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Register for our NSW Course to receive:

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    PRIORITY course assessment and online course certificate generated instantly
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    OWNER BUILDER INSURANCE with ZERO Brokerage Fees – Let us help you protect yourself
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    Assistance with obtaining up to 50% REFUND of Long Service Leave Levy paid with your DA
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    FREE Building Contracts and Work Health and Safety Documents for your project
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    FREE Legal Assistance for your project
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    See THOUSANDS of Course Reviews below from our Owner Builders Australia wide
  • * Course fee includes $34 fee charged by SafeWork NSW to issue White Card. White Card Course by virtual seminar attracts additional fee and course requirements – click below for more information
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NSW Owner
Builder Course
$236

White Card +
NSW Owner Builder Course
$394*

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NSW Owner Builder Course Online

owner builder course NSW

How do I become a NSW Owner Builder?

In order to obtain an Owner Builder Permit in NSW, you must:

  • be at least 18 years of age
  • own, or have a prescribed interest in, the residential land where the construction work will to be carried out
  • live or intend to live in the completed home

If the market value of the labour and materials of your Owner Builder project will be $20,000 or more, you will also need to complete the NSW Owner Builder Course (see below) unless you are exempt from doing so by NSW Fair Trading.

What is the NSW Owner Builder Course?

The NSW Owner Builder Course (which, prior to 1 July 2015, was known as the accredited course 91509NSW Course in Owner Builder Compliance) is the mandatory course that all individuals must complete prior to being eligible to apply for a NSW Owner Builder Permit (unless an exemption applies).

IMPORTANT:  Only a Registered Training Organisation like us is approved to deliver the NSW Owner Builder Course – beware of unregistered providers offering the Owner Builder Course online.

The Owner Builder Course the five (5) mandatory units of competency as set by NSW Fair Trading which we have grouped into three Modules:

  • Work Health and Safety
  • Drawings, Estimating and Cash Flow
  • Managing the Work

In addition to the Owner Builder Course, you will also need to complete a White Card Course (known as the unit CPCWHS1001 Prepare to work safely in the construction industry), which is a very basic safety course for all individuals who carry out work in the construction industry. Every Owner Builder in NSW must also have a White Card, and you are able to also complete your White Card Course with us – it does not matter in which order you complete the White Card / Owner Builder courses.

If you already hold a White Card that has been issued:

  • less than 2 years ago, you will be able to complete our NSW Owner Builder Course and apply for an Owner Builder Permit using your existing White Card
  • 2 or more years ago, and you have not been working in the construction industry, you will need to complete a current White Card Course in addition to the NSW Owner Builder Course in order to be able to apply for an Owner Builder Permit.

We have helped tens of thousands of individuals become Owner Builders since 2010, and our online course software is designed to ensure that it is the most user friendly on the training market.

Owner talking builder
builder

Applying for an Owner Builder Permit in NSW

After you have finished our Owner Builder Course, you will need to apply to Service NSW for an Owner Builder Permit. In addition to the application form, you will also need to present copies of any certificates we issue you, as well as your White Card.

Permit Application Form – to download the application form to obtain an Owner Builder Permit, CLICK HERE.

Finding a Service NSW Centre – Applying for your Owner Builder Permit is usually done in person at a Service NSW Centre – to find a location near you, CLICK HERE.

Owner Builder Services

Insurance

When you complete our Owner Builder Course, we will provide you with a competitive insurance quote for your particular project through our alliance insurance partner on Construction Works and Public Liability Insurance – the most important insurance you will need as an Owner Builder.

Our insurance quotes are the most competitive on the insurance market, and include wide coverage, twelve months cover, and low excess amounts.

Other resources / services

If you are completing our Owner Builder Course, you will also be entitled to a wide range of other valuable services, including:

  • Free Legal Assistance for your project
  • Free Building Contract templates
  • Free Safety Documents

NSW Owner Builder Permit: Eligibility & Requirements

In New South Wales, you need an Owner Builder Permit from NSW Fair Trading to do or supervise residential building work valued at more than $10,000 (including GST, labour and materials) on your own home, when you are not contracting a licensed builder to supervise the work.

To be eligible, you must:

  • Be at least 18 years of age
  • Own or jointly own the land (or be a shareholder in the company that owns the land, or hold a minimum 3-year lease registered with NSW Land Registry Services)
  • Hold a valid White Card (general construction induction training qualification) issued by SafeWork NSW or an equivalent interstate authority
  • Complete the approved owner-builder education requirements with a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) like Owner Builder Centre (RTO 91528) — required when the work is valued at $20,000 or more
  • Hold an approved Development Application (DA) from your local council, or a Complying Development Certificate (CDC)
  • Not have been issued an owner-builder permit within the previous 5 years (unless the permits relate to the same land, or special circumstances exist)
Owner builder discussing permit eligibility with a licensed builder

The permit applies to a single dwelling-house, a secondary dwelling (such as a granny flat), or a dual occupancy (only in cases of special circumstances). It cannot be issued for renovations to a unit, flat or townhouse within a strata complex, or for commercial premises. After the work is complete, you must intend to live in the home.

Important: Only a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) like Owner Builder Centre is approved to deliver the NSW Owner Builder Course. Beware of unregistered training providers offering the course online.

Source: NSW Government – When an owner-builder permit is needed

Step-by-Step: How to Get Your NSW Owner Builder Permit

1

Get Development Consent (DA or CDC)

Before applying for your permit, you need approved development consent for the project — either a Development Application (DA) approved by your local council, or a Complying Development Certificate (CDC) issued by a council or private certifier. If you already have council approval, you are ready for the next step.

2

Complete the Course & White Card

If your work is valued at $20,000 or more, you must complete the approved owner-builder education requirements with a Registered Training Organisation like Owner Builder Centre (RTO 91528) — 100% online, self-paced, with instant certificate generation. Every applicant must also hold a valid White Card (general construction induction training — CPCWHS1001) issued by SafeWork NSW or an equivalent interstate authority.

3

Apply for the Owner Builder Permit

Submit your application through NSW Fair Trading’s online portal (via Service NSW) and pay the processing fee — check the NSW Fair Trading website for the current fee schedule. You will provide proof of identity, evidence of land ownership, your course certificate, your White Card, and your DA or CDC approval.

4

Get Your Construction Certificate & Start Work

Before any work starts, a Development Application also requires a Construction Certificate (CC) issued by your council or a private certifier — a CDC covers this already. Appoint a Principal Certifier (PC) and notify them at least 7 days before construction commences; the PC carries out the mandatory critical-stage inspections throughout your build.

Source: NSW Government – When an owner-builder permit is needed

What Does the NSW Owner Builder Course Cover?

NSW Owner Builder Course online training

The NSW Owner Builder Course is the mandatory course individuals must complete before applying for a NSW Owner Builder Permit (unless an exemption applies). It covers the five (5) mandatory units of competency as set by NSW Fair Trading, which we have grouped into three modules. The course is delivered entirely online through our advanced learning platform, and you can complete it at your own pace.

The course consists of three main modules:

  • Work Health and Safety — Workplace health and safety for residential building sites — identifying hazards, controlling risks, and understanding your safety obligations as an owner builder.
  • Drawings, Estimating and Cash Flow — Learning to read and interpret building plans and specifications, create accurate cost estimates for your project, and manage cash flow through every stage of the build.
  • Managing the Work — Project management skills including engaging and supervising subcontractors, quality control, critical-stage inspections, and ensuring compliance with the Building Code of Australia and relevant standards.

Our course is designed to be the most user-friendly on the market. We have helped thousands of homeowners become owner builders since 2010, and our IT consultants have designed the online platform to make learning straightforward and efficient.

White Card Requirements for NSW Owner Builders

Every owner-builder permit applicant in NSW must hold a valid White Card (general construction induction training — unit CPCWHS1001), issued by SafeWork NSW or an equivalent interstate authority.

How does the White Card interact with the course requirement?

  • If your work is valued at $10,000 or less, no owner-builder permit is required.
  • If your work is valued between $10,000 and $20,000, you need a permit and a White Card, but the owner-builder course is not required.
  • If your work is valued at $20,000 or more, you need the permit, the White Card, and the approved owner-builder course.

You can complete both courses through Owner Builder Centre. The order does not matter — but both must be completed before you apply for your permit.

White Card construction safety training

Bundle and Save

Enrol in our White Card + NSW Owner Builder Course bundle for $394 — save compared to enrolling separately.

Enrol Now — $394

Why Choose Owner Builder Centre?

Owner Builder Centre (RTO 91528) has been helping NSW homeowners become owner builders since 2010. Here is what sets us apart:

  • Priority course assessment — Every student receives priority assessment, so you are not waiting around for your certificate.
  • Instant online certification — Your course certificate is generated instantly upon successful completion. No delays.
  • Owner Builder Insurance with ZERO Brokerage Fees — We connect you with competitive insurance through our alliance partner, with no broker fees.
  • FREE Building Contracts — We provide building contract templates for your project at no additional cost.
  • FREE Work Health and Safety Documents — Essential WHS documents included with your course.
  • FREE Legal Assistance — Access to legal guidance for your owner builder project.
  • Most user-friendly course platform in Australia — Our IT consultants have designed our online learning system to be the most intuitive on the market.

With thousands of course reviews from owner builders across Australia, we are committed to making your owner builder journey as smooth as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do I need an owner-builder permit in NSW? +

You need an owner-builder permit when the residential building work on your own home is valued at more than $10,000 (including GST, labour and materials), the work requires development consent (a DA or CDC), and you are not contracting a licensed builder to supervise the work.

What if my project is worth between $10,000 and $20,000? +

You still need an owner-builder permit and a valid White Card, but the approved owner-builder course is not required for projects under $20,000.

How long does the NSW Owner Builder Course take to complete? +

Most students complete the online course within 3 to 8 hours, depending on your prior construction knowledge and experience. Because the course is self-paced, you can complete it in a single day or spread it over several sessions — it is entirely up to you.

Can I do the Owner Builder Course online? +

Yes. Owner Builder Centre delivers the NSW Owner Builder Course 100% online through our advanced learning platform. You can complete the course on your computer or tablet, submit assessments online, and receive your certificate instantly upon successful completion.

Do I need a White Card to get a permit? +

Yes. Every NSW owner-builder permit applicant must hold a valid White Card (general construction induction training) issued by SafeWork NSW or an equivalent interstate authority. If you do not already hold one, you can bundle it with your Owner Builder Course.

How much does the NSW Owner Builder Course cost? +

The NSW Owner Builder Course costs $236 (excluding White Card). The White Card + NSW Owner Builder Course bundle costs $394. These prices include all course materials, assessment, and instant certificate generation.

Where do I apply for the permit after completing the course? +

You apply to NSW Fair Trading through its online portal (via Service NSW). You will need proof of identity, evidence of land ownership, your course certificate, your White Card, and your DA or CDC approval. In some circumstances (such as dual occupancy), you may need to lodge your application in person at a Service NSW centre.

What work can’t I do as an owner-builder? +

An owner-builder permit is not a builder’s licence. It only covers the project named in your development approval. Specialist work — electrical, plumbing, gasfitting, and air-conditioning and refrigeration — must be done by appropriately licensed trades (unless you personally hold the relevant licence).