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TrustSignal • Builder Report

How to Verify a Builder in Western Australia

WA has a distinctive system: building contractors can contract with you, while building practitioners are typically the qualified individuals who can act as a nominated supervisor. Many records also include explicit restrictions. For residential work over $20,000, Home Indemnity Insurance (HII) is a separate but critical check.

Run a WA Builder ReportView Official Registers

Before You Search: Contractor vs Practitioner (WA's Key Distinction)

In WA, it's common to see a registration number that could relate to either a contractor or a practitioner. When checking a record, confirm the <strong>licence type</strong> and ensure the contracting party has the right authority.

If you're signing with a business

You&rsquo;re typically looking for a registered <strong>building contractor</strong> (entity that can contract for building services).

  • Confirm the contracting entity (legal name + ABN/ACN).
  • Verify the entity is registered as a contractor (not only a practitioner).
  • Review any published restrictions (e.g., storeys, NCC classes, fit-out only).

Check the nominated supervision signal

A practitioner may be linked as a nominated supervisor for a contractor.

  • Identify the individual responsible for supervision (where disclosed or provided).
  • Confirm the practitioner record is current.
  • Be cautious where supervision details are unclear or constantly changing.
Residential work over $20,000? WA law generally requires the builder to take out Home Indemnity Insurance (HII) in the owner’s name before taking payment or starting work. Always verify HII separately.

Official Public Registers

In WA, builder registration information is available via the Building and Energy licence/search tools and the published Builder Register. Enforcement and disciplinary pathways sit separately.

Online Licence Search (Building and Energy)

Authority: Building and Energy (DEMIRS) • Search for licences and registrations

Use this to confirm name, registration number, licence type, and status.

  • Confirm you are viewing the correct record type (contractor vs practitioner).
  • Check status is current.
  • Record any restriction text for scope matching.
Open Online Licence Search→How to search (WA.gov.au)→

Tip: WA notes that practitioners and contractors may have the same registration number - always verify the licence type.

Find a Registered Builder (WA.gov.au guidance)

Authority: WA Government • Guidance on checking builder registration records

Plain-language guidance on checking the register and confirming you have the correct builder record.

Find a registered builder→

Builder Register (Published PDF)

Authority: Building and Energy • Public register with restrictions and historic sections

The published register is often the clearest source of restriction text and includes sections for current and former registrations. It can be helpful when a record is hard to interpret in the online tool.

Open Builder Register (PDF)→

Many WA entries include &ldquo;Restricted to &hellip;&rdquo; scope statements (e.g., NCC class, storey height, fit-out only).

Home Indemnity Insurance (HII)

Authority: WA Government • Required for residential building work valued over $20,000

HII protects homeowners if a builder cannot complete work due to insolvency, death or disappearance. Verify requirements and evidence before paying deposits.

HII guidance (WA.gov.au)→HII factsheet (PDF)→

Enforcement and Disciplinary

Authorities: Building Commissioner / Building and Energy • Complaints and disciplinary actions

Enforcement information is separate from the registration search. If you have concerns, understand the difference between statutory offence complaints and disciplinary complaints, and where matters may proceed.

Enforcement process→How complaints work→SAT: building & construction→

Company & Directors

Authority: Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) • ABN Lookup

Confirm company registration, directors, and ABN details. Use ABN Lookup for a free quick check; use ASIC Connect for full company extracts (fee may apply). Registration does not, by itself, indicate financial health.

  • Does the ABN/ACN on the quote match the registered entity?
  • Who are the current directors?
  • Are there related entities worth investigating?
  • Are any directors banned or disqualified from managing corporations or other specific activities?
Search ASIC Connect→Search ABN Lookup→Banned & Disqualified→

Insolvency Checks

Authorities: ASIC Insolvency Notices • AFSA for personal insolvency

Search published external administration events for companies. For individuals, check AFSA personal insolvency records.

ASIC insolvency notices→AFSA insolvency→

Why Verification Takes Multiple Checks in WA

  • WA distinguishes between contractors (can contract) and practitioners (supervision/competency) - and registration numbers may overlap.
  • Many registrations include explicit “Restricted to …” scope statements that must be matched to your project.
  • Home Indemnity Insurance (HII) is a separate requirement for residential work over $20,000.
  • Enforcement/disciplinary pathways sit outside the registration register and require separate checks.

Consolidated Verification

The TrustSignal Builder Report consolidates WA contractor/practitioner registration, restriction text, home indemnity insurance guidance cues, and corporate context into a structured summary - helping you confirm: (1) who can legally contract, (2) whether scope restrictions fit your job, and (3) whether HII and corporate flags exist.

WA Builder Reports: Coming Soon

Currently available in NSW. Join the waitlist to be notified when WA launches.

Last reviewed: March 2026• TrustSignal (trustsignal.com.au)