The answer to this question is NO!
SO let’s start with what are these Courses about.
The Cert IV, sometimes referred to as “The Builder Registration Course” are offered by RTO’s (Registered Training Organisations) and TAFE’s that offer training programs and qualifications for those who want further education in Victoria.
RTO’s and TAFE’s offer Courses that can give you a qualification through studying to gain Certificates I, II, III and IV, Diploma, Advanced Diploma and other Certificate and Diploma Courses. At times these organisations get funding and benefits from the Victorian Governments which they can offer funding opportunities to students for cheaper education. If you’ve heard of someone doing, or you are doing a Free Certificate IV Course or a Free Diploma in Building and Construction Course then it’s a sure bet that the Victorian Government is handing out money to RTO’s and TAFE’s which they then offer to you as low-cost training.
At Builders Licence Made Easy, we are all about education and getting people ready to go to the VBA and passing to achieve their dream of becoming a Registered Builder, BUT do you need a Cert IV to get Registered?
If you go to the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) website, the Builder Registration Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) the answer is No. The VBA says that The Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Building) is not a qualification that is required to apply for your Builders Licence in Victoria. There are other qualifications that they will accept like the Diploma. If your qualification is not one that falls in line with qualifications then it will be taken into consideration with your work experience when you apply to the VBA.
So what about the Diploma? Do you need a Diploma in Building Construction (Building) to apply for your Builders Licence to the VBA? NO again. The VBA accepts Applications every day from people that have no qualifications, no certificates, no education. So what does the VBA want if having the Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Building) or the Diploma in Building and Construction (Building) is not necessary?
That’s probably the easiest question to answer – THE VBA WANT YOU TO HAVE EXPERIENCE IN THE CLASS OF REGISTRATION YOU ARE APPLYING FOR TO BE ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE THAT YOU HAVE THE REQUIRED SKILL TO BE REGISTERED.
We work with over 200 people a year in the Building and Construction Industry and about 60% of those people have, No Certificate, No Diploma, NO Qualification at all. What they do have is experience in the industry which is the real key to getting Registered in Victoria with the VBA.
The experience you need is the question that you should be asking yourself because this will depend on the Class of Registration that you are applying for.
When we are talking about getting your Builders Licence in Victoria there are many different Builder Registration types you can apply for.
Registration as Domestic Builder Unlimited (DB-U) is the category that most of our clients want to apply for. The DB-U allows you to build and do most work when it comes to Residential Construction and Domestic Building work in Victoria.
If you are a trade or contractor in the industry then it might be more appropriate to apply for a Domestic Builders Limited Registration which is specific to the work you carry out on a day to day basis. A Domestic Builder Limited (DB-L) Licence consists of a variety of different Classes of Registration and these are listed below. You need to have the right skills and experience to apply and this would mean around 3 years minimum experience in most of the following:
Domestic Builder (Limited to Bricklaying and Blocklaying)
Domestic Builder (Limited to Cabinet Making, Joinery and Stair Construction)
Domestic Builder (Limited to Carpentry)
Domestic Builder (Limited to Door and Window Replacement and Installation)
Domestic Builder (Limited to Earthworks and Excavation)
Domestic Builder (Limited to External Wall Cladding)
Domestic Builder (Limited to Footings and Slab Works)
Domestic Builder (Limited to Framing)
Domestic Builder (Limited to Construction of Gates and Fences)
Domestic Builder (Limited to Construction of Non-Habitable Building Structures)
Domestic Builder (Limited to Construction of Private Bushfire Shelters)
Domestic Builder (Limited to Site Works involved in Relocating)
Domestic Builder (Limited to Re-stumping and Re-blocking)
Domestic Builder (Limited to Roof Tiling)
Domestic Builder (Limited to Construction of Retaining Walls)
Domestic Builder (Limited to Construction of Shade Sails)
Domestic Builder (Limited to Construction of Structural Landscaping)
Domestic Builder (Limited to Construction of Swimming Pools and Spas)
Domestic Builder (Limited to Waterproofing)
The following are other Domestic Builder Limited Class Registrations that you must apply for, only, if you are carrying out two or more of the following:
Domestic Builder (Limited to Attaching External Fixtures)
Domestic Builder (Limited to Floor Finishes and Coverings)
Domestic Builder (Limited to Floor and Wall Tiling)
Domestic Builder (Limited to Glazing)
Domestic Builder (Limited to Insulation)
Domestic Builder (Limited to Painting and Decorating)
Domestic Builder (Limited to Sheeting Plastering)
Domestic Builder (Limited to Solid Plastering and Rendering)
Domestic Builder (Limited to Erection of Poles, Masts and Antennae)
Next Steps to get your Builder Registration
So before you start enrolling in a Diploma in Building and Construction or Certificate IV Building Construction (Building) Course at an RTO the question you should be asking yourself is: Do I have the right experience to apply for Domestic Builder Registration? This is something that you should thinking about before signing up on one of these Courses. There’s no point sitting a 6-month, 1 year or one and half year course studying a couple of nights a week or on weekends on a course that is not going to help you on the road to success at the VBA.
Remember the number one box you need to tick when you apply to Victorian Building Authority (VBA) is having the right level of experience in the industry.
How to Get a Builders Licence in Victoria
Experienced Tradie, Subbie or Site manager? WE CAN HELP!
At Builders Licence Made Easy, we work with hundreds of people every year to apply and achieve their Builders Licence at the VBA. We work with you to make the whole process as straight forward as possible.
If your NEXT STEP is to become a Registered Builder or you want more information on how to get a Builders License in Victoria then CALL US on 0488 27 88 99 (Michael)
We pride ourselves on treating customers as friends and not just as a number or the next pay-cheque.
Get in touch today and see how getting your Licence is closer that you think!
