A company can apply for registration separately. A partnership cannot register in its own name, although its partners have requirements to meet.
When the company needs its own registration
BPC’s company guidance explains when the company must be registered to enter major domestic building contracts or be named as the builder on relevant permits under its company name.
The company can only be registered in a category or class covered by at least one registered director. BPC assesses the company and directors’ probity, and the directors must not be excluded persons. Every director must complete the required declaration and national criminal history check, including directors without their own building registration.
Before applying, identify which registered director covers each class sought. Do not assume that one director’s limited registration supports every type of building work the company plans to contract.
Keep the director’s individual registration current
Company registration is an additional registration. It does not transfer or replace the relevant director’s individual registration.
BPC requires the individual registration to stay current for the company to remain registered. Annual fees, insurance requirements and renewal obligations need to be managed for the individual and company as applicable.
Build those tasks into the business’s administration. Keep copies of the current registration details and conditions, and check who will respond to BPC notices if a director leaves or the company changes its activities.
Keep names consistent on project documents
The registered entity, contract, insurance and permit information need to describe the correct builder. A trading name does not resolve a mismatch between an individual and a company.
For example, if you have registered personally but intend to sign the next contract through your company, check the company application before using the company’s name as the registered builder. Your personal certificate alone does not establish company registration.
Use the exact legal name and entity details from the business records. If the structure is uncertain, ask your accountant or legal adviser to confirm it before completing the application.
What changes for a partnership?
Partnerships cannot be registered with BPC. BPC’s guidance requires each partner to complete a partner declaration and national criminal history check. Additional external-administration declarations may be needed in the circumstances described by BPC.
The registered partner’s class and the contracting arrangement still need to authorise the proposed work. Have those details checked rather than treating the partnership’s ABN as registration.
Prepare the business and individual records together
Bring:
- The legal entity that will quote and sign contracts.
- The domestic or commercial work it plans to undertake.
- Current individual registrations, classes and conditions.
- The directors or partners and their required declarations.
- Company or partnership records and relevant insurance information.
- Any individual application or class change still needed.
For a company seeking more than one class, set out which director supports each one. For a partnership, identify the registered partner who will enter the relevant contracts. Check BPC’s live application instructions before collecting criminal checks or uploading forms.
Get the entity right before lodging
Builders Licence Success checks the intended contracting entity, registration class and individual position together, then helps prepare the required application material. The Building and Plumbing Commission, BPC, assesses the application and makes the final decision.
Planning to trade through a company or partnership? Start the next-step check. Tell BLS who will sign contracts and which individual registrations are already in place.