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Become a Registered Builder in WA

Pathways towards becoming a Registered Building Practitioner

The building and construction industry in Western Australia is an exciting, rewarding place to build your dream career. No matter your interests or where your talents lay, there will always be a demand for passionate, switched-on people who like to dream big and aren’t afraid of getting their hands dirty.

If you’re looking into becoming a registered building practitioner or registered building contractor, you’re more than likely feeling ready to level up your building career – and we’re here to help you, every step of the way.

Who is the registration authority for building licences in WA?

In Western Australia, the Building Services (Registration) Act 2011 states that only a registered building practitioner or a registered building contractor is permitted to perform particular types of building activities. Registration is governed by the Government of Western Australia through the Building Services Board, which is in turn supported by Building and Energy and LGIRS.

The Building Services Board is the registration authority and is supported in its work by Building and Energy. The legislation has two categories of registration:

  • practitioner; and
  • contractor.

For further information regarding registration categories and registration periods, click here.

Why do I need to be registered to be a builder in WA?

Your registration is not only about meeting technical requirements; it’s also about demonstrating trustworthiness.

The Building Services Board expects practitioners to always uphold ethical conduct. That means:

  • being honest in your dealings with clients
  • paying subcontractors on time
  • supervising apprentices properly, and
  • maintaining workplace safety standards.

The Board’s role is not to make the process difficult. Rather, it’s to ensure that those licenced to supervise building work have the right knowledge, skill, and integrity. Additionally, your application isn’t just about the paperwork; it’s your professional story, and shows the years you’ve spent learning your trade, controlling projects, and upholding industry standards.

It’s important to remember that achieving registration as a Building Practitioner marks you as a leader – someone who takes responsibility for quality, safety, and compliance on every site.

Once registered, your responsibilities continue. You must:

  • Comply with all building laws and regulations.
  • Ensure that all work you supervise meets the National Construction Code and relevant Australian Standards.
  • Keep accurate records of projects and supervision.
  • Maintain your professional knowledge as codes and laws evolve.

Becoming a registered Building Practitioner is a huge professional milestone, and it demonstrates that you have met the State’s highest standards of skill, experience, and integrity. Not only that; it shows clients, employers, and regulators that you’re qualified to supervise building work and that you understand your legal responsibilities.

As a registered practitioner, you’re contributing to the safety, quality, and professionalism of Western Australia’s built environment.

Are you ready to take the next step in your building and construction career?

Click here to register your interest

The Master Builders WA Builder Registration Application Review Service

Some people find the process of applying to become a registered builder in Western Australia to be time-consuming and a bit overwhelming to navigate. In response to massive demand, we now offer a Builder Registration Application Review service for those who want to get their application right – the first time.

Currently, our service is specifically limited to those applying for a new Building Practitioner Registration, using the Set 1 pathway.

Wait… what is the Set 1 pathway?

To apply for a new Building Practitioner Registration under Set 1, you must have the following qualifications and experience.

Required qualification

Required experience

  • Seven years full-time experience in carrying out or supervising building work.

(Source: WA Government)

Application forms and further information are available on this page on the WA Government website.

Why Choose Master Builders WA?

As the registered industry body for the building and construction industry in Western Australia, Master Builders WA is uniquely placed to assist you in your journey to becoming a registered builder. We service the needs of the entire industry, from subcontractors and suppliers to residential and commercial builders – even multi-national civil construction businesses. Our members have access to a broad range of services and in-house technical experts who live and breathe their industry niches.

If you’re engaged to build anything in Western Australia, then Master Builders was built to support you.

Navigating The Journey, Together

The application process may seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be!

We have a team of qualified, experienced practitioners available to assist you with your new Building Practitioner Registration application.

Investing in our comprehensive Registration Application Review Service provides you access to a dedicated and experienced case manager who will support you through the application process by:

  • Facilitating an initial one-on-one fact-finding interview (in person or by phone) to understand your unique set of circumstances;
  • Mapping out an approach for your application, based on a review of your qualifications and relevant industry experience;
  • Identifying any potential obstacles in your application, and providing tailored advice on next steps to overcome them.

This service is for you if:

  • You want to apply to become a registered building practitioner and help build a better industry.
  • You want to work as a nominated supervisor of a registered building contractor undertaking specific building activities.
  • You have completed your Diploma of Building and Construction (or have an equivalent qualification).
  • You have at least seven years full-time experience in carrying out or supervising building work and can document this experience.
  • You agree to take in good faith and provide truthful, accurate information about your experience and qualifications throughout the course of our service delivery.

Investment

For one of our experienced, qualified building practitioners to undertake a thorough assessment of your experience and qualifications and guide you through the application process to obtain your building practitioner registration, your investment will be:

Members: $1500 inc. GST
Non-Members: $2500 inc. GST

Frequently Asked Questions

Delays or rejections often occur due to incomplete documentation, insufficient evidence of experience, or failure to respond promptly to requests for additional information. Applicants can avoid these issues by carefully reviewing the submission requirements, ensuring all documents are complete and accurate, and responding quickly to any correspondence from LGIRS.

To become a registered builder in WA, you first need to meet the educational, experience, financial and good character criteria set by Building and Energy, which will vary depending on what type of registration you are applying for. You must then complete the relevant application form and submit this, along with an application fee, directly to Licensing Services online, in person or by post.

Once your application is submitted, it will typically take several months to be assessed, depending on the volume of applications. If you are successful you will need to pay a registration fee, and you will be registered for three years. For further information, click here.

When submitting your application, both the non-refundable application fee of $277.00 ex GST and the registration fee of $803.00 ex GST are payable upfront to LGIRS (fees current as at 01 July 2025). If your application is not approved, the registration fee will be refunded.

  • A building practitioner is an individual with the authority to act as the nominated supervisor of a registered building contractor. They can’t provide building services directly to someone else. A building contractor can be an individual, a company, or a partnership that trades as a registered builder, and is permitted to provide services as a builder for work that takes place in the Building Services Board’s jurisdiction, is valued at over $20 000 and requires a building permit.

For more information, including definitions, see LGIRS.

Yes, to become a registered building practitioner you must have completed a Diploma of Building and Construction or hold an equivalent qualification.

The short answer is, not usually. LGIRS have produced a comprehensive document that explains the circumstances in which registration as a building contractor is needed, and any exemptions that may apply.

Note that a registered building contractor is not the same as a registered building practitioner – the latter is unable to provide building services directly to another person, while a registered building contractor can.

If you are registered or licensed as a building practitioner elsewhere in Australia or New Zealand, and want to be registered as a building practitioner with the Building Services Board in Western Australia, click here.

Builders Registration Expression of Interest Form