How to Verify a Contractor Licence in Western Australia
Western Australia's building industry is regulated by the Building Commission, part of the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS). WA uses a registration system for building service providers under the Building Services (Registration) Act 2011, covering builders, building surveyors, painters, and building services providers.
WA's licensing framework requires anyone carrying out "building work" — defined broadly to include construction, renovation, alteration, and demolition of buildings — to hold the appropriate registration. The registration system is designed to ensure that building practitioners meet minimum competency, financial, and insurance requirements. For homeowners and businesses engaging contractors in WA, checking registration is a fundamental step in protecting your investment and ensuring compliance with state law.
Step-by-Step: How to Check a WA Contractor Registration
Obtain the contractor's details
You can search the WA register using the contractor's registration number, name, or business name. Registered building contractors in WA are required to display their registration number on contracts, written quotations, and advertising materials. The registration number is the quickest way to find an exact match.
Search the DMIRS online register
Go to the WA Building Commission Register. The register allows you to search for registered building service providers and view their registration details, categories, conditions, and current status.
Verify via WorkClear for multi-state coverage
WorkClear's WA licence search pulls from the same Building Commission data, updated daily. Use WorkClear when you need to verify contractors across multiple states, want API access for automated checks, or need to run bulk verification against a roster of subcontractors. WorkClear provides a consistent data format across all states, making it easier to integrate into compliance workflows.
What to Look for in WA Registration Results
- Registration status: Check for "Current" or "Active". Statuses such as "Expired", "Suspended", or "Cancelled" mean the contractor is not authorised to perform building work.
- Registration category: WA distinguishes between different categories of building service providers — builders (unrestricted), builders (restricted), building surveyors, painters, and others. Ensure the contractor's category matches the work you need done.
- Class of registration: Within the builder category, there are different classes based on the maximum value of work the builder can undertake. A builder registered only for work up to $500,000 cannot legally take on a $1 million project.
- Conditions: The Building Commission can impose conditions on registrations — for example, supervision requirements or restrictions to specific types of building work. Review any conditions carefully.
- Disciplinary history: Check whether the Building Services Board has taken any disciplinary action against the practitioner, including reprimands, fines, or conditions imposed following complaints.
WA's Regulatory Framework
Governing legislation
Building services in WA are governed by the Building Services (Registration) Act 2011, the Building Services (Complaint Resolution and Administration) Act 2011, and the Home Building Contracts Act 1991. The Registration Act establishes who must be registered and the categories of registration. The Complaint Resolution Act creates the framework for resolving disputes between consumers and building practitioners. The Home Building Contracts Act provides specific protections for residential building projects, including requirements for written contracts, progress payment schedules, and statutory warranties.
The regulatory body: Building Commission (DMIRS)
The Building Commission, within DMIRS, is the regulatory authority for building services in Western Australia. It administers the registration system, investigates complaints about building practitioners, and provides information and dispute resolution services. The Building Services Board, an independent statutory body, makes decisions on registration applications, disciplinary matters, and appeals. Together, these entities ensure that building practitioners in WA meet and maintain the required standards.
Penalties for unregistered building work
Under the Building Services (Registration) Act 2011, it is an offence to carry out building services without holding the appropriate registration. Penalties include fines of up to $50,000. The consequences extend beyond monetary penalties:
- Building permits may be refused or revoked for work carried out by unregistered practitioners
- Home indemnity insurance will not cover work done by unregistered builders
- The statutory warranties under the Home Building Contracts Act may not apply
- Building disputes arising from unregistered work may be harder to resolve through official channels
Home indemnity insurance
WA requires builders to obtain home indemnity insurance (HII) for residential building work valued at $20,000 or more. HII protects homeowners if the builder dies, disappears, or becomes insolvent and is unable to complete the work or rectify defects. In WA, HII covers both structural and non-structural defects for 6 years from the date of practical completion. The builder must provide you with a certificate of insurance before any work begins.
Important: WA's home indemnity insurance requirement was temporarily suspended for some contract types in 2022 but has been reinstated. Always confirm that your builder has obtained HII and provides you with the certificate of currency before signing the contract and allowing work to commence.
Common WA Registration Types
| Registration Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Building Contractor — Unrestricted | All classes of buildings with no value or scope restrictions |
| Building Contractor — Restricted | Limited to specific classes of buildings or a maximum contract value |
| Building Surveyor — Level 1 | Issue building permits and certificates of occupancy for all building classes |
| Building Surveyor — Level 2 | Issue building permits for specified building classes only |
| Painter | Painting and decorating work (separate registration category in WA) |
| Building Service Provider | Ancillary building services such as project management and construction management |
WA's registration system is distinctive in that it includes painters as a separate registration category — most other states cover painting under a general trade contractor licence. The unrestricted vs. restricted distinction for builders is based on the maximum value and complexity of projects they can undertake. If your project is large or complex, ensure the builder holds an unrestricted registration.
Tip: WA also has a separate licensing system for plumbers and electricians, administered by the Plumbers Licensing Board and the Electrical Licensing Board respectively. If your project involves plumbing or electrical work, you'll need to verify those licences separately. WorkClear's WA data covers the Building Commission register; plumbing and electrical licences may require checking those separate registers.
Why Verification Matters in Western Australia
Western Australia's building industry has undergone significant change in recent years, with the Building Commission implementing new compliance measures and increasing enforcement activity. The WA government has also introduced reforms to strengthen the home indemnity insurance scheme and improve consumer protection for residential building projects.
For consumers, verifying a builder's registration before signing a contract is the first and most important step in protecting your investment. For businesses, especially those operating contractor platforms, insurance underwriting, or construction project management systems, WorkClear's API provides a reliable way to verify WA registrations alongside licences from every other Australian jurisdiction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it free to check a contractor's registration in WA?
Yes. The DMIRS Building Commission provides a free online register search. WorkClear also offers unlimited web lookups for WA registrations with a free account. Automated API access is available through paid WorkClear plans.
How often is WA licence data updated?
WorkClear synchronises WA Building Commission data daily. Changes to registration status, categories, and any new conditions or sanctions are reflected within 24 hours.
What if a WA contractor's registration has expired?
A contractor with an expired registration is not permitted to enter into new building contracts or carry out building work. If they are mid-project, work should cease until the registration is renewed. You should not make payments for work done by an unregistered contractor.
Can I verify WA licences alongside other states?
Yes. WorkClear aggregates contractor licence data from all Australian states and territories. You can search WA registrations and then check contractors from any other state in the same session.
What is home indemnity insurance in WA?
Home indemnity insurance (HII) is mandatory in WA for residential building work valued at $20,000 or more. It protects homeowners if the builder dies, disappears, or becomes insolvent. The builder must provide a certificate of insurance before starting work. HII in WA covers structural defects for 6 years and non-structural defects for 6 years from the date of practical completion.
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