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Applying to Become an Owner Builder in WA? Get Your Documents Ready First
If you're preparing an owner builder application in WA, getting your supporting documents together before you apply can make the process much easier.
Owner-builder approval is a separate step that comes before your building permit application. The WA Government currently advises that owner-builder approval applications generally take around six to eight weeks from lodgement, so missing information can be an unwelcome setback when you're keen to get your project moving.
This guide walks through the main documents and evidence you should have ready before applying.
Already ready to complete your application? Read our guide: Form 75 WA Owner Builder: How to Complete Your Application Without Delays
1. Current Certificate of Title or Other Evidence of Your Interest in the Land
One of the first things you'll need is evidence showing your interest in the property.
If you're the registered owner, the WA Government requires a Certificate of Title issued by Landgate within the previous three months. The date of issue appears on the Record of Certificate of Title.
Need a Current WA Certificate of Title?
You can order a current WA property title online through Title Now.
If you haven't yet become the registered proprietor, other evidence may be accepted depending on your circumstances. For example, a contract to purchase the freehold property can be used, provided it names the registered proprietor as the seller and you as the purchaser, and is dated within the last three months.
Specific requirements also apply if you hold the land under a lease. The lease must identify the land, the lessor and the lessee, the lease term, exclusive possession of the land and the right to carry out building work without the consent of each registered proprietor. It must also include rent details and be signed and dated by both parties, and you'll need a Certificate of Title for the lessor issued within the last three months. A standard residential tenancy agreement won't be accepted.
Tip: Don't order your Certificate of Title too early. If it is more than three months old when you apply, you'll need a newer record.
2. Evidence of Your WA Owner Builder Training
To receive owner-builder approval, you need to demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the duties and responsibilities you will be taking on.
One pathway is completing owner-builder training containing Western Australian-specific content within the previous 24 months. Evidence of that training forms part of your application.
If you're using the training pathway and haven't completed your course yet, you can complete the WA Owner Builder Course online with Owner Builder Institute.
Still need your training?
Complete the Owner Builder Institute WA Owner Builder Course online.
There are also alternative pathways for certain people who hold, or previously held, relevant professional or building-industry registrations.
3. Your White Card or Accepted Construction Induction Evidence
If you're relying on the owner-builder course pathway, you'll also need evidence that you have completed general construction induction training — commonly known as a White Card.
The current Form 75 identifies a White Card, Blue Card or other evidence of completing the relevant construction induction unit as part of the knowledge requirements for the training pathway.
Don't confuse these two requirements:
Owner-builder training teaches you about your responsibilities as an owner builder.
Construction induction training is the general safety training associated with working in the construction industry.
They're different pieces of evidence.
4. Details of Every Property Owner
If more than one person owns the property, don't prepare the application for just one owner.
Everyone listed on the relevant Certificate of Title, purchase contract or qualifying lease must sign Form 75, and the form asks for contact details for each owner.
All of those owners then share responsibility for supervising and managing the building work, although only one person needs to demonstrate the required owner-builder knowledge.
This is an easy detail to miss, particularly with jointly owned properties.
5. Details About Your Proposed Building Work
You don't need to attach full building plans to Form 75, but you do need to provide details about the building work you intend to undertake.
Have the basic project information ready before you begin: the site address, the class of building work you're applying for and a clear description of the project.
Owner-builder work in WA can include eligible work such as constructing a detached dwelling, additions or alterations to an existing free-standing dwelling, certain non-habitable buildings such as garages, carports and sheds, and some small commercial buildings.
Whether owner-builder approval is required depends on the type of work, whether a building permit is required and the value of the project. The current WA guidance generally refers to a $20,000 threshold, increasing to $50,000 for Class 10a buildings such as sheds, carports and private garages.
Keep in mind that this is about the owner-builder approval application. Your later building permit application can involve additional plans and documentation.
6. Check Whether the Six-Year Rule Applies to You
Before applying, think back to any previous WA project where you were granted a building permit as an owner builder.
Generally, you cannot make another owner-builder approval application if you've been granted a building permit as an owner builder within the preceding six years, unless the restriction is waived.
Importantly, the six-year period runs from the date the building permit was granted, not simply from the date you completed an owner-builder course or received an approval that was never used for a permit.
The WA Government identifies circumstances where a waiver may be available, including hardship or where the new building permit relates to the same land.
If you're seeking a waiver, complete the waiver section of Form 75. You'll need the number of your previous owner-builder approval, the date the building permit was issued and a copy of that building permit. If you're relying on hardship, you'll also need a statement explaining your change in circumstances.
7. Make Sure You Meet the Occupancy or Use Requirement
WA owner-builder approval isn't intended as a pathway for someone developing a property for immediate resale.
For work relating to a detached house, you must intend to live on the property when the work is completed.
For eligible Class 10 or small commercial buildings, you must intend to personally occupy or use the land once the work is complete.
It's worth confirming this before spending time preparing the rest of your application.
Your WA Owner Builder Application Checklist
Before applying, check that you have:
☐ Current Certificate of Title or other acceptable evidence of your interest in the land, dated within the last three months
☐ Evidence of WA-relevant owner-builder training completed within the previous 24 months, if using the training pathway
☐ White Card or accepted construction induction evidence
☐ Personal and contact details for every owner
☐ Site address, building class and a description of the proposed work
☐ Confirmation that you intend to live on, occupy or use the property as required
☐ Six-year waiver details and a copy of your previous building permit, if the restriction applies
☐ Signature and date from every owner on the declaration
☐ Application fee
Once you've gathered everything, you can complete Form 75 – Owner-builder approval application.
The WA Government says online submission is the fastest and simplest way to apply.
Lodge a complete application. Form 75 states that an application can't be assessed unless all sections are completed and all attachments are provided, and that if required information isn't provided, your application will lapse and the fee will be forfeited. The department also doesn't return documents, so keep a copy of everything you lodge.
What Happens After You Apply?
Submitting your owner-builder application doesn't give you permission to start construction.
The WA Government currently advises allowing approximately six to eight weeks for an owner-builder approval application to be processed. They may contact you if additional information is required.
Once approval is granted, you generally have six months to apply to your local government for the relevant building permit.
That's the next stage of the process — and we have a separate guide explaining the WA Building Permit Steps After Owner Builder Approval.
Ready to Start Your WA Owner Builder Journey?
Getting organised early can make the owner-builder approval process much easier.
If you still need to complete the required training, Owner Builder Institute's WA Owner Builder Course is available online and designed specifically for people preparing to owner build in Western Australia.
For the official eligibility requirements and current application process, applicants should also check the WA Government Owner-Builder Approval page before lodging their application.
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