South Australia runs through Consumer and Business Services (CBS) for licensing, the SA Security of Payment Act for payment, ReturnToWorkSA for injury cover, a construction long-service levy, PlanSA for approvals, and SafeWork SA priorities. Here is what operating in SA means. (Figures are indicative 2025-26 — confirm current.)
Licensing (CBS)
Under the Building Work Contractors Act 1995, anyone carrying out building work for others (or for sale/lease) needs a CBS building work contractor's licence — and that captures subcontractors, not just head contractors. You generally need relevant qualifications and experience, an approved business-criteria course, a current National Police Certificate, and the business showing around $10,000 net tangible assets (or accepting a restricted subcontractor licence below that). You nominate a registered building work supervisor, and you must not advertise or hold yourself out as a contractor unless licensed. See Licensing in WA, SA, TAS, ACT & NT.
Getting paid (SOP Act 2009)
The Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 2009 (SA) gives a statutory progress-payment right and bans "pay when paid" — but note it excludes most direct residential homeowner contracts. Payment claims are served within 6 months of the work (unless the contract says otherwise); the respondent's payment schedule is due within the earlier of 15 business days or the contract timeframe. See Security of Payment — WA, SA, TAS, NT & ACT.
Workers' comp (ReturnToWorkSA)
Compulsory cover under the Return to Work Act 2014, managed by ReturnToWorkSA, funding medical, rehab and income support. The premium is risk-rated by your SAIC industry code, charged per $100 of remuneration — construction codes attract higher rates, adjusted for claims experience. See Workers' Compensation.
The construction long-service levy
SA's portable long-service scheme for construction (Construction Industry Long Service Leave Act 1987) is a 2.00% levy on total remuneration (excluding apprentices), with bi-monthly returns within 21 days; casual workers count if they work 3+ days in a month at 5+ hours a day. (Do not confuse it with the separate 2.2% community-services portable LSL that started on 1 October 2025 — that scheme is not for tradies.) See Portable Long Service Leave.
Approvals (PlanSA)
Development applications go through the PlanSA portal. Minor works may be exempt under the Planning, Development and Infrastructure (General) Regulations 2017, otherwise the work is code-assessed or performance-assessed. See State Planning Systems and Building Approval & Inspection Workflow.
WHS (SafeWork SA)
A dedicated 12-month Construction Compliance Campaign from 1 July 2025 targets residential scaffolding, asbestos removal, high-risk occupations and crystalline silica. See Model WHS & PCBU Duties.
Common mistakes
- Subcontracting building work without realising the CBS licence captures subbies, not just head contractors.
- Assuming the SA SOP Act covers a direct homeowner contract (it usually does not).
- Confusing the 2% construction long-service levy with the 2.2% community-services scheme.
- Skipping the PlanSA exemption check and assuming minor works need no approval.
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