Minimum Qualifications Required

To apply for a builder licence (either a Contractor Licence or a Qualified Supervisor Certificate), you must hold at least one of the following qualifications:

• CPC40120 Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Building) – this is the most common and accessible pathway for most tradespeople.

• Or CPC50220 Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) – often preferred if you're aiming for more complex or larger-scale work.

These qualifications must be nationally recognised and delivered by a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). They cover everything from interpreting plans, understanding legal requirements, estimating, managing worksites, and coordinating subcontractors.

Experience Requirements

Having the right qualification isn’t enough on its own — you must also prove that you have:

• At least 2 years of relevant industry experience

• Experience must be hands-on and verifiable, gained within the past 10 years

• It must include a broad range of residential building work, not just specialised tasks

Experience could be as a carpenter, site supervisor, project manager, or even an owner-builder, as long as it’s relevant and recent.

You'll need to provide statutory declarations, employment references, and possibly photos or evidence of your work.

Construction Induction Training (White Card)

Before you can legally work on any construction site in NSW, including as a builder, you need to complete General Construction Induction Training (also known as the White Card). This is a mandatory safety training course that can be done in person or online through an approved RTO.

Other Application Requirements

When applying to NSW Fair Trading, you’ll need to:

• Provide proof of identity

• Pay the required application fees

• Submit your qualification transcripts and proof of experience

• Undergo background checks (e.g. criminal history or bankruptcy)

• In some cases, pass an interview or knowledge assessment

Depending on your role, you can apply for one or more of the following:

• Contractor Licence – to contract for and carry out work

• Qualified Supervisor Certificate – to supervise work

• Endorsed Contractor Licence – to both supervise and contract

What If You’re Already Experienced but Not Qualified?

If you’ve been working in the building industry for years but never got your formal qualification, you may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

RPL allows experienced tradies to be assessed on the job skills they already have. If successful, you can be awarded a Certificate IV or Diploma without having to go through the full course. This is one of the fastest and most practical ways to meet the qualification requirement for licensing.

At CPD Centre, we can connect you with trusted RTOs and assessors who specialise in helping builders complete RPL.

Staying Compliant After You’re Licensed

Once you become a licensed builder in NSW, your learning doesn’t stop there. You’ll need to:

• Understand and apply the National Construction Code (NCC)

• Stay up to date with building regulations, standards, and laws

• Maintain your skills and knowledge through Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

That’s where CPD Centre can help. We offer flexible, industry-relevant CPD courses tailored to NSW builders — practical, online, and easy to complete around your work schedule.