If you’ve heard about the changes to the trade licence and trades registration in Victoria, but are not sure what it’s all about, you’ve come to the right place. Here, we’ll explain the changes to the trades registration and trade licence in Victoria. If you’re a registered builder, or working in building and construction, these changes may apply to you.
Recently, the Victorian Government made some changes to the Building Act 1993. They are calling these changes the Building Amendment (Registration of Building Trades and Other Matters) Act 2018. The aim is to ensure certain trades practitioners have licencing and registration. Certain building work will also need licences or registrations.
Who is affected?
Not all people working on a building site needs to be registered or licenced. But builders whose trades are listed as a “prescribed trade”, must apply for registration or licensing. The government hasn’t specified which trades will be on the prescribed list. However, we’re expecting the following trades will probably be first on the list:
- Carpentry
- Bricklaying
- Plastering
- Waterproofing
- Foundation trades
I’m a domestic builder. Am I affected?
If you are a Registered Domestic Builders (Unlimited) (DB-Us), you are already allowed to do all types of domestic building work in Victoria. This means you don’t have to apply for registration or licencing for a particular trade, i.e. you don’t have to apply to be a Domestic Builder (Limited).
How long do I have?
The Building Amendment (Registration of Building Trades and Other Matters) Act 2018 is coming into effect on 1st September 2020. On that date, the government will confirm its list of prescribed trades.
If you are a trade listed on the prescribed list, you will have exactly one year from 1st of September, (i.e. until 31st August 2021) to get registered or licensed.
If your trade is not on the prescribed list on 1st September 2020, the government may or may not put your trade on the list at a later date.
What do I have to do?
Here’s what the government is saying so far.
To be a registered trade/registered builder in Victoria, you have to submit an application to the Victorian Building Authority (VBA). You need to choose the category of domestic builder – limited (DB-L) registration.
To be a licenced trade, you need to submit a separate application. But the exact requirements of this application have not been announced yet.
What’s the difference between registration and licensing?
Based on government information so far, a registered trade or registered builder can work as a contractor or employee.
In contrast, a trade who holds a licence only, can only work on a building site as an employee. A licenced trade cannot be a contractor. It’s not confirmed yet, but it’s also likely that a licenced trade will need to have a trade certificate.
How Builders Academy Australia can help
The new changes are going to impact building and construction subcontractors, and trades working as subcontractors who are not registered. The changes may impact your ability to work in your current capacity.
Builders Academy Australia have dedicated licensing and registration specialists who are here to help. Our staff can give you advice and information on your next steps to getting your licence or registration, so that you can continue working.
Building and construction certificates
If you want to get a trades certificate, Builders Academy Australia offers top notch training across many sites Victoria. With over 2000 current students, we are one of Victoria’s most trusted training providers.
We deliver Nationally Recognised Qualifications. These help you meet the requirements to get your VBA registration, but they can also help you gain even more skills and knowledge, opening up future job opportunities such as site management.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
We also understand that you might already have heaps of skills and experience in building and construction. In this case, we offer Recognition of Prior Learning. Through this process, you get your certificate by demonstrating your skills and knowledge, without having to go back to trades school full time.
Other information
Builders Academy Australia can keep you up-to-date with everything you need to know about these new laws. We’ll be offering online webinars and workshops explaining the new regulations and the application process over the coming months.
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