As part of its commitment to meeting National Housing Accord targets the Minns Labor Government is injecting $9.2 million across four years into initiatives aimed at increasing the number of building certifiers and speeding up the licensing of building tradespeople.
The critical funding will boost the certifier workforce through reducing red tape and speeding up home building licence application approvals to help fill skills gaps in the building industry.
There are around 1,300 building certifiers across different registration types in NSW working in both private industry and local government, who as public officials play an important role in conducting critical inspections required to finalise residential building approvals.
To ensure the state has enough certifiers to help meet demand as the state pushes towards building 377,000 new homes by 2029, the NSW Government will inject $4.72 million across four years into measures to make it easier for existing certifiers to stay in, and new certifiers to enter, the industry.
Under the changes, new flexible certifier registration options will be introduced, providing pro-rata registration fees for part-time certifiers, and a pause on registration fees for those on extended leave to ensure fees do not disincentivise them from practicing part-time or returning to the profession.
Building Commission NSW will also increase its capacity to process new certifier applications and renewals to facilitate faster entry into the sector.
A free continuing professional development course to support certifiers returning to work after a career break will also encourage those who have been away from the industry to get back into the profession.
Additionally, "Inspecting Up" provisions, which allow restricted building surveyors to conduct critical stage inspections under supervision, will be supported to boost capacity in the industry.
To accommodate the expected increase in the number of trades hoping to enter, re-enter or gain a new licence in the industry, a further $4.48 million across four years will create additional capacity to process home building licence applications.
This will ensure the required rigorous relevant checks and balances are completed at pace when assessing licence and certificate applications as well as renewals.
Building Commission NSW assessed almost 24,000 new home building related licencing applications in the 2024-25 financial year.
Minister for Building Anoulack Chanthivong said:
"Building homes for the people of NSW is a top priority for the Minns Labor Government.
"Certifiers and tradespeople are the backbone of our construction sector, and with this investment we are shifting roadblocks standing in the way of getting more of these vital certifiers and trades on the tools, faster.
"With an average entry age of 49 and exit age of 55, there is a short practicing window for unrestricted certifiers, who are some of the most qualified and experienced professionals in the building industry.
"These reforms will help us attract new certifiers, whose numbers have remained static for years while also overcoming our retention barriers by making it easier to be a part-time certifier.
"The additional funds to boost the licensing team will also help the Building Commission NSW prioritise applications, so new trades can fill the skills gaps the construction sector is facing."
NSW Building Commissioner James Sherrard said:
"Building certifiers play a critical role in checking the compliance of proposed developments with planning, building and other legislative requirements.
"While we need certifiers to enter or return to the industry to meet housing targets, Building Commission NSW will not let speed get in way of quality, safety, and compliance.
"Building Commission NSW has a strong regulatory regime in place for certifiers and will ensure there is proper oversight as more enter the profession and land on sites across NSW."
CEO of Association of Australian Certifiers Jill Brookfield said:
"This funding boost will go a long way to ensure we attract the additional certifiers needed to complete the houses we need to build, and to boost consumer confidence.
"This package provides the right incentives to retain the hardworking independent certifiers we currently have in the industry, by supporting upskilling, embracing work life balance and flexibility, and professional development.
We have been working closely with the Minister on the reforms to building certifier registration and practice and welcome the funding as part of the move to more and better quality homes being delivered."
