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Roofing is such an important part of building construction, special skills are required in order to ensure a building is waterproof and that water runoff from the roof is controlled. Roofing comes in a variety of materials. The two most commonly used materials are:
Each material requires special techniques. Some roofing professionals specialise in one type of material or product only, whilst others may be able to install all types of roofing for you.
Licensing of Roofers
Because of the different skill sets required by roofers, many states require different licences for different types of roofing jobs. These may include:
Scroll down to our state-by-state entries to find specific licensing requirements for roofing in your state or territory.
Types of Roofing Jobs
In addition to installing new roofs, roofing experts also may engage in a number of other related jobs including:
Some jobs may require additional licences or endorsements (permissions) depending on your state or an area of your state or territory.
Fair Trading is the statutory body charged with issuing trade licences in New South Wales. There is a variety of Fair Trading licences for roofers in NSW:
In addition, roofers in New South Wales are authorised to install skylights, ventilation units and similar products in roofs made from materials they are licensed to install.
In Victoria, building tradespersons must register with the Victorian Building Commission (VBA). According to VBA regulations, a Registered Building Practitioner (RBP) must carry out building work and renovations valued at over $5,000 (materials and labour). The VBA recognises three classes of builder:
If the builder holds a Domestic Builder – Limited (DB-L) registration card, the card should clearly state the job categories they are authorised to carry out. Your roofing practitioner’s registration card will have the added code letter “K” added. This signifies that they are registered to carry out “Improvements to roof” work that includes all types of roof and roof repair work.
If the job costs less than $5,000, the VBA considers it a “home improvement project” and recommends:
Hiring only a registered roofing specialist regardless of the cost is your best assurance the tradie you hire is qualified for the job.
The Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) issues trade licences in your state. Two general classes of licence are issued by the QBCC:
The Nominee Supervisor is typically an employee working for a contractor, while a contractor’s licence is a full licence and includes supervision of workers.
A licensed tradesperson must be carry out any building or home improvement project that costs over $3,300 in Queensland. For roofing, the person or company you hire must hold one or both of two contractor’s licences:
These licences entitle the holder to supervise or carry out all types of roofing jobs associated with the type of roofing work they are licensed to perform. A Roof and Wall Cladding licence does not include clay or concrete roof tiling and a Roof Tiling licence does not include metal roofing materials such as Colorbond.
Consumer and Business Services (CBS) governs all building trades in South Australia. Building contractors in SA must have contractor’s licences and building practitioners who work for contractors and supervise the work of others must hold supervisor’s licences.
Both contractor’s and supervisor’s licences are subject to “Standard Registration Conditions” that include “scope of work” limitations. Roofing specialists can have one or more of several “scope of work” specifications:
As in other states, “roof plumbing” includes metal roofing materials such as Colorbond, but does not include roof tiling materials such as clay or concrete tiles or slate.
The Building Commission of the Department of Commerce governs building-related trades in Western Australian. State-wide, one of two types of building licence is required for any work that costs $20,000:
Most reputable roofing companies in WA are registered building contractors and belong to an associated trade organisation such as the Master Builders Association (MBA) and/or the Housing Industry Association (HIA).
The Department of Justice governs building trades in Tasmania. “Accreditation” by the Department of Justice is the equivalent to a trade licence in other states. Although there is no specific accreditation category for roofing, roofing is included in the definition of building work, which includes “construction, demolition, alteration, addition, relocation or repair” of buildings.
A building practitioner in Tasmania can be accredited for one of three types of building work:
For most domestic roofing jobs, “Builder – Low Rise” accreditation is sufficient.
In the ACT, a “Construction Practitioner’s Licence” is required for all types of building work, including roofing. There are four classes of licence. Class A and B licences are for working on buildings three storeys or higher. For most domestic work, a Class C or D licence is required:
Your roofing professional’s licence should clearly state the type of work they are endorsed (authorised) to carry out and any job restrictions will also be stated on their card.
Supervised workers do not require a licence, but they must hold a “Construction Induction Card” (sometimes called a “white card”). This card is evidence they have taken relevant training and safety courses for working in the construction industry.
In the Northern Territory, the Building Practitioners Board is responsible for registering builders and building related trades. A builder’s licence is not required for:
Although roofing does not require a builder’s licence in the Northern Territory, many roofing professionals are licensed and all building practitioners in the NT are expected to comply with Building Code Australia (BCA) standards and the Australian Government Building Code of Practice.
In some parts of the NT, a Home Improvement Licence is required for all home improvement projects that cost over $3,000. Check with your local council to find out if this is the case in your area.
To ensure you get professional service: