An owner-builder is an individual who does owner-builder work under the authority of a permit issued by the Office of Fair Trading.

An owner-builder permit can only be granted by Fair Trading prior to the commencement of the proposed building work.

If the value of the proposed building work is valued over $12,000, then you must complete an approved owner-builder course or provide evidence that you have a qualification that is listed in Fair Trading’s brochures titled Approved Equivalent Qualifications.

Note: if the value of the work is less than $12,000 but above $5,000, then you must still obtain a permit but are not required to complete the owner-builder course.

You can have an application form for an owner-builder permit posted to you by contacting Fair Trading on 13 32 20, or pick one up at any Fair Trading Centre. Alternatively you can download or view an owner-builder permit application form on the Business Licensing Information Service (BLIS) website.

In this section you will find useful information about becoming an owner-builder.

Approved courses or equivalent qualifications
Contracts for owner-builders
Market practice guidelines