WA Building Licence Verification
Check Western Australian building contractor registrations against the official Building Commission register. Verify builders, painters, and building surveyors operating in WA.
About the WA Building Commission
The Building Commission sits within the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) and is responsible for regulating the building and construction industry in Western Australia. It administers the Building Services (Registration) Act 2011 which requires building service providers to be registered.
Western Australia has a unique registration model rather than a licensing model. Building service contractors, building surveyors, painters, and building service providers must all be registered with the Building Commission before performing work.
Key facts about WA building regulation:
- Registration is mandatory for builders doing work over $20,000
- Home indemnity insurance required for residential work over $20,000
- Painters must be registered — WA is one of the few states that specifically regulates painters
- Owner-builders need approval from the Building Commission for work over $20,000
WA Registration Categories
Western Australia registers building service providers across these categories:
General building and construction work
Specialist building services
All classes of buildings
Restricted building classes
Commercial and residential painting
Approved for own residential building work
Note: WA also regulates electrical workers and plumbers through the EnergySafety and Plumbers Licensing Board respectively, which operate under different registration systems.
WA Building Industry Requirements
Home Indemnity Insurance
In WA, builders must obtain Home Indemnity Insurance (HII) before commencing any residential building work valued over $20,000. This protects homeowners against loss if the builder dies, disappears, or becomes insolvent. The insurance is provided through the Insurance Commission of WA.
Building Permits
Most building work in WA requires a building permit, issued by the relevant local government authority. A certified application (checked by a registered building surveyor) or an uncertified application can be submitted depending on the complexity.
Dispute Resolution
The Building Commission provides a building dispute resolution service through the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT). Homeowners and builders can access mediation and adjudication for disputes related to building work quality and contract issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check a builder's registration in WA?
Use our WA licence search to check any registered building service provider. Enter their name or registration number to verify their status. You can also use the Building Commission's online register directly at commerce.wa.gov.au.
What information is available for WA registrations?
Our WA data includes the contractor's name, registration number, registration category (Builder, Painter, Building Surveyor), current status, and associated business details. This helps confirm a contractor is authorised to perform specific types of building work in WA.
How current is the WA data?
WA registration data is updated regularly from the Building Commission public register. Visit our Status page for the latest update timestamp. For urgent verification needs, we recommend cross-checking with the Building Commission directly.
Does WA require painters to be registered?
Yes, WA is notable for requiring painters to be registered with the Building Commission. This is not common in all states — for example, QLD and NSW do not require separate painter registration. Our search includes registered painters in the WA dataset.
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