What Qualifications Do You Need To Build A Retaining Wall

At Supreme Sandstone, we’re based in NSW Australia. In Australia each rules and regulations vary from state to state so we do recommend you do your own research if you aren’t based in NSW (Check out the fair trading website for clarification -linked below).

In NSW to build a retaining wall an individual and/or company is required to hold formal qualifications to complete structural landscaping projects (retaining walls).
Accompanied by the formal qualifications, in NSW you are required to have a NSW contractors license for works that exceed $5,000 including GST.

A contractor licence allows you to contract and advertise to do work. You can only do the types of work described on your licence card. Contractor licences can be issued to individuals and to companies and partnerships. 

Qualifications needed to construct a retaining wall:

To get a licence or certificate to do structural landscaping, you must complete one of the qualifications listed below.

• AHC30916/ AHC30910 Certificate III in Landscape Construction
  or

• RTF30403 Certificate III in Horticulture (Landscape)
  or

• RUH30498 Certificate III in Horticulture (Landscape) TAFE course #0672
  or

• Certificate III in Landscaping TAFE course #1581.

Other requirements:
If you are a licensed builder or tradesperson in NSW, you need to get home building compensation (HBC) cover for each home building project over $20,000 including GST.

HBC cover, which used to be called ‘home warranty insurance’, protects homeowners as a last resort if you cannot complete building work or fix defects.

What are the penalties for those operating without a formal qualification or contractors license?

The maximum penalty for an offence by an individual is $22,000 (200 penalty units) and the maximum penalty for a corporation is now $110,000 (1,000 penalty units).

Offences include, but are not limited to:

• unlicensed contracting

• doing work or taking deposits without Building Compensation Fund Insurance

• not using the correct form of a contract (including the provision of a copy of the Consumer building guide and checklist)

• taking excessive deposits

• the carrying out of work by unqualified persons

• knowingly engaging an unlicensed contractor

• lending a licence

• not disclosing to a building inspector the names and addresses of persons on the site

• failing to obtain Building Compensation Fund (where required).

A breach of the Act can be dealt with either before a local court or the Supreme Court. The Local Court can impose fines of up to $22,000.

Thanks for reading this weeks blog! Head on over to our Instagram (Supreme_Sandstone) to stay up-to date with recent projects and educational posts!  

REFERENCE LINKS
https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/check-builder-or-tradesperson-licence

Ref www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/trades-and businesses/licensing-and-qualifications/structural-landscaping

https://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/trades-and-businesses/construction-and-trade-essentials/licence-holder-overview