Does An Electrician Need A Builder’s License?

NOTE: The information in this article may vary in each state, please check with your local council and do not use this information as accurate.

Are you branching off and creating your own electrician business? Great! A career as an electrician can provide endless opportunities both professionally and personally; however, the Australian Government will be closely watching to ensure you are in full compliance.

Most, if not all, electricians need a builder’s license to work as a contractor, making it important to comprehend the basics of a builder’s license, how to determine if you need one, and steps to obtain one.

What Is A Builder’s License?

A builder’s license is a mandatory credential that electricians must obtain to work as a contractor. Both commercial and residential electricians may need this license. Each territory implements slightly different requirements for a builder’s license, making it important to check with the jurisdiction you plan on working in. At a minimum, two years of work experience, certain education classes, and continuing education are generally imposed by each territory.

How To Determine If You Need One

Electricians who own their own businesses will need to apply for a builder’s license. The Australian Government does not require employees of an electrician business to obtain a builder’s license since they are operating under an employer. However, if you are an independent contractor or tradesman, meaning you are the only individual in the company (subbies), you should begin working towards meeting the requirements.

How To Obtain A Builders License

You must meet education and experience requirements to become a registered builder. First, you must register and pass training in construction, which is commonly a 34-week program that leads to the Certificate IV in Building and Construction. The Australian Qualifications Framework is the provider of this program.

After you pass the necessary courses, applicable experience working as an electrician is needed. Apprenticeships, being an employee of a company, or running your own business all qualify as work experience. You may be required to substantiate this experience through a letter from your employer.

Deciding On The Right Builder’s License

Each territory has different types of builder’s licenses in place. Common licenses include a Contractor License, Supervisor Certificate, General Builder’s License and Domestic Builder’s License. The requirements for each license overlap, making it easy to hold multiple different licenses at once.

To choose the right one, first look at the territory you are interested in working in. Then, choose the applicable license in that category. If you plan on completing projects in various territories, be sure you check the license requirements in each one to avoid any noncompliance.

Summary

Understanding when you need a builder’s license is a critical part that comes with being an electrician. You don’t want to have noncompliance on your record as a business owner, making it essential that you know the requirements you are subject to.

Another key part of your electrician business is your insurance. Finding the right coverage can be time-intensive, which is why we suggest using our instant quote generator, where you can get an estimate on market-leading insurance in seconds! Simply enter your occupation and expected revenue to get started!