Due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the commencement date of the new mandatory trades registration and licensing scheme has been delayed until the start of 2022.

A Regulatory Impact Statement and draft Regulations are now expected to be released in the first quarter of 2021 for public consultation.

Master Builders Victoria welcomes the postponement as we have advocated for a delay in its introduction in our submission and consultations with the government in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the pressures it is placing on building practitioners.

Members can access our response to the Victorian government’s Options paper for Registration and Licensing of Carpenters here in which we noted our longstanding support for a mandatory trade registration system that is simple, effective and practical to ensure the quality of construction work conducted. However, minimising duplication, administrative burden, and business disruption is key for its success.

While there has been a postponement, we nevertheless encourage members to prepare in advance for it. Under the proposed trades registration and licensing scheme in which carpentry will be the first trade to be considered for it, it means:

• A carpenter will need to be registered if they run their own business and subcontract to builders or clients
• A carpenter will need to be licensed if they are an employee.

This is relevant to everyone that either carries out carpentry work themselves or has carpenter subcontractors or employees.

Different options are being considered, including separate or combined registration/licensing for domestic and commercial works, and registration options that enable subcontracting only, or also working directly for owners.

If you have any questions about the above information, please feel to contact Master Builders Victoria on (03) 9511 4555 or [email protected].