Western Australia runs its own frameworks through the Building Services Board: registration, the Home Building Contracts Act, a recently replaced Security of Payment regime, WorkCover WA, the CTF training levy and WorkSafe WA. Here is what operating in WA means. (Figures are indicative 2025-26 — confirm current.)
Licensing (Building Services Board)
Under the Building Services (Registration) Act 2011 there are two types: Building Contractor Registration for businesses that contract for building-permit work valued $20,000 or more (you need financial and organisational capacity and at least one nominated registered supervisor), and Building Practitioner Registration for the individuals who supervise the work. The standard pathway (Set 1) is a Diploma of Building and Construction plus 7 years' experience; processing takes around 14 weeks and you renew every 3 years. See Licensing in WA, SA, TAS, ACT & NT.
Contracts (Home Building Contracts Act 1991)
This Act regulates fixed-price home building contracts valued $7,500 to $500,000: they must be written, dated and signed; deposits are capped at 6.5%; progress payments only cover work done or materials supplied; "rise and fall" price-variation clauses are prohibited; and builders are liable for defects notified within 4 months of practical completion. Penalties run to $10,000 (individuals) / $50,000 (companies). See Residential Contracts & the ACL.
Home warranty (HII)
Home Indemnity Insurance is compulsory for residential building over $20,000 (excluding standalone associated work like pools or pergolas). See Home Warranty Insurance.
Getting paid (SOP Act 2021)
The old Construction Contracts Act 2004 was replaced by the Building and Construction Industry (Security of Payment) Act 2021 for contracts entered from 1 August 2022. It provides rapid adjudication — applications lodged within 20 business days of becoming entitled to claim — and late payments attract interest at the greater of the contract rate or 6% per annum. See Security of Payment — WA, SA, TAS, NT & ACT.
Workers' comp (WorkCover WA)
WorkCover WA administers the scheme under the Workers Compensation and Injury Management Act 2023. Premiums are risk-rated by trade — recommended 2026/27 construction rates range from around 1.46% for house construction up to roughly 5.6% for carpentry and roofing (treat these as guidance; they are recommended rates and move every year). In subcontracting chains a principal can be liable, so everyone in the chain needs cover. See Workers' Compensation.
The CTF training levy
The Construction Training Fund levy is 0.2% of the estimated construction value on all WA construction work over $20,000 (incl GST), paid by the project owner before construction starts — whether or not a building permit is required. It funds training subsidies that come back to the industry.
WHS (WorkSafe WA)
Under the Work Health and Safety Act 2020 (WA), WorkSafe's construction priorities are fall prevention, excavation safety, electrical work on sites (Perth metro), machine guarding and hazardous chemicals, with proactive inspection campaigns. See Model WHS & PCBU Duties.
Common mistakes
- Contracting building-permit work at $20k+ without Building Contractor Registration.
- Taking a deposit above the 6.5% cap, or slipping a rise-and-fall clause into a home contract.
- Missing the 20-business-day adjudication window under the 2021 SOP Act.
- Forgetting the 0.2% CTF levy on a $20k+ project.
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