The NSW Owner Builder Course (which, prior to 1 July 2015, was known as the accredited course 91509NSW Course in Owner Builder Compliance) is the mandatory course that all individuals must complete prior to being eligible to apply for a NSW Owner Builder Permit (unless an exemption applies).

The Owner Builder Course the five (5) mandatory units of competency as set by NSW Fair Trading which we have grouped into three Modules:

• Work Health and Safety
• Drawings, Estimating and Cash Flow
• Managing the Work

In addition to the Owner Builder Course, you will also need to complete a White Card Course (known as the unit CPCCWHS1001 Prepare to work safely in the construction industry), which is a very basic safety course for all individuals who carry out work in the construction industry. Every Owner Builder in NSW must also have a White Card, and you are able to also complete your White Card Course with us – it does not matter in which order you complete the White Card / Owner Builder courses.

If you already hold a White Card that has been issued:

• less than 2 years ago, you will be able to complete our NSW Owner Builder Course and apply for an Owner Builder Permit using your existing White Card
• 2 or more years ago, and you have not been working in the construction industry, you will need to  complete a current White Card Course in addition to the NSW Owner Builder Course in order to be able to apply for an Owner Builder Permit.

In order to obtain an Owner Builder Permit in NSW, you must:

• be at least 18 years of age
• own, or have a prescribed interest in, the residential land where the construction work will to be carried out
• live or intend to live in the completed home

If the market value of the labour and materials of your Owner Builder project will be $20,000 or more, you will also need to complete the NSW Owner Builder Course (see below) unless you are exempt from doing so by NSW Fair Trading.

Owner-builders need to provide evidence of training for the following compulsory units of competency:

1. CPCCWHS2001 – Apply WHS Requirements, Policies And Procedures In The Construction Industry
2. CPCCOM2001 – Read and Interpret Plans
3. CPCCCM1011 – Undertake Basic Estimation and Costing
4. CPCCOM1013 – Plan and Organize Work
5. CPCCOM1014 – Conduct Workplace Communication

Upon satisfactory completion of the owner-builder and white-card courses, students will receive a Nationally Recognised “Statement of Attainment” with which they can apply to the NSW Office of Fair Trading (Service NSW) for their owner-builder permit.

Service NSW will issue the permit in person over the counter (or 72 hours if you apply online).