Building Commission NSW

Ready to step up from supervising jobs to contracting as a NSW builder?

BLS helps experienced builders and supervisors work out whether they need an individual contractor licence, qualified supervisor certificate or company application, then prepares the supporting documents with them.

Start the 60-second check All services

Know which NSW application fits your next move

See whether your qualifications and experience are ready

Take the required documents to Service NSW

What the regulator will ask for

Applying for general building work in NSW?

Before you lodge, decide whether you will contract in your own name, supervise for an employer or trade through a company. That choice controls the application and the documents you need.

NSW references

Official sources used to verify the summary on this page.

NSW general building work

Will you contract or only supervise?

A contractor licence lets an individual or business contract and advertise for the work shown on the licence. A qualified supervisor certificate allows supervision but does not let the holder contract or advertise.

Can you meet the general building requirements?

General building work requires the correct licence or certificate. You must also have the qualifications and experience required for that category before applying.

What do you take to Service NSW?

Individual contractor licence applicants generally lodge in person with proof of identity, a recent police check, qualifications, experience details and any required referee statement.

What happens after lodgement?

Building Commission NSW assesses the application. It may ask for more information, which can extend processing time.

What BLS does for you

Get the NSW application and paperwork sorted before you lodge.

BLS checks which application fits your role and helps gather the qualification, experience, referee and identity documents it requires.

Help with the application

You know the work. We help get the application sorted.

Check whether you should apply as an individual contractor, qualified supervisor or company contractor.

Confirm that general building is the category you need.

Prepare a document list covering qualifications, experience, referees, identity and the police check.

Review weak or missing evidence before you attend lodgement.

Who this is for

Builders applying for NSW general building work.

Supervisors moving from employment into contracting.

Applicants unsure whether their experience supports the category they want.

When another service may fit better

Applications that need legal, financial or disciplinary advice outside BLS’s service.

Situations where the required work history, qualifications or records cannot be provided.

Service and cost

Know what is included before you proceed.

Licence and registration applications vary by state, class and how much preparation is needed. The free check gives BLS enough information to explain the service and provide a quote.

What affects the quote

The quote depends on where you are applying, the type of application, what records you already have and how much preparation is still needed.

BLS confirms the included application and evidence work before you proceed.

Regulator, RTO, insurance, police check and other third-party fees are separate unless a proposal expressly includes them.

RPL or training is recommended only where a genuine qualification gap is identified.

The regulator or RTO assesses the application or qualification and makes the final decision.

Your next step

Start with the 60-second check.

Get clear on your likely licence, gaps and next step before you pay for training or start pulling the paperwork together.

Start the 60-second check