Apply for a demolition licence

Introduction

There are 2 types of demolition licence. You can apply for them both online.

Note: New demolition licence regulations commence from 1 March 2023. For more information, please visit new regulations for demolition licence holders.

Unrestricted demolition licence (DE1) – demolish (or partly demolish) any structure or part of a structure that:

• is over 15 metres in height
• is a chemical installation
• involves a tower crane
• involves a mobile crane with a rated capacity of more than 100 tonnes
• has structural components that are pre-tensioned or post-tensioned
• involves floor propping
• involves explosives.

Restricted demolition licence (DE2) – demolish (or partly demolish) any structure or part of a structure that:

• is between 6 metres and 15 metres in height
• will affect its load-bearing capacity or structural integrity
• involves the use of load shifting machinery on a suspended floor.

You can add unrestricted demolition types to a DE2 licence if you want to carry out some of the work of a DE1 licence holder.

No licence is required for the demolition of buildings/structures/installations that are less than 6 metres in height, and that do not involve DE1 or DE2 conditions.

Note: The person who'll be holding the licence must complete the application.

Eligibility

To be eligible to hold a licence you must:

• be operating a business
• have an Australian Business Number (ABN) or Australian Company Number (ACN)
• be a legal representative of the business
• be aged 18 or over
• have at least one approved supervisor.

Note: to be a legal representative of the business you must be:

• for a company, a director 
• for all others, the ABN holder/owner or the manager of the business.

What you need

• a MyServiceNSW Account
• your proof of identity such as a driver licence, passport or Medicare card
• a workers compensation insurance certificate of currency (if applicable)
• a public liability insurance certificate of currency that lists your business activity as ‘demolition’
• your nominated supervisor(s).

Supervisors

As the licensee, you must have one or more named supervisors attached to your licence.

• You can nominate yourself or another person as your supervisor.

To nominate yourself

If you’ve previously been a supervisor, you'll need to provide:

• the demolition licence details for the business whose work you’ve supervised most recently.

If you have not previously been a supervisor, you'll need to provide:

• certificates or transcripts from a registered training organisation to show you’ve completed 11 units of competency
• evidence of experience working on at least 2 or 3 jobs covering relevant industries and/or each unrestricted demolition type on the licence applied for.

Evidence of experience includes:

• Unrestricted (DE1) licence
  • at least 2 jobs for each of the 7 unrestricted demolition types completed within the last 10 years
  • project names, dates and locations
  • a detailed description of the work you undertook and your role
  • safe work method statements (SWMS) covering each of the 7 unrestricted demolition types
  • reference letters signed and dated with a referee's contact details
  • please visit named supervisors (unrestricted) for more evidence of experience information. 
• Restricted (DE2) licence
  • at least 3 jobs in relevant industries (for example, civil construction) completed within the last 5 years
  • a detailed description of the work you undertook and your role
  • safe work method statements (SWMS) for each of the 3 jobs
  • reference letters, signed and dated with a referee's contact details
  • please visit named supervisors (restricted) for more evidence of experience information.
  • Note: if you add unrestricted demolition types to a DE2 licence application, you will need to provide the evidence required under DE1 above for each unrestricted demolition type added.
• You may also provide demolition plans, photos, site inductions, work diaries or logbooks as evidence.

To nominate another person

• Download Demolition supervisor nomination form – PDF and ask the person to complete it. Upload the completed form during your online application.

How to apply

1. 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. 
2. Log in, or create your MyServiceNSW Account.
3. Complete the online form.
4. Gather and upload your supporting documents, including the supervisor nomination form(s) (if applicable).
5. Make your payment.
6. Submit your application.
7. Visit a Service NSW Centre with your photo ID within 30 days of submitting your application.

More information

• After you’ve submitted your application, SafeWork NSW will assess it and decide if a demolition licence can be issued.
• If you withdraw your application or are refused a licence, the processing fee will not be refunded.
• Demolition licences last for 5 years.
• You must carry out a risk assessment before you start any demolition work.
• You must display a copy of your licence at the demolition site.
• Your named supervisor must be present when you carry out demolition work.
• You must notify SafeWork NSW at least 5 working days before you carry out any demolition work that involves:
  • demolishing a structure, or part of a structure that is loadbearing or otherwise related to the physical integrity of the structure, that is at least 6 meters in height
  • load-shifting machinery (such as an excavator) on a suspended floor
  • explosives.

To make sure you have all the information you need to complete this transaction, please visit SafeWork NSW.