Registered Master Builders Reserve Judgment

Registered Master Builders Reserve Judgment on New Licensing Scheme

The Registered Master Builders Federation has reiterated its concerns about key unresolved elements of the Government’s Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP) scheme launched today.

The long-awaited scheme signals significant and positive change for the building and construction industry, said RMBF chief executive Pieter Burghout, but yet to be finalised regulation around both defining 'restricted work' and exemptions to owner-builder improvements (those carried out by DIYers) remain of significant concern.

“Unfortunately the proposed DIY exemption allows a loophole for unscrupulous builders to exploit, as was the case when similar exemptions were introduced in Australia and Canada, and this could potentially jeopardise the whole licensing scheme,” Mr Burghout said.

“During the past couple of years, we have worked extensively with the Minister for Building and Construction and the Department of Building and Housing to ensure a licensing regime that is both workable for builders and provides solid protection for consumers.

“We are still committed to achieving that outcome.”

The RMBF believes that once the issues around defining restricted building work and the DIY exemptions are resolved, the new licensing regime will be good for the industry. It should stop rogues masquerading as genuine builders, and will encourage all people in the industry to have their skills recognised and become qualified.

“As much as we would like to be wholeheartedly endorsing the scheme, at this point we aren’t in a position to do so. We need to see the detail around the DIY issue,” said Mr Burghout.

ENDS

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