Building Contractor (NSW)

Building Contractor (NSW/ACT)

Education and Training:

To become a building contractor you usually have to complete a certificate or diploma in building and construction. Entry to the certificate and diploma courses below usually requires Year 12. The various institutions have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements or offer external study. Contact the institutions you are interested in for more information as requirements may change.

Certififcate Courses:

TAFE NSW - various locations:

Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Building)

Diploma Courses:

Canberra Institute of Technology - Bruce Campus:

Diploma of Building and Construction (entry via Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Building))

Northern Sydney Institute of TAFE - Hornsby Campus:

Diploma of Building and Construction (Building)

South Western Sydney Institute of TAFE - Granville College:

Diploma of Building and Construction (Building)

Sydney Institute of TAFE - Ultimo Campuses:

Diploma of Building and Construction (Building)

Western Sydney Institute of TAFE - Nirimba College:

Diploma of Building and Construction (Building)

Additional Information:

Building contractors must be registered with the Office of Fair Trading in NSW or the Planning and Land Authority in the ACT, and carry a licence in order to work. Sufficient practical experience must be gained in order to apply for registration. For further information regarding licensing requirements refer to the NSW Office of Fair Trading website (www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au) or the ACT Planning and Land Authority website (www.actpla.act.gov.au).

Those with appropriate building qualifications are eligible to become members of the Australian Institute of Building.

Related Courses:

While the following courses are related to this occupation, they may not necessarily lead directly to employment, nor provide the most direct pathway to the occupation. Courses which provide preliminary or informal training, as well as those which provide additional job skills following initial qualifications may also be listed.

*Course is offered by more than one institution. Click link for details.

Employment Opportunities:

Most building contractors are self-employed as sole proprietors, or work as partners in small companies, or as company directors in larger firms. Building contractors may specialise in one area of construction (e.g. new homes, extensions or renovations of established homes or commercial building construction).

Most work is available in the metropolitan area although there is some opportunity to work in country areas, particularly in centres of mining activity. However, due to variations in industry demand, opportunities can change over a short period. In periods of low activity, builders with a trade qualification may seek alternative employment in their original trade area.