When HBC cover is required
Your builder or contractor must have home building compensation (HBC) cover before taking any money (including a deposit) or starting work valued at $20,000 or more (including GST) for:
- constructing a new home or new apartment building (up to 3 storeys)
- renovating a home building regardless of height of the building
- swimming pool work.
You may also wish to check for insurance when buying a new home or a home built or renovated within the previous 6 years.
How HBC cover protects you
HBC cover protects you as a last resort if your builder cannot complete the work or honour statutory warranties due to:
- insolvency
- death or disappearance
- licence suspension for failing to compensate a home owner.
How to check
With the HBC Check, you can confirm if your property has valid HBC cover. You can search by:
- insurance certificate number
- principal contractor’s name or licence number
- name of the company or partnership
- property address of the insured work.
Details provided
The HBC Check register provides the:
- insurance certificate issue date
- insured work property address
- principal contractor name and licence number
- insurance claims that have been paid on an insurance certificate.
More information
For more information on home building compensation visit the State Insurance Regulatory Authority.
Last updated: 14 August 2025