Information about a licence or certificate in swimming pool building. Use the menu on this page to find what you need.
You must have a licence before you do any residential building work in NSW, including swimming pool building, valued at more than $5000 (incl GST) in labour and materials.
Swimming pool building refers to all work involved in the construction, renovation, alteration, repair, extension, maintenance, decorative or protective treatment of a swimming pool.
It includes all other work directly associated with a swimming pool installation such as landscaping, safety fencing, pool water filtration and heating.
Any other work not directly associated with the correct and safe installation and functioning of a swimming pool is excluded.
Swimming pool building also includes all work referred to in the swimming pool repairs and servicing licence category.
A swimming pool is defined under the Swimming Pools Act 1992 as an excavation, structure or vessel:
- that can be filled with water to a depth greater than 300 millimetres, and
- that is only or mainly used, or that is designed, manufactured or adapted to be only or mainly used, for swimming, wading, paddling or any other human aquatic activity.
It includes a spa pool, but does not include a spa bath or anything in a bathroom.
Any contract for swimming pool building can include any specialist work that needs to be done as part of the overall job, and any specialist work can be appropriately subcontracted.
However this work must be carried out by the holder of an endorsed contractor licence or qualified supervisor certificate in that specialist category.
Licence types
There are different types of licences available in NSW depending on whether you want to contract for another party or supervise work.
A contractor licence allows you to contract and advertise to do work. You can only do the types of work described on your licence card. Contractor licences can be issued to individuals and to companies and partnerships.
From 1 July 2020, you can apply for a 1, 3 or 5 year contractor licence.
A qualified supervisor certificate allows you to supervise and do the work described on your certificate. Qualified supervisor certificates are only issued to individuals. A qualified supervisor certificate does not allow you to contract for work.
From 1 July 2020, you can apply to have a Qualified Supervisor Certificate issued for 1, 3 or 5 years.
An endorsed contractor licence is issued to individuals who apply for a contractor licence and who also have the qualifications and experience needed to be a qualified supervisor. Endorsed contractor licence cards have ‘contractor licence (Q)’ printed on them to show they are also equivalent to a Qualified Supervisor Certificate.
Apply for a licence or certificate
This information is for individuals. See information for companies and partnerships.
Once you know what licence type you want, and you have checked you have the right qualifications, you can apply for a licence or certificate.
How to apply
You must lodge your application and payment in person at a Service NSW centre.
What you need
Forms you will need:
You will also need:
- details of any past or current licences or certificates you hold
- an original copy of your qualification/s, such as your certificate. See Qualifications for more information on what you need to have
- details of your employment and experience
- details of any past compliance issues, insolvency matters, or criminal offences (if applicable)
- one passport size photo
- proof of identify
- payment
The application form and checklist have more information about each of these items.
You can also ask at your nearest Service NSW centre for these forms.
Vary your licence or certificate
The information on this page is for individuals. See information for companies and partnerships.
Add a category to your licence or certificate
If you gain more qualifications that allow you to do more types of work, such as other building work, trade work or specialist work, you can apply to add a category to your individual contractor’s licence and/or your qualified supervisor’s certificate.
How to apply
You must lodge your application in person at a Service NSW centre.
What you need
Forms you will need:
- application form – individual
- the relevant application checklist:
- additional details form/s (if applicable)
You will also need:
- details of past or current licences or certificates you hold
- proof of your qualifications eg a certificate or transcript
- details of your employment and experience
- details of any past compliance issues, insolvency matters, or criminal offences (if applicable)
- one passport size photo
- proof of identify
- payment
The application form and checklists have more information about each of these items.
You can also ask at your nearest Service NSW centre for these forms.
Change a condition on your licence
Your licence or certificate allows you to do and/or supervise the work described on your licence card, subject to any specified conditions.
Conditions may be imposed for a number reasons and limit the scope of work you are able to do, or place other requirements on the licence or certificate holder.
They may be as a result mutual recognition processes, disciplinary action, bankruptcy, external administration or other factors.
If circumstances change, and this affects your ability to do the work described on your licence card, you must let us know within seven days.
If you wish to have your licence or certificate updated to remove limitations on your category of work, you will need to make an application to vary your licence or certificate.
Refer to the Add a category to your licence or certificate section above.
Qualifications needed
To get a licence or certificate to do swimming pool building, you must complete one of the qualifications listed below.
To find organisations that deliver nationally recognised training, go to training.gov.au and search via the course code or name.
If you are currently an apprentice or trainee, you cannot apply for a licence or certificate. You must apply as soon as you finish your apprenticeship or traineeship to be able to keep working.
If you hold a licence from interstate or New Zealand, and want to work in NSW, see Mutual Recognition.
If you trained overseas, see Overseas Trained Applicants.
Qualifications:
- CPC40808 Certificate IV In Swimming Pool and Spa Building,
OR
- Completion of a Licence Skills Assessment conducted by the Building Industry Skills Centre and a minimum of four years acceptable practical experience if you started or completed both the assessment and experience prior to 29 March 2010.
Previous licence or supervisor certificate holders
You do not need to show your qualifications if:
- You have ever held an endorsed contractor licence or qualified supervisor certificate in swimming pool building, that had no restrictions or conditions. If you apply for a new endorsed contractor licence or qualified supervisor certificate, we will accept your previous licence or certificate in place of the current qualification requirements.
- You have held an endorsed contractor licence or qualified supervisor certificate in the last five years in swimming pool building that had restrictions or conditions. We will assess your application and reissue you a licence or certificate that reflects the scope of work that your licence or certificate covered. This may include some conditions or restrictions.
Become a registered swimming pool inspector (certifier)
Registered swimming pool inspectors inspect barriers to pools and spa pools to make sure they meet the requirements of the Swimming Pools Act 1992.
You can apply to be a registered swimming pool inspector if you hold an endorsed contractor licence or a qualified supervisor certificate in swimming pool building or structural landscaping.
Renew or restore a licence or certificate
This information is for individuals. See information for companies and partnerships.
We will send you a renewal form in the mail several weeks before your licence or certificate is due to expire.
How to renew
You can use the details on the renewal form to renew your licence online at Service NSW. You can also renew in person at your nearest Service NSW centre.
What you need
- your licence number
- renewal form
- payment
- additional details forms (if applicable)
- details of any past compliance issues, insolvency matters, or criminal offences (if applicable)
- details of change of any circumstances to the licence or certificate
If we approve your application, we will post your new licence to you. Read reasons why an application may not be approved.
If your licence is going to expire soon and you have not gotten your renewal form, contact us on 13 32 20. It is your responsibility to renew your licence on time.
Renewal fees
Find out what fees apply for 2020-2021 on our Home Building fees page.
Late renewals
If you don't renew on time and your licence expires, you will have to apply to have your licence restored and pay a restoration fee.
There is a uniform period of 3 months in which you can apply to have your expired licence restored.
Visit Licence Restoration Fees for more information.
You can use the details on your renewal form to apply to restore your licence at a Service NSW centre.
Restoration fees
Find out what fees apply for 2020-2021 on our Home Building fees page.
Update your licence details
This information is for individuals. See information for companies and partnerships.
If you change your name, address or other contact details, you must let us know within seven days.
Update your address, phone number or email address
How to update
You can update your details online at Service NSW. Your current email address and mobile phone number needs to be registered with Fair Trading to be able to update online.
You can also update your details in person at a Service NSW centre.
What you need
- your licence number
- your new contact details
- completed notification of change of address form (only needed by individuals who want to update their details in person at a Service NSW centre rather than online).
Update your name
How to update
You must lodge your application in person at a Service NSW centre.
What you need
- your licence number
- your name change document, such as a marriage certificate or change of name certificate (original copy to be viewed and verified at Service NSW)
- completed change of name and use of other names or aliases form
Replace a licence
If your licence or certificate has been damaged, lost or stolen, you can order a replacement at a Service NSW centre.
What to do
You must lodge your application form and payment in person at a Service NSW centre.
What you need
- completed application for duplicate licence, certificate or permit form
- your personal and licence details
- your payment
Interstate and New Zealand licences
If you have a licence from interstate or New Zealand, and want to apply to work in NSW, see Mutual Recognition.
Insurance requirements
If you are a licensed builder or tradesperson in NSW, you need to get home building compensation (HBC) cover for each home building project over $20,000 including GST.
HBC cover, which used to be called ‘home warranty insurance’, protects homeowners as a last resort if you cannot complete building work or fix defects.
Visit the State Insurance Regulatory Authority's website for more information.
Insolvency
Current bankruptcy
A contractor’s licence in the categories of building or swimming pool building cannot be issued if you are currently bankrupt.
Current external administration
If you are applying for a licence in the categories of building or swimming pool building and are currently the director of a company that is under external administration (other than external administration resulting from a member's voluntary winding up of the body corporate), and if we grant you a contractor licence, it may be with conditions.
Bankruptcy or external administration within three years
If you are applying for a licence and have been discharged from bankruptcy or were previously a director of a company in external administration (other than external administration resulting from a member's voluntary winding up of the body corporate), and if we grant you a contractor licence, it may come with the condition:
- 'contracts not to exceed $20,000 in value' or
- 'contracts not to exceed $20,000 in value, except for subcontract to licensed contractor'.
Cancelled or suspended licences
Your licence or certificate can be cancelled or suspended if you:
- become involved in unlawful activity
- get a licence by misrepresentation or fraudulent means
- become bankrupt or subject to a winding up order
Also, if the holder of a company or partnership licence goes more than 30 days without an acceptable nominated supervisor, without prior consent from Fair Trading, the licence will be cancelled.
If your licence is cancelled, we will not refund any of the fees paid.
Immediate action required
If your licence or certificate has been cancelled or suspended you must immediately:
- stop all business activity that relates to the licence or certificate
- remove any sign or advertisement which indicates the conduct of business activity that relates to the licence or certificate
- return the licence or certificate to NSW Fair Trading by mail or at a Service NSW centre.
You should also let your clients know, either verbally or in writing, that your licence has been cancelled or suspended and you are unable to complete any unfinalised work.
Automatic licence suspension
Your licence will be automatically suspended if you do not comply with an order by a court or the NSW Civil or Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) to pay money for a building claim. Read more.
Builders Continuing Professional Development
If you are an individual who holds a building or pool building licence or certificate, you are required to do Continuing Professional Development (CPD). Read more.