Overview

In late 2018, the Victorian Government made amendments to the Building Act 1993 to introduce a new registration and licensing scheme for tradespeople. The scheme aims to reduce non-compliant building work, enhance industry accountability and encourage skills formation. Changes will be implemented for carpentry first, with other trades to follow over a five-year period.

Have your say

The Victorian Government has prepared an Options Paper to seek your views on options to implement the new registration and licensing scheme for carpentry tradespeople. These options have been developed in consultation with key stakeholders.

This Options Paper seeks to:

  • Communicate and seek feedback on options already identified by stakeholders
  • Draw out any new options and ideas for consideration, that can be analysed in the Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) and
  • Seek feedback and information on other issues raised

Submissions on the Options Paper can be made by:

  • Uploading a document to this webpage (see bottom of page)
  • Completing the online survey on this webpage below
  • Emailing your submission directly to building.policy@delwp.vic.gov.au or
  • Posting your submission marked:

Attention: Building Division
Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning
8 Nicholson Street East Melbourne Victoria 3002

Submissions are due by 5 pm on Wednesday, 1 April 2020.

Next steps

In addition to public submissions, the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) will conduct a number of workshops to seek further feedback on the Options Paper. To register your interest in attending a workshop, please email building.policy@delwp.vic.gov.au.

This consultation process will be used to identify feasible options to consider in a RIS, to be released for public comment later this year. Draft regulations showing the preferred approach for implementation of the new scheme for carpentry tradespeople will also be released with the RIS for comment.

Due to the impacts of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic the commencement date of the new carpentry trades registration and licensing scheme has been delayed until the start of 2022.

A Regulatory Impact Statement and draft Regulations are expected to be released in the first quarter of 2021 for public consultation. This postponement will provide more time for adequate consultation with stakeholders on the options that will be outlined in the RIS and on the draft regulations.

Updates on this project will be posted on this site.


The survey closed at 5 pm on Wednesday, 1 April 2020.

1. What carpentry work should only be performed by subcontractors or employees with a registration or licence?

Refer to pg. 21 -22 of the Options Paper

2. If all carpentry work is prescribed, how should classes of registration be defined?

Refer to p. 22-24 of the Options Paper

3. If only some carpentry work is prescribed, how should classes of registration be defined?

Select all that apply. Refer to pg. 22-24 of the Options Paper.

Please list or describe below. Refer to pg. 25 of the Options Paper.

5. What minimum qualifications should be required for registration or licensing?

Refer to pg. 26 of the Options Paper

6. What minimum practical experience should be required for registration or licensing?

Refer to pg. 27 of the Options Paper

7. Should subcontractors and employees meet lower practical experience requirements than head contractors?

Refer to pg. 27 of the Options Paper

8. Should subcontractors and employees have different practical experience requirements?
9. What business competency units should be required for registration as a subcontractor?

Select all that apply. Refer to pg. 28 of the Options Paper.

10. Should any of the below matters prevent a subcontractor from being registered?

Note this applies to subcontractors only. Select all that apply. Refer to pg. 29-30 of the Options Paper.

11. In reference to Question 10, what time period should apply for convictions, findings of guilt, non-compliance with orders and suspensions/cancellations?

Note this applies to subcontractors only. Refer to question 10.

12. Should any of the below financial probity matters prevent a subcontractor from being registered?

Note this applies to subcontractors only. Select all that apply. Refer to pg. 30-31 of the Options Paper

Please list or describe below. A provisional registration is a stepping stone to up skill to a full registration. Refer to pg. 31-35 of the Options Paper.

Please list or describe below. A provisional licence is a stepping stone to up skill to a full licence. Refer to p. 31-35 of the Options Paper.

15. In what circumstances should extra time be allowed to transition from a provisional registration or licence to a full registration or licence?

Note the proposed scheme already provides for a 5 year transition period. Refer to pg. 31-35 of the Options Paper.

16. When should the new registration and licensing scheme commence?

Refer to pg. 36-37 of the Options Paper

The survey form is now closed. Thanks for your contributions.

Or upload a submission

The survey form is now closed. Thanks for your contributions.

Privacy Collection Notice

DELWP is committed to protecting personal information provided by you in accordance with the principles of the Victorian privacy laws. The information you provide will be used in the development of the registration and licensing of building trades scheme. The information you provide may be made available to DELWP and the Minister for Planning. If you do not wish to provide your personal information we will not be able to identify your submission if you wish to access it, make a correction or require technical support. You may access the information you have provided to DELWP by contacting building.policy@delwp.vic.gov.au.