SA CBS Contractor Licensing & Deposit Protections

Statutory requirements under the Building Work Contractors Act 1995 (SA). Review the $12,000 contractor threshold, Building Indemnity Insurance (BII), and the $1,000 deposit ceiling.

$12,000 Contractor Licence Threshold

Building Work Contractors Act 1995

Any building contractor performing domestic building work costing more than $12,000 must hold an active licence issued by Consumer and Business Services (CBS).

Verify Contractor on CBS Register

Building Indemnity Insurance (BII)

Domestic Work Over $12,000

Required for domestic projects exceeding $12,000 that require council development approval. Underwritten via QBE to protect consumers up to $150,000 in case of contractor insolvency, disappearance, or death.

Verify SA BII Requirements

South Australian Statutory Deposit Limits

Under Section 30 of the Building Work Contractors Act 1995, a contractor must not demand or take a deposit that exceeds:

$1,000 or 5% of the total contract price (whichever is lesser) before site work begins.

Cooling-off statutory right: Homeowners have 5 clear business days after signing a domestic building contract to terminate without penalty.