Builders must be licensed to carry out most types of domestic building work and face significant penalties if they carry out work for which they do not have an appropriate licence [Building Work Contractors Act 1995 (SA) Part 2]. There are also significant penalties for builders who contract with persons who are not appropriately licensed to perform the work, or who hold themselves out as licensed or registered if they are not [Part 7].

To be licensed, a builder must meet certain criteria, including:

The public can search an online register to ensure that a builder has a current licence. The register may be accessed online through the Consumer and Business Services Public Register.

Domestic building work has a broad definition, including construction or renovation of, and repairs to, a house. It also includes certain types of work prescribed by regulation, such as the installation of, or repairs or improvements to, a swimming pool or insulation, paving and fencing. From 10 November 2025, domestic building work with a value of less than $20,000 is defined as minor domestic building work and is not subject to the same level of regulation as contracts with a value of $20,000 or more.