Apply for building practitioner registration

Building practitioners need to apply for registration under legislation to:

• make declarations that class 2 buildings or buildings with a class 2 part will be constructed to designs that are compliant with the Building Code of Australia
• lodge regulated designs on the NSW Planning Portal for class 2 buildings or buildings with a class 2 part.

Class 2 buildings are residential apartment buildings. They’re typically multi-unit, multi-storey buildings where people live above and below each other.

In this application, building practitioners can apply for:

• general
• general (medium rise) or
• general (low rise) 
  • if you’re authorised to make compliance declarations for building work
  • if you prepare and provide required documents for building work
  • if you hold a contractor licence for general building work under the Home Building Act 1989.
• body corporate nominee
• body corporate nominee (medium rise) or
• body corporate nominee (low rise) 
  • if you’re a registered building practitioner that has been nominated by a body corporate
  • if the body corporate that has nominated you holds a building practitioner - body corporate registration
  • if you’re authorised to prepare and provide documents as a building practitioner on behalf of a registered body corporate
  • if you hold a supervisor certificate or you’re authorised to do general building work under the Home Building Act 1989.

You can register for 1, 3 or 5 years. Fees are applicable.

To be eligible to apply, you need to:

• be aged 18 or over
• meet the criteria regarding qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience for the registration class(es) you’re wanting to apply for
• have a current National Police Check that is valid for 4 months when you submit your application (Name and Date of Birth Check only)
• have completed and passed the mandatory Construct NSW learning modules on Navigating the Design and Building Practitioners (DBP) Legislation, and the Value of Australian Standards 
• meet insurance requirements as required.

• a MyServiceNSW Account
• proof of identity such as an Australian driver licence, passport or Medicare card
• your National Police Check certificate that is valid for 4 months when you submit your application (name and date of birth check only)
• your endorsed contractor licence authorising you to do general building work, or a supervisor certificate
• your contact details
• a current credit card for payment.

1. Check the eligibility criteria for the registration types and classes you want to apply for.
2. Gather your certificates and other required documents.
3. Select the ‘Apply online’ button.
   Note: You can save and resume your application, but if you have not submitted it within 60 days, any details you’ve entered will be deleted. 
4. Log in, or create your MyServiceNSW Account.
5. Select and verify your 2 identity documents.
6. Select the registration types and classes you’re applying for.
7. Select the duration of your registration.
8. Answer all questions in the digital form, including those on your suitability to perform the work and your background.
9. Upload your supporting documents.
10. Review your answers and give consent to process your application.
11. Enter your payment details.
12. Select ‘Submit’.

When you apply for registration, you’ll:

• need to wait for your application for registration to be assessed and approved by NSW Fair Trading before you can declare or lodge designs
• be contacted by NSW Fair Trading if further information is needed 
• be notified about the result of your application within 28 days of submitting it (unless placed on hold, pending further information)
• receive your registration ID if approved.