Australian Capital Territory
Construction Occupations (Licensing) (Mandatory Qualifications) Declaration 
2015 (No 4)
Notifiable instrument NI2015-530
made under the 
Construction Occupations (Licensing) Regulation 2004, section 13 (Qualifications for individuals)

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

This notifiable instrument is made by the Construction Occupations Registrar under the Construction Occupations (Licensing) Regulation section 13(1) and determines the minimum qualifications and experience that an individual must possess in order to obtain a construction occupation licence.  It makes the following changes to the previous declaration dated 15 May 2015 —

Occupation of Builder

The mandatory qualifications for obtaining a builders licence has changed from the previous declaration. 
1.	A Degree in Architecture has been removed from the list of allowable qualifications for a Class A as the Registrar does not deem this qualification suitable in educating applicants for the purpose of obtaining a Class A Builders licence and having the knowledge to undertake/supervise construction work, noting that the current qualification does not adequately address building code of Australia and the technical requirements required of a builder.
2.	The requirements surrounding building experience timeframes has been clarified. The schedule now defines full time and part time in hours.
3.	The schedule also introduces a requirement to demonstrate post qualification experience of a minimum of 12 months.
4.	The schedule now clarifies the previously defined term ‘relevant practical’. The schedule identifies in detail the type of experience applicants must demonstrate in order to be issued with a Builder licence. This means applicants must have a prescribed set of mandatory building work experience requirements, including in building technology, relevant to the occupation class being applied for. The schedule also clarifies how the experience is to be verified to the satisfaction of the Registrar. 
5.	The Registrar has determined that all owner-builder licences must undertake an owner builder course qualification for the licence. Even though one occupation class of owner-builder only authorises individuals to perform work on non-habitable structures that may already be constructed or require minimal technical experience; the Registrar believes that owner builder courses provide future owner-builder licensees with knowledge surrounding insurance processes and licensee liability for work performed.

Occupation of Building Assessor

The mandatory qualifications for obtaining a building assessor licence have changed from the previous declaration. 
1.	The schedule now declares that all applicants must demonstrate the successful completion of units of competency from the Certificate IV in NatHERS Assessment qualification. The Registrar deems these units of competencies adequate in ensuring applicants who are issued with a Building Assessor licence have core knowledge in performing energy rating assessments. 
2.	The schedule now outlines what is required to obtain an endorsement to perform energy rating assessments in particular software. This will assist in clarifying the requirements for individuals. 

Occupation of Gas Appliance Worker

The requirements surrounding obtaining an Unrestricted Type A Gas Appliance Worker licence has been clarified. The Registrar has deemed that if an applicant is licensed as an Advanced Gasfitter or a General Gasfitter they do not need to undertake the additional units of competency that is required for applicants who have no prior gas qualifications or experience in industry. 

Methods

The schedule now clarifies the different methods that an applicant can use to be eligible for a licence occupation or class. An applicant will be required to meet all components of one method to be issued with a licence. 

Definitions

The definitions for terminology used in the Schedule have been clarified. New definitions include:

1.	Building Technology
2.	Building Work Experience
3.	Competent Person
4.	Independently verified
5.	Relevant practical drainage work experience  
6.	Relevant practical gasfitting work experience  
7.	Relevant practical gas appliance work experience  
8.	Relevant practical plumbing work experience  
9.	Sanitary plumbing work
10.	Specialist building work
11.	Water supply plumbing work