Victoria’s three categories of builders are domestic builders, commercial builders and demolishers, as listed by Consumer Affairs Victoria. Each group has its own registration classes. In the law, those classes belong to one category called builder (Schedule 9 of the Building Regulations 2018, Version 032).
You might have heard “three categories” used for two other lists:
- Unlimited, limited and manager. These are older domestic builder labels. Unlimited (DB-U) and limited (DB-L) are still current. Manager (DB-M) is no longer open to new applicants.
- Class 1, Class 2 and so on. These are National Construction Code building classes. They describe the building, not your registration.
The Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC) registers builders in Victoria and publishes the current class descriptions.
The three groups at a glance
- Domestic builder: DB-U, or a named DB-L class such as carpentry or waterproofing. Check the class covers everything in your contract, and any conditions.
- Commercial builder: commercial unlimited, or one of ten limited classes such as fit-out. Check the building type, the structural work and the class limits.
- Demolisher: low rise, medium rise or unlimited. Check the building height, special buildings and the demolition permit.
Before committing to a class or paying an application fee, Check your next step.
Which class fits your next job?
Start with a real job you want to quote, not your trade title. The same tradie can need a different class depending on what the contract includes. These examples are for illustration only. BPC decides the class.
I want to quote the framing package
Write down exactly what’s in the quote. Just the wall frames and roof trusses, or other parts of the job too? Framing, carpentry and external wall cladding are each separate DB-L classes in Schedule 9, so match the quote to the right one using BPC’s domestic builder classes. When you apply, pick past jobs that show your own framing work clearly, not buried among unrelated jobs.
I’ve been running home builds and want to contract the whole job
That’s DB-U territory. List what you’ve managed beyond your own trade: coordinating other trades, working to plans, and making the calls across a build. Under Schedule 9, clause 31, DB-U needs a Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) or one of two named construction management degrees, plus at least 3 years of practical experience. You need both: years on site alone, or the diploma alone, won’t get you there. See what your Victorian registration experience needs to show.
I fit out shops and want my own contracts
Split the job into structural and non-structural work, then compare it with BPC’s commercial fit-out classes. Don’t assume a domestic carpentry registration covers commercial fit-out.
Domestic: DB-U or DB-L?
DB-U (Domestic Builder Unlimited) lets you take on domestic building work broadly. DB-L (Domestic Builder Limited) covers one named type of work, such as carpentry, framing or waterproofing. Both are described on BPC’s domestic builder page.
DB-L isn’t a general trade licence. It covers the named work only. And “unlimited” can still come with conditions that narrow it, so read yours.
For the full comparison, see DB-U or DB-L: which fits your work?. Staying in your trade? Read when to look at a DB-L class.
Commercial: which class covers fit-out?
BPC lists eleven commercial classes: one unlimited and ten limited. The limited classes include low rise, medium rise, structural fit-out, non-structural fit-out and specialist work.
Apartments and mixed-use buildings need extra care. Class 2 buildings appear in both the domestic and commercial descriptions, so “residential” or “commercial” on the plans won’t settle it. Check the actual work against the class.
Demolisher: low rise, medium rise or unlimited
BPC’s demolisher page sets out three classes:
- Low rise: buildings up to two storeys, not special buildings.
- Medium rise: buildings up to five storeys, not special buildings.
- Unlimited: the full scope, including special buildings.
Height is only one check. The demolition permit is a separate requirement.
What happened to DB-M (Domestic Builder Manager)?
DB-M is no longer listed as a class for new applicants in Schedule 9.
Some people who were registered as DB-M immediately before 1 July 2017 kept their registration under a transition rule, regulation 284. Whether it applies depends on the building permits they were named on as the builder, and the regulation sets out which permits count. For those who qualify, registration runs until the latest of three dates:
- 30 June 2022.
- The day an occupancy permit or certificate of final inspection is issued for the last building permit covered by regulation 284.
- The day that last building permit expires.
So not every DB-M registration ended in June 2022, and none of them turned into a different class automatically. If you hold one, check your record and permits against regulation 284 before relying on it.
Want a management-only role now? Look at project manager (domestic). It’s a separate category for managing domestic building work done by registered builders. Or ask BPC about DB-U with a management condition (regulation 5).
Do you need registration for domestic jobs under $10,000?
Not always, but a small quote isn’t an automatic pass. Consumer Affairs Victoria sets the usual domestic threshold at work costing more than $10,000. But reblocking, restumping, demolition and removing a home need registration at any price.
There are exceptions for contracts covering one specified activity only. A painting-only job and a plastering-and-painting job aren’t treated the same, so read the full list against your whole contract. More detail: when you need builder registration in Victoria.
Before you lodge
Pick your likely class first, then gather documents. Have this ready:
- One job you want to quote, and everything in that quote.
- Who will sign the contract, and what you’ll do yourself. Trading through a company? Read company or individual registration.
- The class description and any conditions.
- Past projects that show your role, and who can confirm it.
- Your qualifications, and any gaps.
BPC uses online technical referee reports, and it must receive them before you submit. Check which referee suits your class, because DB-L classes don’t all use the same one.
If you’re also preparing for BPC’s DB-U assessment, BRIQ, our sister study app for Victorian builders, has DB-U assessment preparation.
Builders Licence Success (BLS) provides domestic and commercial builder registration application support. We walk you through the class, your projects and any gaps, so they’re sorted before you lodge. BPC assesses every application and makes the decision.
Sources
Checked 9 November 2026 against the official sources linked throughout. Building Regulations 2018, Version 032 took effect on 27 October 2026. The official Word version contains the wording of regulation 284 and Schedule 9.
For the wider application, check Victorian registration classes and applications before choosing a class or paying a fee.
Rather talk it through? Call us on 0468 008 598.
Frequently asked questions
What are the three categories of builders in Victoria?
Domestic builders, commercial builders and demolishers, as listed by Consumer Affairs Victoria. In the law, their classes all belong to one category called builder (Schedule 9).
Are unlimited, limited and manager the three categories?
No. They're domestic builder labels. DB-U and DB-L are current classes. DB-M is closed to new applicants, and existing holders fall under the regulation 284 transition.
What's the difference between DB-U and DB-L?
DB-U covers domestic building work broadly, subject to any conditions. DB-L covers one named type of work. Compare them on BPC's domestic builder page.
Is Class 1 or Class 2 a registration class?
No. NCC building classes describe the building. Your registration class describes the work you can do.
Is every domestic job under $10,000 exempt?
No. Consumer Affairs Victoria lists work that needs registration at any price, such as restumping and demolition.
Who decides my registration?
BPC. BLS provides application support. For the wider picture, see our Victorian registration guide.