Owner-Builder Permit / Licence — QLD, WA, SA, ACT and NT

Issuing authority

QLD: Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) / WA: Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety (LGIRS) / SA: Consumer and Business Services (CBS) / ACT: Access Canberra — Construction and Workplace Licensing / NT: Building Practitioners Board (BPB)

Official source

How to apply

1. Confirm the work value meets or exceeds your state's threshold: QLD $11,000 / WA $20,000 / SA $12,000 / ACT $12,000 / NT $12,000 — and that you own or have an eligible interest in the land.
2. Complete any mandatory training: QLD — QBCC-approved owner-builder course (valid 5 years, 1 per applicant per 6-year permit period); WA — approved owner-builder course within 24 months OR hold building practitioner/architect registration; ACT — owner-builder course within 5 years OR active Class A/B/C builder licence; SA and NT — no mandatory course (NT is the lightest regulatory burden in Australia).
3. Gather required documents: proof of land ownership (title search / Contract of Sale, usually within 30 days), course completion certificate (where required), proof of identity, and a detailed description of the planned work.
4. QLD: Complete the Owner-Builder Permit Application Form, pay the processing fee, and lodge in person at a QBCC service centre or by mail. Processing takes approximately 30 working days.
5. WA: Complete Form 75 (use the current version only — old Form 75 not accepted after 1 June 2026) and submit online via the LGIRS portal or by post. Contact LGIRS at ownerbuilders@lgirs.wa.gov.au or 1300 489 099.
6. SA: Submit an online application via cbs.sa.gov.au/online-forms — if you cannot scan/upload, call CBS on 131 882. Home indemnity insurance (above $12,000) must be arranged before construction commences.
7. ACT: Lodge the Application for Construction Occupation Licence — Individual Owner Builder via forms.act.gov.au (form code 1166) and pay the $42 application fee (2025–26 rate). Assessment takes at least 4 weeks. Licence is valid for up to 3 years.
8. NT: Download the Owner Builder Application Form from bpb.nt.gov.au, read and sign the owner-builder manual declaration, then submit by mail, email, or in person to the Building Practitioners Board or a Territory Business Centre. Once approved, obtain a building permit before commencing construction — certificate covers one block of land for 3 years (renewable once).

Related topics

Related forms

• Building Permit Application (Multi-state: VIC Form 1 / WA BA1 & BA2 / QLD Building Approval / NSW Development Application)VIC: Form 1 (Application for a Building Permit); NSW: DA form via NSW Planning Portal; QLD: No fixed form number — lodged with private certifier or council; WA: BA1 (certified) / BA2 (uncertified)
• Occupancy Permit / Occupation Certificate (Multi-state: VIC Form 15/16 / NSW OC / QLD Form 11)VIC: Form 15 (Application for Occupancy Permit) + Form 16 (Occupancy Permit); NSW: Occupation Certificate (no fixed form number — lodged via NSW Planning Portal); QLD: Form 11 (Certificate/Interim Certificate of Occupancy, replacing certificate of classification from October 2020)
• Home Building Compensation Fund (HBCF) Certificate of Insurance — NSW / Domestic Building Insurance Certificate — VIC / Home Indemnity Insurance Certificate — WA / QBCC Home Warranty Insurance
• Annual Fire Safety Statement (AFSS) — NSW
• Wet Area Waterproofing Compliance Certificate — VIC (Plumbing Compliance Certificate via VBA360) / NSW (Waterproofing Certificate) / QLD (Form 43 Aspect Certificate)VIC: Plumbing Compliance Certificate (VBA360); QLD: Form 43 Aspect Certificate; NSW: no standardised form number