Owner Builder Course FAQs
How the course works
Which owner builder course is right for my state?
Choose the course for the state where your property is, because each state has its own permit rules.
ABE Education has separate courses for Queensland, Western Australia, Tasmania, the ACT and New South Wales. A course for one state won't meet another state's requirements.
ABE Education has separate courses for Queensland, Western Australia, Tasmania, the ACT and New South Wales. A course for one state won't meet another state's requirements.
How long does the course take?
Most students finish in a few hours.
The course is self-paced, so you can stop and come back to it whenever suits you, and there's no deadline to finish.
The course is self-paced, so you can stop and come back to it whenever suits you, and there's no deadline to finish.
Is the course 100% online and self-paced?
Yes.
The course is 100% online and self-paced.
There are no classes to attend, and you can study on a computer, tablet or phone.
The course is 100% online and self-paced.
There are no classes to attend, and you can study on a computer, tablet or phone.
Can I enrol and pay online?
Yes.
Go to your state's course page, select Enrol and pay online, then log in to start the course.
Not sure which course you need? See all owner builder courses.
Go to your state's course page, select Enrol and pay online, then log in to start the course.
Not sure which course you need? See all owner builder courses.
How many assessment attempts do I get, and is there a time limit?
You get 3 attempts at the assessment and there's no time limit.
Take as long as you need to read each question and check your answers.
Take as long as you need to read each question and check your answers.
How much does the course cost, and are there extra fees?
The course fee is A$179.
Your state's permit, approval or licence fee is separate and is paid to the government, not to ABE.
Each state section below links to the regulator's page.
Your state's permit, approval or licence fee is separate and is paid to the government, not to ABE.
Each state section below links to the regulator's page.
When and how do I get my certificate?
Your Certificate of Completion is emailed to you as a PDF as soon as you finish the course.
Keep a copy, because you'll attach it to your permit or licence application.
The NSW course is a nationally recognised course delivered by our RTO partner, which issues your NSW certificate.
Keep a copy, because you'll attach it to your permit or licence application.
The NSW course is a nationally recognised course delivered by our RTO partner, which issues your NSW certificate.
What if I lose my certificate?
Email info@abeeducation.edu.au or call (02) 9798 5000 and we'll email you a replacement, usually within 24 to 36 hours.
A fee applies to certificates more than 12 months old.
A fee applies to certificates more than 12 months old.
Do I need the course before I apply for my permit?
In most cases, yes.
Every state ABE serves asks owner builders to complete an approved or state-specific course before applying, though the rules on when it applies and how recent it must be differ.
Check your state's section below.
Every state ABE serves asks owner builders to complete an approved or state-specific course before applying, though the rules on when it applies and how recent it must be differ.
Check your state's section below.
What's the building value threshold in my state?
It depends on the state.
In Queensland a permit is needed for work over $11,000 including GST.
In Western Australia, approval may be needed for work over $20,000.
In New South Wales a permit is needed over $10,000 and the course from $20,000.
Tasmania and the ACT set the rules by type of work rather than a dollar amount.
Details are in each state's section below.
In Queensland a permit is needed for work over $11,000 including GST.
In Western Australia, approval may be needed for work over $20,000.
In New South Wales a permit is needed over $10,000 and the course from $20,000.
Tasmania and the ACT set the rules by type of work rather than a dollar amount.
Details are in each state's section below.
Who issues the owner builder permit in my state?
Queensland: the QBCC.
Western Australia: the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety (LGIRS).
Tasmania: Consumer Affairs Tasmania.
ACT: an owner builder licence through Access Canberra.
New South Wales: Building Commission NSW, with applications lodged through Service NSW.
Western Australia: the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety (LGIRS).
Tasmania: Consumer Affairs Tasmania.
ACT: an owner builder licence through Access Canberra.
New South Wales: Building Commission NSW, with applications lodged through Service NSW.
Is buying online secure?
Yes.
Payments are processed through a secure payment gateway over an encrypted (SSL) connection, and your card details are not stored on ABE's servers.
Payments are processed through a secure payment gateway over an encrypted (SSL) connection, and your card details are not stored on ABE's servers.
Can I get help by phone or email?
Queensland owner builder FAQs
What are the owner builder rules in Queensland?
Western Australia owner builder
When do I need owner-builder approval in Western Australia?
What training do I need in Western Australia?
Queensland owner builder FAQs
What are the owner builder rules in Queensland?
Queensland owner builder FAQs
What are the owner builder rules in Queensland?
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