- Builder registration not required for construction of some buildings up to $50,000 from 1 July
- More choice for households and businesses building sheds, garages and carports
- Cutting unnecessary red tape while maintaining building permits and other compliance measures
The Cook Government is cutting red tape for lower-risk sheds, carports and similar non-habitable buildings valued at less than $50,000 by removing the requirement for registered builders to carry out the building work.
Currently, a registered building contractor is generally required for building work worth more than $20,000.
From 1 July 2026, the threshold will increase to $50,000 for Class 10a buildings such as sheds, carports and private garages. Building permit requirements remain unchanged.
The change reflects rising building costs and the lower risk profile of many non-habitable buildings.
It will give consumers more choice and help Western Australian small businesses take on a wider range of work, while registered builders can focus on higher-priority housing projects.
Safety and compliance will be maintained through building permit obligations and the requirement for all building work to comply with building standards. Complaints about unsatisfactory or defective works can still be made by consumers to the Building Commissioner.
Owners must ensure that a building permit is obtained from their relevant local government before construction commences.
The $20,000 threshold remains unchanged for all other building work that requires builder registration.
As stated by Commerce Minister Dr Tony Buti:
"The Cook Government is focused on practical reform and cutting unnecessary regulation while keeping Western Australians safe.
"Lifting the builder registration threshold for certain low-risk Class 10a buildings to $50,000 brings the rules into line with today's costs without changing building permit requirements.
"It means more choice for people building a shed, carport or garage and more opportunity for capable local businesses to compete for the work.
"And it helps free up registered builders to focus on higher-risk work and the housing pipeline, where Western Australians need them most."
