Frequently asked questions

1. How can I confirm that Live and Learn Pty Ltd is a registered training organisation?

All registered training organisations are listed on the www.training.gov.au website.  Choose the “RTO/Organisation” search engine option on this website, type “Live and Learn”, and our details will appear.

2. If I need assistance during construction as an owner builder, can I contact someone from Live and Learn?

We are not only here to assist you in completing the owner builder course, we are also happy to help out with any questions you may have during the owner builder construction process.  Simply contact Leo on 0407 466 220 for assistance. 

3. When do I need an owner builder permit in NSW?

In NSW, if you intend on supervising or doing residential building work to the value of $10,000 or more on your own home, and you are not engaging a licensed builder to do this work, then you will need to obtain an owner builder permit.

If the work is valued at $20,000 or more, then you will need to complete the NSW Owner Builder Course.

4. Why do people become an owner builder rather than engage a licensed builder?

People often become owner builders to save on construction costs (such as a builder’s margin), to minimise variation costs, and to have greater control over the construction process.

5. Why is the cost of the NSW owner builder course with Live and Learn cheaper than other training providers?

We are doing our bit to keep your construction costs low.  We can assure you that we have not compromised our course in any way and that we offer a top quality training experience. 

6. Why should I choose Live and Learn as opposed to other training providers?

Apart from an extremely competitive price, we can also assist you with competitive insurance premiums for your owner builder work.  In addition, our assessment is set up in a user friendly manner – the assessment document is provided to you in a “Microsoft Office Word” format and you can stop and start the assessment as you please as long as you save your work before closing the document.  If you don’t like computers, then simply print the assessment document and hand write your answers in the space provided and then scan and email or post your work back to us.

7. What is the process to become an owner builder?

You need to complete the construction safety course (commonly known as the “Whitecard Course”); then you need to complete the NSW Owner Builder Course; then you need to download the NSW Owner Builder permit application form off the NSW Fair Trading website; then you need to go to a Service NSW Centre to lodge your application.

8. What is the cost of an owner builder permit from Service NSW?

The cost of an owner builder permit from NSW Fair Trading is $273 (owner builder fee of $198 plus an administration fee of $76).

9. How can I find the nearest Service NSW Centre located near me?

Go to https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/service-centre and you can search by suburb, postcode or current location.

10. How often can I apply for a NSW Owner Builder Permit?

You can apply for an owner builder permit every five years.  However, if a second owner builder permit application is lodged in relation to the same property, and less than five years has lapsed since the issue of the first permit, usually NSW Fair Trading will approve the second permit.

11. How long does Service NSW take to process the owner builder permit application?

Service NSW processes owner builder permits on the spot and usually takes around ten minutes to process.

12. Can I obtain an owner builder permit for an investment property that I own?

You can only obtain an owner builder permit for a property that you intend on living in. 

13. What is the law that regulates residential building work in NSW?

The Home Building Act 1989 (NSW) is the legislation that regulates residential building in NSW.  Please take time to familiarise yourself about the various consumer protection measures in this legislation by visiting the NSW Fair Trading website (https://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/ )

14. Where can I find information on preparing my trade contracts?

The NSW Fair Trading website (https://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/ ) has free contacts that you can download to assist you with preparing your trade contracts.’

We recommend you utilise these contracts and list all work that needs to be undertaken by the trade contractor (room by room).

You should also include hourly rates of the tradesperson you are contracting with as they are useful in calculating the cost of variations to building work.

15. What is the building and construction industry long service levy and are owner builders entitled to a discount on the levy?

The long service levy is applied to all NSW building and construction projects of $250,000 or more (inc. GST). The current rate is 0.25% of the total cost of the work.

Owner builders may be eligible for a reduction of up to 50% of the cost of the levy – The reduction is calculated on the value of any voluntary labour that the owner builder does on the job.

For more information (and for the form to make an application for a reduction in the levy) see https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/ .

16. What is the best way to prepare my trade contracts?

Electrical contract:

• Go through and list all electrical work in each room of the house: for example, bedroom one work might include four ceiling mounted halogen lights to be switched from bedroom entrance door and also from near bedside table in a spot to be marked by the owner builder; two general purpose outlets in positions marked on architectural plan …
• Include an hourly rate for electrician and apprentice so if there are any variations you can provide the materials and you can use a timer to time how long it takes to do the variation work.  This greatly reduces the chances of having a dispute.
• Don’t forget to check whet the electrician is including and what the electrician is not including.

Plumbing contract:

• Go through and list all plumbing work in each room of the house
• Include an hourly rate for plumber and apprentice so if there are any variations you can provide the materials and you can use a timer to time how long it takes to do the variation work.  This greatly reduces the chances of having a dispute.
• Don’t forget to check whet the plumber is including and what the plumber is not including.

Concreter

• Usually concreters charge hourly rates
• Check the hourly rate, how many concreters will be needed for the concrete pour and whether the concreter charges minimum whole day or minim half day rates

17. Where can I go to find useful passive design and energy and water saving ideas for my project?

The www.yourhome.gov.au website has useful information on passive design (insulation, glazing, shading), reducing electricity usage, and reducing water usage.  The website also provides useful instructions on installation – for example, the “insulation” section of the website provides instructions on how to install insulation properly.

The www.energyrating.gov.au website provides useful information on how to reduce energy use, how to reduce emissions, and how to save money.

The www.waterrating.gov.au website provides useful information on how to reduce water use and how to save money.

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