Continuing professional development for builders: requirements by state
CPD is mandatory for builders in NSW (12 points/year) and Tasmania (12 points/year, 36 over 3 years). All other states have no mandatory CPD for builders yet.
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CPD for residential builders is mandatory in two states: NSW requires 12 points per year and Tasmania requires 12 points per year (36 over a three-year licence cycle). In both states, missing the CPD target blocks licence renewal outright. Victoria has CPD under active consultation but no mandate yet (new Building and Plumbing Commission from July 2025). Queensland, SA, WA, NT and ACT have no mandatory CPD for building contractors as of 2026 (though QLD is developing a framework). If you hold licences in multiple states, only NSW and Tasmania are live obligations right now.
In plain English
Continuing professional development (CPD) is structured, ongoing training that licence holders complete to stay current with codes, safety, contracts and trade techniques. It is a licence condition in some states: you declare compliance at renewal, and if you haven’t met the requirement, renewal is refused.
CPD is not a one-time qualification. It is separate from your initial trade certificate (Certificate IV or higher), your white card (general construction induction), and any licence-upgrade study. It is an annual or cycle-based obligation for the life of your licence.
The term “CPD points” is used in most states where it is mandated. In Tasmania, the regulator uses the same language but structures the obligation across a three-year licence period.
What it requires
NSW: mandatory, 12 points per year
Administered by Building Commission NSW under the Home Building Act 1989 (NSW). Applies to individual building contractor and swimming pool building contractor licence holders.
Obligation:
- 12 CPD points per calendar year (verified 2026-05-08, NSW Government: CPD for builders and swimming pool builders)
- Points must be from at least one of eight approved topic areas (see table below)
- Must be completed before lodging your renewal application
How points are earned:
| Activity type | Points |
|---|---|
| Interactive learning (courses, workshops, webinars, conferences) | 1 point per hour |
| Assessable learning from an RTO or university (linked to National Training Packages) | 2 points per hour |
| Employing apprentices/trainees, or partner/associate learning on behalf of the business | Up to 4 points per year |
Eight approved topic areas:
| Topic area | Example activities |
|---|---|
| Technical issues | Waterproofing, masonry, ceramic tiling |
| Sustainability | BASIX, waste management, water management |
| Compliance | NCC/BCA, Home Building Act |
| Communication | Customer service, mediation |
| Dispute resolution | Misrepresentation, contractual disputes |
| Contracts | Contract terms and conditions |
| Safety | Asbestos, roof work, hazardous materials |
| Business management | Project management, financial management |
Carry-forward: Up to 11 surplus points from one year carry forward to the next year.
Exemptions: Only for serious illness or misadventure via a formal application at renewal time.
Approved providers: MBA, HIA, SPASA, TAFE, RTOs, Building Commission NSW, Australian universities, and approved private training companies (verified 2026-05-08, NSW Government: CPD for builders and swimming pool builders).
Record keeping: Keep records for three licence renewal periods. Audits are regular and random.
Non-compliance: Renewal refused. Misrepresenting CPD can result in licence cancellation. A false statutory declaration is a criminal offence under the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW).
Tasmania: mandatory, 12 points per year (36 over three years)
Administered by Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (CBOS) under the Building Act 2016 (Tas). Applies to licence holders in the Builder category.
Obligation:
- 12 CPD points per year, with a minimum 36 points accumulated over the three-year licence cycle (verified 2026-05-08, HIA: Continuing Professional Development in Tasmania)
- Activities must be spread throughout the licence period, not concentrated just before renewal
- Compliance is confirmed as part of the licence renewal process
How points are earned:
| Activity type | Points |
|---|---|
| Accredited training (RTO-delivered) | 1 point per hour, max 6 per day |
| Online courses from approved providers (e.g. ABCB, Pointsbuild) | 1 point per hour |
| Trade journals | 1 point per journal, max 3 per year |
| Industry association membership | 1 point per association, max 2 per year |
| WorkSafe Tasmania activities | 1 point per hour, max 6 per year |
| Trade events | Points set at CBOS approval, max 3 per year |
| Mentoring, industry representation, formal briefings | Points set at CBOS approval |
Approved providers: Nationally accredited (RTO, e.g. HIA or Master Builders Tasmania) or CBOS-approved. CBOS publishes an events calendar and approved provider list at cbos.tas.gov.au (verified 2026-05-08).
Audit risk: CBOS can audit CPD records. Maintain a register of qualifications, competencies, and CPD activity throughout the licence cycle.
Victoria: not yet mandatory (consultation underway)
The Victorian Building Authority (VBA) was replaced by the Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC), which commenced on 1 July 2025. Under the Building Act 1993 (Vic), there is currently no mandatory CPD requirement for registered building practitioners.
The Department of Transport and Planning ran a consultation via Engage Victoria, with a Regulatory Impact Statement prepared. As of 2026, no regulations have been made (verified 2026-05-08, Engage Victoria: CPD for Builders and Plumbers). HIA Victoria and Master Builders Victoria encourage voluntary participation. Watch bpc.vic.gov.au for updates.
Queensland: not mandatory for builders
QBCC administers licensing under the Queensland Building and Construction Commission Act 1991. CPD is currently compulsory for only two licence categories: building certifiers and pool safety inspectors. Building contractors (residential, commercial) have no mandatory CPD obligation (verified 2026-05-08, QBCC: Continuing professional development).
QBCC trialled a Compulsory Continuing Professional Development (CCPD) framework with over 160 industry participants. If CCPD is legislated, it will become a licence renewal condition for QBCC licensees. As of May 2026, no legislation has been introduced.
HIA Queensland and Master Builders Queensland offer voluntary CPD programs.
SA, WA, NT and ACT: not mandatory
No mandatory CPD for building contractors in any of these four jurisdictions as of 2026. Industry bodies (HIA, MBA state chapters) offer voluntary programs. Key regulators:
| State/Territory | Regulator | Act |
|---|---|---|
| SA | CBS (Consumer and Business Services) | Building Work Contractors Act 1995 (SA) |
| WA | Building and Energy, DMIRS | Building Services (Registration) Act 2011 (WA) |
| NT | Building Practitioners Board | Building Act 1993 (NT) |
| ACT | Construction Occupations Registrar, Access Canberra | Construction Occupations (Licensing) Act 2004 (ACT) |
Note: WA has mandatory CPD for building surveyors and building engineers specifically (verified 2026-05-08, WA Government: Builders’ registration), but not for general building contractors. NT and ACT have no CPD obligations referenced in their registration frameworks (verified 2026-05-08, NT Building Practitioners Board; ACT Government: Construction licences).
What it doesn’t cover
CPD does not cover the initial licence qualification (Certificate IV or Diploma), the white card (one-time general construction induction), asbestos removal licence refreshers, or trade-specific CPD for subbies (each trade’s regulator sets its own rules).
Practical implications
NSW and Tasmania: CPD is a hard gate. 12 points works out to roughly one half-day course per month. Don’t leave it to November. Keep receipts and provider confirmations: NSW audits randomly, and a false declaration is a criminal offence under the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW), not just an administrative matter.
Multi-state licence holders: NSW and Tasmania are the live obligations. Keep records separately: NSW requires three renewal periods’ worth; Tasmania requires records throughout the cycle.
VIC, QLD, SA, WA, NT, ACT: No mandatory CPD now. Victoria and Queensland are developing frameworks. HIA or MBA membership is the practical way to access CPD and stay ahead.
Approved providers: Check the regulator’s list before booking. Hours with an unapproved provider may not count.
References
- NSW Government: CPD for builders and swimming pool builders (verified 2026-05-08)
- CBOS Tasmania: CPD (verified 2026-05-08)
- HIA: Continuing Professional Development in Tasmania (verified 2026-05-08)
- QBCC: Continuing professional development (verified 2026-05-08)
- Engage Victoria: CPD for Builders and Plumbers (verified 2026-05-08)
- WA Government: Builders’ registration (verified 2026-05-08)
- NT Building Practitioners Board (verified 2026-05-08)
- ACT Government: Construction licences (verified 2026-05-08)
Related
- Builder’s licence renewal in NSW
- Construction works insurance
- CPD (glossary)
- HBCF (Home Building Compensation Fund)
- NSW building licence: classes, fees and thresholds
See also
Last updated: 2026-05-08. Verified: 2026-05-08. Quarterly review for currency.