Builder's licence renewal in Australia: state-by-state guide
Builder's licence renewal varies by state. Compare NSW, VIC, and QLD renewal rules, fees, CPD requirements, and lapse windows.
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Builder’s licence renewal (or registration renewal, depending on the state) is state-based in Australia. There is no national builder’s licence: each state and territory issues its own, sets its own fees, and enforces its own continuing professional development (CPD) or fitness requirements. Rules, fees, and renewal periods differ significantly across borders.
If you hold a licence in more than one state, you must renew each one independently.
Choose your state
The detail that matters for renewal (fees, CPD points, lapse windows, restoration process) is in each state’s dedicated article:
| State | Regulator | Article |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | Building Commission NSW (via Service NSW) | Builder’s licence renewal in NSW |
| VIC | Victorian Building Authority (VBA) | Builder registration renewal in Victoria |
| QLD | Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) | Builder’s licence renewal in QLD |
Articles for SA, WA, TAS, ACT, and NT are in the backlog.
What all states have in common
- You must renew before expiry; trading on a lapsed licence is an offence in every state.
- Most states offer a short restoration window after expiry (typically 3 months) before you must reapply from scratch.
- Residential building contracts above a threshold require a current licence and an active home warranty insurance certificate. A lapsed licence cancels your eligibility.
- Fees increase with renewal term length, but the per-year cost falls on longer terms.
References
Related
Last updated: 2026-05-10. Expand as remaining state articles are published.