Permits and Owner Builder Courses
Where do I apply for my Owner Builder Permit?
In each state there is a governing body that regulates Owner Builder Training and Permits (or Owner Builder Licences as they are sometimes called). The following web sites will give you more information depending on which state you are seeking to build in:
Generally speaking you will have to undertake a course, complete some administration work and then apply for the Owner Builder Permit from the regulator along with paying the required application fee.
If I have a previous Owner Builder Permit, do I have to do the Owner Builder Course again?
If you have undertaken an Owner Builder project in another state then you have to go through the process again in the state that you are now in. If the Owner Builder Course is compulsory in your state then yes, you will have to undertake the course again.
If you are doing a new Owner Builder project in the same state then first of all you must have waited the minimum time period before you can undertake a new project. Sometimes 6 or 7 years depending on the local legislation.
If it has been longer than 6 or 7 years then you must undertake the process again in order to obtain your permit and so yes, that means doing the Owner Builder Course again if it is required.
Do I have to do the Owner Builder Course?
Depending in which state you are going to build, the Owner Builder Course is either compulsory or recommended. We recommend that you undertake a comprehensive learning process before embarking on your project. In Qld it is a mandatory requirement to undertake the relevant Owner Builder Course and that the course be delivered by a Nationally Accredited Registered Training Organisation (RTO). In NSW you must complete a course but it is not regulated. We believe that all states will soon follow the lead of Queensland and provide a formal, recognised certificate course in Owner Building that everyone will need to undergo prior to recieving their permit.
The only time you will not be required to do the course is if you can show that through your current qualifications, skill and experience you can be issued with a permit due to what is called Recognised Prior Learning. Again, the rules are slightly different in each state so contact the organisation that regulates Owner Building and discuss your situation before applying. Also visit the web sites mentioned above.
Having said that there are many trades people who have completed the Owner Builder course even though they may have qualified for RPL status. The reason is that the Owner Builder course is designed to be a comprehensive tool to assist people to be professional Project Managers. So although you may be experienced in a particular area of the building industry there is alot of additional value that you can gain from undertaking a course. Not to mention that the course manual is a tool that you can refer to throughout the project.
How much does it cost to do the Owner Builder Course?
As the course contents differ for each state then so does the price. There are some pricing options available depending on these factors. The course offered at Owner Builder Training is one of the most competitively priced on the market and is backed by comprehensive service and delivered by experienced industry professionals.
To find out more please contact us.
Do I have to do the Owner Builder Course in a Classroom?
No. Queensland currently has the most comprehensive course and it requires about 12 hours of study. Most people would find this very difficult to give up an entire weekend or several evenings. For this reason our package is written and delivered based on Adult Education Distance Learning Principles.
You can complete the course at your own pace using the structured participant assessment workbook. In addition you can access support by calling our 1300 number (service available seven days a week). This service is facilitated by experienced building industry professionals who hold relevant training qualifications.
To find out more about the Owner Builder Course available to you please visit the Owner Builder Course page.