chalkline. Snap the line. Build to it.
regulation Compliance and regulation 10 min read

TAS builder licence: CBOS classes, qualifications, fees and CPD

Tasmania builder licence classes, qualification routes, current fees, CPD requirements and owner-builder rules under CBOS and the Occupational Licensing Act 2005.

By Dan. Last updated 8 May 2026. Verified 8 May 2026.

Ask Chalkline about this →

TL;DR

All residential building work in Tasmania requires a builder licence from CBOS (Consumer, Building and Occupational Services) under the Occupational Licensing Act 2005 (TAS). Four sub-classes cover the market: Domestic (houses and Class 10), Low Rise, Medium Rise (up to 3 storeys), and Open (unrestricted). A Domestic or Low Rise licence requires a Certificate IV and 2 years experience (4 without a trade qualification); Open requires an Advanced Diploma and 6 years (3 with a trade). Licence fees are $458.40 ex-GST per year or $1,231.95 for 3 years (verified 2026-05-08). CPD is mandatory: 12 points per year, 36 over a 3-year term. Missing CPD blocks renewal. Tasmania’s home warranty insurance scheme is legislated but not yet in force as of May 2026 (commencement pending proclamation). Owner-builder permits are available for Class 1a work, limited to two in any 10-year period, with mandatory training before building or extending a residence.

In plain English

CBOS is Tasmania’s building and occupational services regulator, part of the Department of Justice. It issues builder licences, enforces CPD, and handles complaints against licence holders. There is no separate “contractor licence” and “qualified supervisor certificate” split as in NSW: one licence covers both the right to contract and to supervise.

Licences are issued under the Occupational Licensing Act 2005 (TAS), with detailed qualification and experience requirements set by the Occupational Licensing (Building Services Work) Determination 2021. Contracts for residential building work over $20,000 are also governed by the Residential Building Work Contracts and Dispute Resolution Act 2016 (TAS).

Licences can be held by individuals, body corporates, or partnerships. A body corporate or partnership licence must nominate a designated individual licence holder.

What it requires

Builder licence classes and scope

The General Construction class covers most residential and commercial building work and is divided into four sub-classes (verified 2026-05-08, CBOS: Builder licence):

Sub-classScope of work
DomesticClass 1 (houses, townhouses, duplexes) and Class 10 (sheds, garages, carports, pools) buildings, unrestricted size and number of storeys; Class 2 buildings up to 2 storeys Type C construction, max floor area 2,000 m2
Low RiseExtends Domestic scope to include some commercial buildings up to a defined height
Medium RiseBuilding work up to 3 storeys
OpenUnrestricted scope across all building classes and heights

There are also separate licence classes for Fire Protection Services Builder and Demolisher, each with their own sub-classes of Low Rise, Medium Rise, and Open.

Qualification requirements

Sub-classMinimum qualification
Domestic or Low RiseCPC40120 Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Building)
Medium RiseCPC50220 Diploma of Building and Construction (Building)
OpenCPC60220 Advanced Diploma of Building and Construction Management

Qualifications can be obtained through a registered training organisation (RTO) or via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). There is no exam or interview required by CBOS for the application: two referee statements from registered building practitioners confirming competence are required instead (verified 2026-05-08, Prepare Training: Builder’s Licence Tasmania 2026 Guide).

Experience requirements

Sub-classWith trade qualificationWithout trade qualification
Domestic, Low Rise, Medium Rise2 years practical experience in the scope of work4 years
Open3 years6 years

At least half of the minimum experience must be gained after the awarding of the minimum qualification, and must be above the class of any builder licence already held (verified 2026-05-08, CBOS: Builder licence).

Licence term and fees

Licences are issued for one or three year terms. Fees as at 1 July 2025 (verified 2026-05-08, Service Tasmania: Apply for a building services provider licence):

TermFee (ex-GST)
1 year$458.40
3 years$1,231.95

Additional occupation endorsement: $229.20 (1 year). A restricted roof drainage endorsement can be added for $129.88 (1 year) or $343.80 (3 years).

Applications are processed within 21 business days once all documents are received. Applicants must visit a Service Tasmania centre to provide proof of identity and have a licence photo taken.

CPD (Continuing Professional Development)

CPD is mandatory for all builder licence holders in Tasmania. The Occupational Licensing (Continuing Professional Development) Determination 2018 specifies eligible activities and points allocations (verified 2026-05-08, CBOS: CPD):

Licence termCPD points required
1 year12 points
3 years36 points (12 per year)

CPD activities include: accredited RTO training (1 point per hour, max 6 per day), trade journals (1 point per journal, max 3 per year), industry association membership (1 point per association, max 2 per year), and CBOS-approved online courses and face-to-face training.

CPD compliance is declared at renewal. Missing the requirement blocks renewal. CBOS can audit records at any time. Records of completed activities must be kept.

Owner-builder permits

An owner-builder permit allows a property owner to manage building work on their own home without engaging a licensed builder, under the Building Act 2016 (TAS) (verified 2026-05-08, Service Tasmania: Apply for an owner builder permit):

ItemDetail
EligibilityIndividual property owner only (not companies, trusts, or SMSFs)
Building classesClass 1a (residence), Class 8, Class 10a, 10b
Frequency capMaximum 2 x Class 1a projects in any 10-year period
Training requiredWhite card (construction induction) + approved Tasmanian owner-builder course completed within the preceding 12 months (for residential work)
Insurance requiredMust have current insurance before permit is issued
Licensed building surveyorMust engage one before applying

Permit fees (as at 1 July 2025):

Permit typeFee
Class 1a$458.40
Class 10a, 10b, Class 8$229.20

Some low-risk work by an owner does not require a permit (for example, a shed or garage up to 18 m2, or up to 36 m2 if prefabricated; a porch or veranda up to 9 m2; a deck up to 1 m high). Check with your local permit authority before starting any work.

The permit holder assumes full legal responsibility equivalent to a licensed builder, including statutory warranties. Permits expire on project completion.

Home warranty insurance: legislated but not yet in force

Tasmania passed the Residential Building (Home Warranty Insurance Amendments) Act 2023, which will require builders to obtain home warranty insurance for residential contracts over $20,000 (verified 2026-05-08). Coverage will run for 6 years after practical completion and protect homeowners (and successors in title) against defective work, non-completion, and builder insolvency.

As of May 2026, the scheme has not commenced. Commencement is by proclamation. The government targeted mid-2025 implementation but this has not occurred. There is currently no mandatory home warranty insurance requirement for Tasmanian builders; this is the key consumer protection gap compared with NSW (HBCF) and Victoria (DBI). Watch the CBOS website and the Premier’s announcements for commencement news.

Written contract requirements

Under the Residential Building Work Contracts and Dispute Resolution Act 2016 (TAS), all residential building contracts with a value of $20,000 or more must be in writing, dated, signed by both parties, and include (verified 2026-05-08):

  • The builder’s licence number
  • A description of the work, including plans and specifications
  • The contract price or a fair method of calculating it
  • Practical completion date or a method for determining it
  • Any statutory warranties required by law

A copy must be given to the homeowner within 7 days of signing.

Statutory warranties under the Act cover material suitability, legal compliance, and workmanship quality, and run for 6 years from completion. These implied warranties apply regardless of what the contract says.

What it doesn’t cover

  • Commercial building work (Classes 3 to 9, other than the limited Class 2 coverage under a Domestic licence): requires an Open or Medium Rise licence at minimum
  • Plumbing, electrical, gas-fitting: each has a separate licence class under the Occupational Licensing Act 2005; a builder licence does not authorise these trades
  • Work in other states: a TAS builder licence is not recognised in NSW, VIC, QLD, or other jurisdictions without separate application
  • Home warranty insurance: not yet operational in Tasmania; no mandatory scheme is currently in force

Practical implications

For the builder:

  • Confirm your sub-class before contracting. A Domestic licence authorises Class 1 and Class 10 work; it does not authorise medium or high-rise commercial work.
  • There is no home warranty insurance obligation in Tasmania at present. Once the scheme commences, the $20,000 threshold will trigger mandatory coverage before work starts.
  • CPD non-compliance = no renewal. Keep records of all completed CPD activities throughout the licence term.
  • Contractors must keep records of all building work completed for at least 10 years (verified 2026-05-08, Service Tasmania: Renew a building services provider licence).
  • A licensed building surveyor is required for all permit work. Engage one early; they must be in place before an owner-builder applies, and are a prerequisite for building permit applications.

For the homeowner:

  • Verify any builder’s licence is current via the CBOS licence search or the PlanBuild Tasmania: Find a licensed professional register.
  • For contracts over $20,000, the written contract obligations under the RBWCDR Act apply. Make sure you receive a signed copy within 7 days.
  • There is no mandatory home warranty insurance in Tasmania at present. Once the scheme launches, builders will be required to provide a certificate before taking payment on contracts over $20,000.
  • Statutory warranties run for 6 years from completion and cannot be contracted out of.

References

See also

Last updated: 2026-05-08. Verified: 2026-05-08. Quarterly review for currency.

Related articles