Becoming a builder-

1. Becoming a builder- Legal and regulatory frameworks

2. Becoming a builder- Builders Registration You must be registered with the Building Practitioners Board in Victoria ( or your state) to carry out: • re-blocking, re-stumping, demolition or removal of a home • any domestic building work under a major domestic building contract or where the cost exceeds $5,000 (including labour and materials) • any commercial building work where a Building Permit is required. If you carry out domestic building work for an employer who is a corporate entity, then one of the directors of that entity must be registered. If you are not registered, then it is an offence to enter a contract to perform work that requires a registered building practitioner, and to carry out that work.

4. Building Act 1993 • Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 2002 • Domestic Building Contracts Act 1995 • Building Regulations 2006 • Plumbing Regulations 2008 • Building and Construction Industry Security payment regulations 2013

5. Categories of registration • Building surveyor • Building inspector • Quantity surveyor • Engineer • Draftsperson • Erector or supervisor/temp structures • Builder demolisher • Builder commercial • Builder domestic

6. Domestic building work is work associated with the construction, renovation, improvement or maintenance of a home. The Builder category has three Domestic Building classes in which you can apply to register: • Domestic Builder (Unlimited) – persons who are responsible for carrying out, or managing or arranging the carrying out of all components of domestic building work for class 1, 2 and 4 buildings and associated class 10 buildings (as classified in the Building Code of Australia) • Domestic Builder (Limited) – persons who are responsible for carrying out, or managing or arranging the carrying out of one or more (but not all) components of domestic building work, as specified in their certificate of registration • Domestic Builder (Manager) – persons who are responsible for managing and arranging for a registered building practitioner to carry out one or more components of domestic building work, as specified in the practitioner's certificate of registration.

7. Registering • Application forms • National police check • Building employment history form • Statement by you to support application • Technical referee report • Qualifications/training form • Other licences form

8. Insurance • As a registered building practitioner, you must have the appropriate insurance for your registration category/class. The Building Practitioners Board (BPB) requires evidence you have insurance or are eligible to purchase insurance (in some cases) before it can grant your application for registration or renew your registration. • If the BPB learns that you are no longer covered by the required insurance, it must suspend your registration.

9. Domestic building insurance If you undertake domestic building work worth more than $16,000, then you need domestic building insurance that will cover costs up to $300,000 to fix structural defects for six years, and non-structural defects for two years. Before taking a deposit or any money, building practitioners must provide their client with (1) a copy of the policy and (2) a certificate of currency covering the client's property. Domestic building insurance covers the client if, before work is complete, the practitioner: • is deceased • is declared insolvent • disappears. It covers costs up to $300,000 to fix structural defects for six years, and non-structural defects for two years. In all other cases, it is up to the building practitioner to fix or complete works, or to pay any costs awarded. Domestic builders must provide evidence that they are eligible to purchase domestic building insurance when they renew their registration. This is usually in the form of a 'Certificate of Eligibility to purchase domestic building insurance', which is prepared by your insurer.  • For more information on Domestic Building insurance, visit the Victorian Managed Insurance Authority (VMIA) website

10. You need professional indemnity insurance for registration in any of the following building practitioner categories and classes: • Building Surveyor (Unlimited) • Building Surveyor (Limited) • Building Inspector (Unlimited) • Building Inspector (Limited) • Quantity Surveyor • Engineer (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical and Fire Safety classes) • Draftsperson (Building Design) (Architectural, Interior and Services classes) Professional indemnity insurance covers the practitioner against legal liability resulting from any claim made during the period of insurance. A building practitioner seeking registration renewal is required to show evidence of their professional indemnity insurance before the BPB can grant their application. They must ensure they have insurance cover for all work carried out under their registration category/class until at least the date of the anniversary of their registration.

11. Public Liability • You need public liability insurance for registration in any of the following building practitioner categories and classes: • Builder – Demolisher (Low Rise Buildings, Medium Rise Buildings and Unlimited classes) • Erector or Supervisor (Temporary Structures) • Public liability insurance covers the building practitioner against legal liability resulting from any claim made during the period of insurance

12. Your building business? • Company- pty ltd ( separate legal identity) • Sole trader • Business name • Tax implications • Compliance with authorities • Paperwork/accounting • Industry bodies.

13. http://www.vba.vic.gov.au/practitioners/building-registrationhttp://www.vba.vic.gov.au/practitioners/building-registration