If you're working towards getting your builder licence in Australia, chances are you've heard about site supervision experience. Whether you're in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, or anywhere else in the country, site supervision plays a big role in proving you're ready to step up and run jobs as a licensed builder.

In this post, we'll break down what site supervision experience actually is, how long you generally need it for, and how it fits into builder licence requirements across different states.

What is Site Supervision Experience?

Site supervision experience is when you're responsible for overseeing building projects onsite basically acting as the boss without officially being licensed yet. It’s about more than just swinging tools, it’s about managing jobs, making sure everything is running smoothly, and that the work is up to standard.

Typical site supervisor tasks include:

• Organising trades and subcontractors
• Ordering materials
• Reading and following building plans
• Managing site safety and compliance
• Checking quality of work
• Communicating with clients and builders

Even if you're still working under a builder or tradesperson, you can rack up site supervision experience if you're trusted to take charge on-site.

Why Does Site Supervision Experience Matter?

Having site supervision experience shows licensing bodies that you're capable of running jobs and managing the responsibilities that come with being a builder. It's not enough to just know how to build. You need to prove you can oversee jobs from start to finish.

It’s one of the biggest things they'll look at when deciding if you're ready to hold a builder licence.

How Much Site Supervision Experience Do You Need?

The amount of site supervision experience you need depends on where you're applying:

• NSW (Fair Trading NSW): At least two years of relevant experience is required, which can include a mix of trade work and site supervision.
• QLD (QBCC): You’ll need two years of full-time site supervision experience or a combination of trade and site supervision work.
• VIC (VBA): The VBA typically looks for at least three years of site supervision or management experience as part of the broader five years of building experience they require.

If you're not sure if your experience counts, a good rule of thumb is, if you're making decisions, solving problems, and organising the job, there's a good chance you're gaining site supervision experience and should be keeping a track record of it.

How to Prove Your Site Supervision Experience

When it comes time to apply for your builder licence, you'll need to back up your experience with solid proof. Here's what you'll need:

• Detailed work references from licensed builders or employers
• Payslips or invoices showing your role on-site
• Project details like addresses, dates, and your responsibilities
• Statutory declarations if required

The earlier you start documenting your experience, the easier it will be when you're ready to apply.

What if You Don't Have Site Supervision Experience Yet?

If you're still working as a tradie or apprentice, the best thing you can do is start asking for more responsibility on-site. Let your employer know you're keen to take on supervisor duties, even small tasks like organising trades or checking work can count towards your experience.

Another way to strengthen your application is by working across multiple trades — something that some states (like NSW) allow as part of your experience requirements.

Final Thoughts

Site supervision experience is one of the biggest stepping stones to getting your builder licence. Whether you're years away from applying or nearly ready to lodge your application, keeping track of your site supervision work now will save you headaches down the track.

If you're not sure how your experience stacks up or what paperwork you'll need, Licensing Advice can guide you through the whole process from understanding your eligibility to submitting your application.

Book a free consultation today and let’s get your builder licence journey started.