licence class, you are only required to meet one of the methods listed.

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

• Evidence of your qualifications.
• Applicant Statement of Experience [DOCX 72.5 KB]
• Referee Statement [DOCX 73.6 KB]
• Evidence of your course enrolment (if required).
• A criminal history check.

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

Step 2 – Start your application

• Apply for a medical gas technician licence via the Application for Construction Occupation Licence Individual Medical Gas Technician form [DOCX 83.0 KB]
• Apply for a medical gasfitter licence via the Application for Construction Occupation Licence Individual Medical Gasfitter form [DOCX 83.0 KB]
• Email the application form and supporting evidence to cwpl@act.gov.au and use the subject line heading ‘Medical Gas Licensing Application
• You will be sent a payment link on receipt to your application to pay the application fee. Fees are determined by the Fee Determination for the relevant financial year.

Step 3 – Assessment

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

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

Step 4 – 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

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 a medical gas 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.

Further information can be found on the licence responsibilities page.

Licence classes

Each licence class has different scopes of work and may be subject to conditions. You need to know the licence class you are eligible for before applying.

Note: to perform work as government building surveyor you must be appointed to the building work by the Construction Occupations Registrar under section 20 of the Building Act 2004.

Other building surveyor licences

Corporation or partnership licence

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

Eligibility

To be eligible for a licence or permit, you need to meet relevant mandatory qualifications outlined in the Construction Occupations (Licensing) (Qualifications) Declaration and the Construction Occupations (Licensing) Regulation 2004.

The following are the main eligibility requirements under the Declaration:

Accreditation

You must be accredited under the Australian Institute of Building Surveyors (AIBS) National Accreditation Scheme in the category required by the licence class you are applying for.

Online course

Within one year of making the application, successfully completed the Introduction to the ACT Building Regulatory System online course.

Insurance

You must provide evidence of insurance coverage before you can be licensed, to cover:

• indemnity against claims for breach of professional duty as a building surveyor
• a minimum limit of indemnity of $1,000,000 for a single claim
• a minimum limit of indemnity of $1,000,000 for the total of all claims made against the applicant during the period of cover
• a minimum limit of indemnity for the costs and expenses of defending or settling a claim of 20% of the limit of the indemnity for the claim (this is in addition to the indemnities mentioned in points two and three).

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

• Evidence of your AIBS accreditation
• Evidence of you have completed the Introduction to the ACT Building Regulatory System online course and asbestos management training course
• Evidence of insurance (where required)
• A criminal history check.

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

Step 2 – Start your application

• Apply for a new licence via the Application for construction occupation licence - individual building surveyor
• Pay the application fee. Fees are determined by the Fee Determination for the relevant financial year.

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
• Insurance requirements (where applicable)
• Qualification and experience requirements.

Step 4 – 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. 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

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 a building surveyor 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.

Further information can be found on the licence responsibilities page.

Licence classes

Each licence class has different scopes of work and may be subject to conditions. You need to know your class before applying.

Other building assessor licences and endorsements

Corporation or partnership licence

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

Software Endorsements

Software endorsements allow building assessors operate endorsed software for the purposes of providing a building assessment service.

Eligibility

To be eligible for a licence, you need to meet relevant mandatory qualifications outlined in the Construction Occupations (Licensing) (Qualifications) Declaration.

Where multiple methods are listed for a particular licence class, you are only required to meet one of the methods listed.

Insurance

You must also provide evidence of insurance coverage before you can be licensed as a building assessor, to cover:

• indemnity against claims for breach of professional duty as a building assessor
• a minimum limit of indemnity of $1,000,000 for a single claim
• Evidence of your qualification
• Evidence of insurance
• Evidence of training to operate one or more House Energy Rating Software
• A criminal history check.

Applying for a licence

Step 1 – Gather required evidence to support your application

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

Step 2 – Start your application

• Apply for a new licence via the Application for construction occupation licence - individual building assessor
• Pay the application fee. Fees are determined by the Fee Determination for the relevant financial year.

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
• Insurance requirements
• Qualification requirements.

Step 4 – 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. 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

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 a building assessor licensee you are responsible for:

• complying with your obligations under the legislative framework
• undertaking work in a proper and skilful way
• understanding the requirements for insurances, contracts and other obligations.

Further information can be found on the licence responsibilities page.

Licence classes

Each licence class has different scopes of work and may be subject to conditions. You need to know your class before applying.

Eligibility

To be eligible for a licence, you need to meet relevant mandatory qualifications outlined in the Construction Occupations (Licensing) (Qualifications) Declaration and Gas Safety Act 2000.

Where multiple methods are listed for a particular licence class, you are only required to meet one of the methods listed.

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

• Evidence of your qualification.
• Evidence of your course enrolment (if required).
• Evidence of your experience.
• Letter from your employer (if required).
• A criminal history check.

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

Step 2 – Start your application

• Apply for a new licence via the Application for construction occupation licence - individual gas appliance worker
• Pay the application fee. Fees are determined by the Fee Determination for the relevant financial year.

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
• Qualification and experience requirements.

Step 4 – 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. 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

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 a gas appliance 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.

Further information can be found on the licence responsibilities page.

Licence classes

Each licence class has different scopes of work and may be subject to conditions. You need to know your class before applying.

Other works assessor licences

Corporation or partnership licence

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

Eligibility

To be eligible for a licence, you need to meet relevant mandatory qualifications outlined in the Construction Occupations (Licensing) (Qualifications) Declaration.

Where multiple methods are listed for a particular licence class, you are only required to meet one of the methods listed.

Insurance

You must provide evidence of insurance coverage before you can be licensed, to cover:

• indemnity against claims for breach of professional duty as a works assessor
• a minimum limit of indemnity of $1,000,000 for a single claim
• a minimum limit of indemnity of $1,000,000 for the total of all claims made against the applicant during the period of cover
• a minimum limit of indemnity for the costs and expenses of defending or settling a claim of 20% of the limit of the indemnity for the claim (this is in addition to the indemnities mentioned in points two and three)
• Evidence of your relevant membership or accreditation
• Evidence of insurance
• Evidence of the registration (if required)
• A criminal history check.

Applying for a licence

Step 1 – Gather required evidence to support your application

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

Step 2 – Start your application

• Apply for a new licence via the Application for construction occupation licence - individual works assessor
• Pay the application fee. Fees are determined by the Fee Determination for the relevant financial year.

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
• Insurance requirements
• Qualification requirements.

Step 4 – 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. 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

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 a works assessor 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.

Further information can be found on the licence responsibilities page.

In the ACT, plumbing plan certifiers must be licensed under the Construction Occupations (Licensing) Act 2004.

A plumbing plan certifier is an entity that provides or proposes to provide plumbing plan certification work as a service.

Plumbing plan certification work means anything a certifier appointed under the Water and Sewerage Act 2000 may or must do.

Other plumbing plan certifier licences

Corporation or partnership licence

If a corporation or partnership wants to provide or advertise plumbing plan certification work in the ACT, it will need a licence. For more information, see corporation or partnership licence.

Eligibility

To be a licensed plumbing plan certifier, you need to have one of the following sets of qualifications.

Registration

• Registration with the Institution of Engineers Australia on the National Professional Engineers Register in the area of practice of 'building services', or holds an ACT (or interstate) Professional Engineer Registration
• Can demonstrate sufficient knowledge of AS/NZS 3500 – Plumbing and Drainage and the Plumbing Code of Australia to undertake plumbing plan certification
• Holds a sanitary plumber and advanced sanitary drainer's licence
• Evidence of satisfactory completion of the Backflow Prevention Course offered by the Canberra Institute of Technology or an equivalent course
• Has a minimum of three years’ experience as a licensed sanitary plumber or advanced sanitary drainer.

Licences and experience

• Holds a sanitary plumber and advanced sanitary drainer's licence
• Evidence of satisfactory completion of the Backflow Prevention Course offered by the Canberra Institute of Technology or an equivalent course
• Has a minimum of three years’ experience as a licensed sanitary plumber or advanced sanitary drainer.

Insurance

You must provide evidence of insurance coverage before you can be licensed, to cover:

• indemnity against claims for breach of professional duty as a works assessor
• a minimum limit of indemnity of $1,000,000 for a single claim
• a minimum limit of indemnity of $1,000,000 for the total of all claims made against the applicant during the period of cover
• a minimum limit of indemnity for the costs and expenses of defending or settling a claim of 20% of the limit of the indemnity for the claim (this is in addition to the indemnities mentioned in points two and three).

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

• Evidence of your registration or licences
• Evidence of your knowledge or experience
• Evidence of insurance
• A criminal history check.

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

Step 2 – Start your application

• Apply for a new licence via Application for construction occupation licence - individual plumbing plan certifier
• Pay the application fee. Fees are determined by the Fee Determination for the relevant financial year.

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
• Insurance requirements
• Registration requirements.

Step 4 – Decision

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

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. 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

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 a plumbing plan certifier 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.

Further information can be found on the licence responsibilities page.

To be an architect in the ACT, you must be registered under the Architects Act 2004.

Start your architect registration.

You must apply for a corporation or partnership licence if you have a corporation or partnership in the ACT and want to provide or advertise to provide constructions services as one or more of the following construction occupations:

• builder
• building surveyor (private certifier)
• electrician and electrical contractor
• plumber, drainer and gasfitter
• plumbing plan certifier
• works assessor

Corporation or partnership eligibility

A corporation or partnership must meet the eligibility requirements under the Construction Occupations (Licensing) Act 2004.

Corporations and partnerships must have at least one nominee that holds the equivalent of the desired ACT construction licence applied for.

If the applicant is a partnership, evidence of the existence of the partnership will need to be provided.

If a partner is a corporation, they must state the partner's ACN.

If the applicant is a corporation and the history of the corporation is on a database kept by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, a current and historical company extract must be provided.

If the corporation is less than three months old a company extract will need to be provided. Extracts can be obtained from Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).

If the proposed nominee is an employee of the corporation, a copy of the individual’s signed employment contract or agreement is required.

Corporations and partnerships must also hold policies and procedures for effectively managing and supervising the nominee and the corporation or partnership’s obligations under the licence, including arrangements for communicating regularly with the nominee in relation to the construction services provided by the corporation or partnership.

If a licensed corporation or partnership has more than one nominee, their policies and procedures must outline the construction services each nominee is responsible for supervising. Between them, the nominees must always be able to adequately supervise all the construction services to be provided.

If the corporation or partnership is applying for a building surveyor, building assessor, works assessor, and plumbing plan certifier licence, it must have the appropriate insurance coverage as detailed under the licence types above.

Appoint a nominee

A corporation or partnership may have multiple nominees, and additional nominees can be appointed at any time, as long as they are an eligible nominee.

Removing a nominee

Nominees may resign their appointment only with the approval of the Construction Occupations Registrar. The Registrar must be satisfied that:

• the nominee cannot exercise their functions because of mental or physical incapacity
• there are arrangements for other nominees to take over outstanding work
• the entity that appointed the nominee has refused to comply with a mandatory requirement of the nominee (to do something to comply with an Act), or
• it is otherwise appropriate to approve the resignation

Nominees

Nominee eligibility

To be appointed as nominee individuals must:

• hold a current ACT construction licence.
• be able to adequately supervise the construction services provided by the corporation or partnership they will be the nominee for.
• Be a current director or employee of the corporation, or partner of the partnership they will be the nominee for.
• agree in writing to be appointed as a nominee.

The appointment must state the services for which the nominee is responsible. A nominee may only carry out the functions in relation to the construction services their appointment is for and can't exercise functions in relation to work that the nominee is not licensed to do.

Individuals automatically stop being nominees if they are no longer eligible, including if disciplinary action results in disqualification.

A construction occupation licensee must notify the Construction Occupations Registrar in writing within two weeks after the day the person becomes or stops being a director or nominee.

Nominee functions

Nominees hold the following functions:

1. To supervise the construction services of the corporation or partnership for which the nominee is responsible, and
2. To ensure that the relevant construction services comply with the COLA and the operational Acts, including the Building Act 2004 and National Construction Code.

Further information regarding nominee's rights and responsibilities can be found in the Guide for Nominees of a corporation or partnership [PDF 139.1 KB].

Applying for a corporation or partnership licence

Step 1 – Gather required evidence to support your application

• Evidence of corporation or partnership:
  • ACN (for corporation licence)
  • ABN (for a partnership licence)
  • For a corporation, a ‘current and historical’ company extract obtained through Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).
  • For a partnership, a copy of the signed partnership agreement.
• Evidence of insurance (if required).
• A copy of the corporation or partnership’s policies and procedures.

Access Canberra will not accept company extracts that are more than 3 months old.

Step 2 – Start your application

• Apply for a new licence via Construction and workplace licensing company or partnership application
• Pay the application fee. Fees are determined by the Fee Determination for the relevant financial year.

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.

Note: all nominees must be licensed as individuals before applying.

Step 3 – Assessment

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

• Eligibility requirements.
• Insurance requirements.

Step 4 – 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 the 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.

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

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.

Appointing or removing a nominee

Step 1 – Gather required evidence

• If a director of the corporation, a ‘current and historical’ company extract obtained through Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).
• If a partner or the partnership, a copy of your signed partnership agreement.
• In an employee of the corporation or partnership, a copy of the signed employment agreement.
• For removal of nominee applications, additional information may be required to satisfy the registrar that it is appropriate to remove the nominee.

Access Canberra will not accept company extracts that are more than 3 months old.

Step 2 – Start your application

• Apply for a new licence via Construction Occupation Nominees Appointment or Removal form
• Pay the fee (appointments only). Fees are determined by the Fee Determination for the relevant financial year.

Note: all nominees must be licensed as individuals before applying.

Step 3 – Assessment

Once submitted, your application will be assessed to ensure you meet all appointment or removal requirements.

Step 4 – Decision

Once the assessment of your application is complete you will either have a nominee appointed or removed.

If the nominee is not eligible to be a nominee, you will be notified.

Corporation, partnership responsibilities

If granted a corporation and partnership licence, the corporation or partnership is responsible for the administration and compliance requirements of that licence. This includes:

• complying with your obligations under the legislative framework
• responding to any requirements described by the nominee as required to achieve compliance with requirements for the construction service
• rectifying issues that may arise with the quality of your work
• understanding the requirements for advertising, insurances, contracts and other obligations

Further information can be found on the licence responsibilities page.