South Australian Building Indemnity Insurance is statutory last-resort protection arranged by the builder for the homeowner. Subject to the policy and legislation, it may respond when applicable domestic building work cannot be completed or covered defects rectified after an insured trigger.

Read the detailed Building Indemnity Insurance overview.

For relevant contracts from 10 November 2025, Building Indemnity Insurance is generally required for applicable domestic building work valued at $20,000 or more that requires development approval. Exemptions and specific circumstances can apply.

For more detail, see who must arrange cover, which projects may require insurance, owner-builder arrangements, and what can happen if required cover is not arranged.

The licensed builder arranges the policy for the homeowner before starting applicable work and provides the certificate to the owner and the relevant approval authority. Webber Insurance assists eligible builders through the applicable scheme process.

See how to obtain a job-specific Building Indemnity certificate.

The South Australian policy may respond when the builder dies, disappears or becomes insolvent and cannot complete the work or rectify covered defects, subject to the legislation, certificate and policy terms.

No. Building Indemnity Insurance does not operate as general defect insurance. A valid claim requires an insured trigger and must satisfy the policy, statutory warranties, time limits and exclusions.

The limit depends on the insurer and policy issue date. QBE policies issued from 1 October 2025 have a maximum limit of $250,000. Assetinsure policies issued from 10 November 2025 and AB Phillips policies issued from 13 October 2025 also have a $250,000 limit. Earlier policies may have lower limits.

See how long Building Indemnity protection remains in place and how QBE policy limits apply.

No. Building Indemnity Insurance protects the homeowner following specified builder failure events. Contract Works insurance covers insured physical loss or damage during construction. One does not replace the other.

Builder eligibility is an insurer’s approval for a licensed builder to obtain job-specific certificates. It may be assessed using the builder’s financial capacity, experience, business structure, work profile and other underwriting information.

See how long a QBE eligibility assessment may take.

Information may include the contract value, site address, owner details, building description, contract and approval information, builder details, construction type and documents requested by the insurer. Requirements can vary by job.

Webber Insurance predominantly assists eligible South Australian builders with Building Indemnity eligibility, ongoing requirements and job-specific certificates through its approved scheme arrangements.

Webber can also assist eligible New South Wales builders with Home Building Compensation Fund (HBCF) matters when the builder nominates Webber Insurance as their Service Provider in the icare HBCF Portal. The NSW process is separate from the South Australian arrangements.

See where Webber can assist. New South Australian builders can also read about eligibility application support.

If you want to apply for a license as a supervisor, instead of a general building contractor, you do not need to apply for Building Indemnity insurance eligibility at the time of application. You cannot be issued Building Indemnity eligibility insurance until you pass the technical interview.

To apply for your supervisor’s licence, you require:

• Completion of an Australian-based trade apprenticeship (i.e. carpentry, bricklaying, tiling) or a Certificate IV in Building Construction (or greater) or a minimum of six years site experience building residential Class 1 projects; AND
• Demonstration of knowledge and experience through satisfactory completion of the Work History & Onsite Experience record, including a minimum of four years’ experience (with a trade apprenticeship), or five years (with a Certificate IV or greater) and five completed projects relevant to the scope of work (Class 1 buildings).

Based on this, it is suggested that you sit the interview and once you have passed, you can apply for the insurance at the time you want to become a general building contractor.

SA Trade Licensing can assist with your eligibility application for a fee of $660 (including GST) – regardless of whether you’re a company or sole trader.

Once your Building Indemnity eligibility has been approved, SA Trade Licensing can assist with the Contractors’ Licence application for $275 (including GST).

QBE will require the following documents to be included with an application, and may request additional documents following their review:

1. Applicant’s Experience/Competency:
   • Resume and qualifications for sole traders, directors and nominated supervisors for new applications and changes in directorship/nominated supervisors.
   • Business Plan (if applicable).
   • Technical references for job profiles above standard limits or for multi-unit developments.
2. Financial Statements:
   • All financials should be prepared under accrual-based accounting.
   • AASB15-compliant financials are required for entities seeking an annual limit over $5M.
   • General purpose financials are required for entities with revenue exceeding $10M or applicants seeking an annual limit over $10M.
   • Audited financials are required for entities with revenue exceeding $50M, where applicable.
3. Business Structure Requirements (select relevant type):
   • Sole Trader or Partnership:
     • Profit and loss statement including trading account for the last 2 financial years (a copy of the full tax returns as submitted to the Australian Tax Office is acceptable).
     • Ensure that Tax File Numbers are removed.
   • Company or Trust Structure:
     • Full and final financial statements for the last 2 financial years, including:
       • Profit and loss statement.
       • Balance sheet.
       • Notes to the accounts.
       • Compilation report.
     • New companies are required to provide a Start Up Balance Sheet.
     • Financial statements must be signed by each director of the company as being true and correct.
     • If financials are older than 9 months, provide interim statements no more than 3 months old (internally prepared accounts are acceptable if signed by directors or an external accountant as true and correct).
     • Aged creditors and aged debtors listings as of the most recent financial statements provided, including commentary and payment plans for accounts over 60 days.
     • Copy of the Trust Deed for applicants operating as a trustee.
   • Group Structure:
     • Copy of group structure, related entity financial statements, and an explanation and repayment plan for related entity loans.
4. Personal Asset Position:
   • Proof of ownership for all assets of sole trader / directors, including:
     • Current rates notice/land title (property)
     • Current bank statement showing account holder name, balance and date.
     • Motor vehicle registration.
     • Current share portfolio statement.

We are required to submit each document to QBE. If a document is missing or unavailable, QBE will require commentary explaining why it was not submitted.

Once all information has been correctly submitted, QBE will generally take 2-3 weeks to review and approve an eligibility certificate. Approval is solely at the discretion of QBE.

Applications made for eligibility to the Builders Warranty Insurance Scheme via SA Trade Licensing will have a non-refundable application fee of $500 + GST*.

Applications made directly to Webber Insurance without the assistance of SA Trade Licensing will incur a $1,500 + GST application fee.

The above fees are non-refundable and eligibility is granted solely at the discretion of QBE.

*This is in addition to SA Trade Licensing’s fees to prepare the application.

For those seeking to apply for their Builder’s Licence and obtain eligibility to the Builders Warranty Insurance Scheme, we recommend you speak to Sam Cottell from SA Trade Licensing.

Sam is a previous Licensing Manager for Consumer Affairs and has over 12 years of experience supporting builders with licensing and technical interview preparation.

We are still able to assist with processing applications directly, however, there will be an additional administration cost applicable.

To apply, complete the Building Indemnity Eligibility Application.

Allow at least 21 days for a response after submission of the application to QBE. Eligibility is granted solely at QBE’s discretion.

We understand that sometimes, Eligibility Certificates are received, and no work is undertaken. It may seem excessive to pay an invoice when no work has been added. In these instances, when payment is not received, Webber Insurance will resign as your broker. This means that you will need to appoint another broker to handle this insurance for you.

Our resignation will not affect your current eligibility status.

If you have not provided your Building Licence No, the facility will be ‘inactive’ in QBE’s system, and they may choose to request a new application from the builder if they decide to use the facility in the future.

Once your payment for the renewal invoice has been receipted, you should receive your updated eligibility certificate within 7 days..

An eligibility certificate renewal without a required review will cost $400 + GST. If a builder has Contract Works insurance with Webber Insurance, we will waive this annual cost.

If a full review is requested, the fees will be as per the ‘Eligibility Review Cost’ information above.

If QBE does not require your eligibility to be reviewed, approximately 45 days before the annual expiry date of your eligibility certificate, you will receive your renewal invoice. Once this invoice has been paid, you will receive your updated eligibility certificate.

If QBE requires your eligibility to be reviewed, we will send through the Eligibility Review Application along with our invoice for the renewal/review. Once the invoice has been paid, and the application has been received, this will be sent to QBE for their review. This process will likely take 21 days to be completed.

An eligibility review will incur a cost of between $500 – $1,000 + GST** (see schedule of rates). This invoice needs to be paid prior to us submitting your application to QBE and is non-refundable. Any changes to eligibility are approved solely at QBE’s discretion.

Generally, QBE will require a builder to be operating for at least 12 months before a review can be conducted, along with the availability of 12 months of audited financials.

Any request to increase/change limits will require completion of the Eligibility Review Application form. The information requested is much the same as the initial application with updated financial information and a Work-in-Progress status report. Additionally, a work pipeline can be provided to support any request for increased limits.

A review will generally take up to 21 days from submission to be completed.

In South Australia, if you need to make a claim under your Building Indemnity Insurance policy with QBE, follow these steps:

1. Gather Necessary Documentation:
   • Certificate of Insurance: Ensure you have a copy of your Building Indemnity Insurance certificate.
   • Building Contract: Obtain the contract detailing the work agreed upon with the builder.
   • Proof of Payments: Collect receipts, invoices, or bank statements showing payments made to the builder.
   • Termination Evidence: If applicable, provide documentation indicating the termination of the building contract.
2. Complete the Claim Form:
   • Download and fill out the QBE Builders Warranty Insurance claim form.
3. Submit the Claim:
   • Email: Send the completed claim form and supporting documents to [email protected].
   • Post: Mail the documents to QBE Insurance, GPO Box 4323, Melbourne VIC 3000.
4. Contact QBE:
   For assistance or to discuss your claim, call QBE at 1300 790 723.

Ensure all information provided is accurate and complete to facilitate a smooth claims process.

To cancel a project certificate, a Certificate Cancellation Form signed by all parties to the Contract must be submitted. Please note that this form generally needs to be submitted prior to the commencement of the project.

If the project has already commenced, please use the Certificate Variation form.

Download QBE Certificate Cancellation Form.

A variation form signed by all parties to the Contract needs to be submitted to QBE for changes to be made. A broker fee of between $200 – $400 + GST will be charged for each variation made.

Download QBE Variation Form.

Building Indemnity insurance is required in South Australia for any domestic work (structural) that must be approved by council and costs $20,000 or more. For more information, please refer to Building Work Contractors Act 1995.

QBE defines Domestic Building Work as:

a. the whole or part of the work of constructing, erecting, underpinning, altering, repairing, improving, adding to or demolishing a house; or

b. the whole or part of the work of excavating or filling a site for work referred to above; or

c. the construction, alteration, repair or improvement of a swimming pool or spa within the external walls of a house or within the curtilage of a house; or

d. any other work carried out within the curtilage of a house or the boundary of the curtilage of a house.

The premium rates for each project can be reviewed using the link below. Please note that your category class will be listed on your eligibility certificate.

A broker fee of between $250 – $500 + GST will be added to each certificate issued.

View QBE Current Rates.

To add a project, the Job Specific or Multi-Unit application form needs to be completed. Also, a copy of the signed contract needs to be submitted.

It is important to note that the information in the application must match the contract form EXACTLY and be in line with your eligibility legal details. We are unable to submit to QBE if these details do not exactly match.

• Download QBE Job Specific Application
• Download Multi-Unit Application