Commercial builders registration Victoria

To become a registered commercial builder in Melbourne, Victoria, you must submit an application with the Victorian Building Authority, pay the application fees, and then complete an assessment and interview to prove you can effectively carry out commercial building work.

When applying for your commercial licence, you need to provide evidence of the following:

• Relevant industry experience, including three commercial jobs that you have done under or with another registered commercial builder
• Job files (e.g. plans, permits, photos)
• Reference from a commercial builder

Next is the online VBA exam which consists of 50 multiple choice questions followed by a one-on-one interview which lasts between 1 and 2 hours.

Compared to the domestic process, applying for a commercial licence is easier assuming you meet the requirements. If you need a structural commercial licence – a CB-L-L, CB-L-M, or CB-U – you must demonstrate proportionate experience in your application.

The assessment consists of 50 multiple choice questions (answered on a computer) and a one-on-one interview (which lasts between 1 and 2 hours).

Yes, we prepare CB-Ls and CB-Us, but you must be able to demonstrate appropriate experience and have a background that matches the category you’re applying for. Obtaining a CB-U for example requires substantial multi-storey work experience, normally ten years at least.

Yes, both domestic and commercial building practitioners need to be registered with the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) in order to legally undertake commercial or domestic building work. The registration process is in place to ensure that builders have the necessary qualifications, knowledge requirements, experience, and capabilities to carry out construction projects in compliance with building regulations and standards.

The length of time varies depending on things like your eligibility, application accuracy, whether you pass the assessments, and VBA processing times.

If you meet the eligibility criteria, you can apply for your registration with the VBA. Doing this manually may slow the process, as the application form requires a lot of attention and will be refused by the VBA if it is not completed to their satisfaction. Working with a training provider like Builder Registration takes the stress out of applying as the team will prepare and submit your application on your behalf while you complete a training course. Courses can take 7-14 weeks depending on the registration you are applying for, and in that time you will receive all the training you need to pass your interview on your first go.

With a commercial registration in Victoria, you can undertake commercial building projects within the scope of your licence class. The registration allows you to operate legally in the commercial construction sector in Victoria in places such as retail spaces, industrial facilities, healthcare facilities, commercial buildings, educational institutions, entertainment venues, and accommodation.

Overseas work experience may be taken into account when applying for builder registration in Victoria. The VBA may evaluate the nature and extent of your overseas experience to determine its relevance to the Australian building industry. Ask one of our qualified builder registration trainers to review your experience and they will be able to offer advice and guidance.