Any class of builder’s licence may be issued with a condition, restriction or endorsement.  Whether a licence will be conditional is usually determined in the application assessment process and may be the result of an assessment of an applicant’s level of experience, qualification, or through the mutual recognition of an interstate licence. In these cases the licence class definitions must be read in conjunction with additional wording on the licence card setting out the parameters of the condition, restriction or endorsement (see example licence card below). 

Some restrictions that may apply include:

• restriction to building work of certain Building Code of Australia (BCA) classes
• height restrictions on certain classes of work.

Some endorsements that may apply to a licence include:

• swimming pool construction
• demolition
• internal fit-out work
• the construction a particular project at a particular address which may be outside the scope of the class of licence.

Various functions of a Class D Builder’s Licence

An open Class D builder’s licence in itself permits the licence holder to carry out non-structural basic building work, other than specialist building work or handling asbestos. Basic Building Work is defined under Definitions of terms used in builder’s licensing.

The Class D is the lowest class of builder’s licence in terms of the level of work it authorises.  This also makes it the most suitable of the four licence classes to be used for the issuance of more unconventional builder’s licences.  These can include licences authorising specialist building work such as swimming pool construction; or licences limited to internal shop and office fit-outs only.  These are applied to the Class D licence in the form or an endorsement.

An endorsement on a Class D licence, even if the endorsement is essentially the only construction service that can be provided under the licence, must be assessed under the Construction Occupations Licensing Act 2004 Regulation 32. 

Assessment of endorsement on licence

In undertaking an assessment under Regulation 32 the Registrar must consider an applicant’s physical ability, skills, qualifications, training, knowledge, as well as the extent and relevance of experience when assessing an application for an endorsement. 

 Example of licence card with conditions: