Paver
🇦🇺 Introduction
Paver licensing refers to the authorisation required for individuals or businesses to legally perform, supervise, or contract paving work in Australia.
Paving work generally involves the installation, repair, or maintenance of surfaces made from materials like concrete, brick, stone, asphalt, or similar, used for driveways, paths, patios, and outdoor areas.
Licensed pavers are typically qualified to:
• Prepare and level ground or sub-base for paving
• Lay brick, stone, concrete, or bitumen pavers
• Construct paths, patios, courtyards, and driveways
• Install edge restraints, drainage, and expansion joints
• Maintain or repair existing paved areas
Some licences may also allow for:
• Small-scale retaining walls
• Kerbs and garden edging
• Decorative or patterned paving (e.g., segmental or interlocking systems)
🇦🇺 Types
Paving work typically involves installing concrete, brick, or stone pavements such as driveways, paths, and outdoor areas.
While there is no single national “Paver Licence,” each state or territory regulates paving under broader building or landscaping licence categories.
1. New South Wales (NSW)
Regulator: NSW Fair Trading
Licence Type:
• Structural Landscaping Licence – allows for paving, retaining walls, and landscape structures.
• Concreting Licence – covers concrete driveways, slabs, and paths.
Scope of Work:
• Prepare ground, lay pavers, and construct paved areas or driveways.
• Include drainage or retaining walls (if part of the project).
Qualification Required:
• CPC31420 – Certificate III in Construction Waterproofing, or
• AHC30921 – Certificate III in Landscape Construction
When Required:
• Mandatory if you contract or advertise for paving work valued over $5,000 (including labour and materials).
2. Queensland (QLD)
Regulator: Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC)
Licence Type:
• Trade Contractor Licence – Concreting (includes paving, pathways, and driveways).
• Trade Contractor Licence – Structural Landscaping (covers paved areas integrated into landscaping work).
Scope of Work:
• Prepare surfaces and install paving, concrete slabs, and driveways.
• Construct associated edging or low retaining features.
Qualification Required:
• CPC30320 – Certificate III in Concreting or
• AHC30921 – Certificate III in Landscape Construction
When Required:
• If the value of the work exceeds $3,300 (including materials and labour).
3. Victoria (VIC)
Regulator: Victorian Building Authority (VBA)
Licence/Registration Type:
• Domestic Builder (Limited) – for paving and landscaping work involving structures.
• No licence required for minor, non-structural paving work (e.g., laying pavers on sand for paths or patios).
Scope of Work:
• Paving, driveways, paths, and outdoor surfaces.
• Registration required only for structural elements (e.g., drainage, concrete foundations).
Qualification Recommended:
• Certificate III in Landscape Construction
4. Western Australia (WA)
Regulator: Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety – Building & Energy WA
Licence Type:
• Building Contractor (Restricted) or
• Landscaping Contractor Registration
Scope of Work:
• Paving and concreting of external areas, including driveways and pathways.
• Structural landscaping features and ground preparation.
Qualification Required:
• AHC30921 – Certificate III in Landscape Construction
5. South Australia (SA)
Regulator: Consumer and Business Services (CBS)
Licence Type:
• Building Work Contractor Licence – Paving / Concrete / Driveways
Scope of Work:
• Laying paving materials such as concrete, brick, or stone.
• Includes excavation, site preparation, and sealing.
Qualification Required:
• CPC30320 – Certificate III in Concreting or equivalent experience.
When Required:
• Any contractor performing paving work for payment must hold this licence.
6. Tasmania (TAS)
Regulator: Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (CBOS)
Licence Type:
• Paving falls under Landscaping or Concreting categories.
• Licensing applies mainly to structural or high-value work.
Scope of Work:
• Paving and concreting of external areas.
• Retaining walls or drainage may trigger licensing requirements.
7. Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
Regulator: Access Canberra
Licence Type:
• Construction Occupation Licence – Landscaping or Concreting
Scope of Work:
• Paving, driveways, paths, and outdoor landscaping.
• Must comply with ACT building codes and environmental guidelines.
8. Northern Territory (NT)
Regulator: Building Practitioners Board NT
Licence Type:
• Building Contractor or Practitioner Registration – Landscaping or Concreting
Scope of Work:
• Surface preparation and installation of pavers for residential or commercial use.
• Includes ground levelling and drainage.
Qualification Required:
• Certificate III in Landscape Construction or equivalent.
🧰 Common National Qualifications Supporting Paver Licensing
|
Qualification |
Description |
|
AHC30921 – Certificate III in Landscape Construction |
Covers paving, retaining walls, and outdoor structure construction. |
|
CPC30320 – Certificate III in Concreting |
Focuses on preparing and installing concrete pavements and driveways. |
✅ Summary
|
State/Territory |
Licence Name / Type |
Typical Qualification |
|
NSW |
Structural Landscaping / Concreting |
Cert III Landscape Construction / Concreting |
|
QLD |
Trade Contractor (Concreting / Landscaping) |
Cert III Concreting / Landscape Construction |
|
VIC |
Domestic Builder (Limited) |
Cert III Landscape Construction |
|
WA |
Landscaping Contractor / Building Contractor (Restricted) |
Cert III Landscape Construction |
|
SA |
Building Work Contractor (Paving/Concrete/Driveways) |
Cert III Concreting |
|
TAS |
Landscaping / Concreting Licence |
Cert III Landscape Construction |
|
ACT |
Landscaping or Concreting Licence |
Cert III Landscape Construction |
|
NT |
Landscaping / Concreting Registration |
Cert III Landscape Construction |
🇦🇺 Qualifications
Because paving work is regulated differently across states and territories, the qualification requirements depend on whether paving falls under structural landscaping, concreting, or driveway/paving contracting.
🎓 1. Core National Qualifications
Across Australia, the following Certificate III trade qualifications are most commonly recognised for paving licences:
|
Qualification |
Code |
Description |
Relevant For |
|
Certificate III in Landscape Construction |
AHC30921 |
Covers site preparation, paving, retaining walls, turfing, and outdoor structures. |
Structural landscaping and paving contractors. |
|
Certificate III in Concreting |
CPC30320 |
Focuses on preparing, pouring, and finishing concrete pavements and surfaces. |
Concreting and driveway paving. |
|
Certificate III in Civil Construction (General or Bituminous Paving) |
RII30820 / RII30920 |
Focuses on civil paving, roadwork, and large-scale surface installation. |
Industrial or commercial pavers (road or heavy paving). |
Completing one of these trade qualifications, along with relevant work experience, is generally the minimum standard for licensing or registration in most states.
🏗️ 2. State-by-State Qualification Requirements
|
State / Territory |
Licence / Registration Type |
Minimum Qualification Required |
Issuing Authority |
|
New South Wales (NSW) |
Structural Landscaping or Concreting Licence |
- AHC30921 – Certificate III in Landscape Construction, or |
NSW Fair Trading |
|
Queensland (QLD) |
Trade Contractor Licence (Concreting or Landscaping) |
- CPC30320 – Certificate III in Concreting, or |
QBCC (Queensland Building and Construction Commission) |
|
Victoria (VIC) |
Domestic Builder (Limited) – Paving or Landscaping |
- AHC30921 – Certificate III in Landscape Construction |
Victorian Building Authority (VBA) |
|
Western Australia (WA) |
Building Contractor (Restricted) / Landscaping Contractor |
- AHC30921 – Certificate III in Landscape Construction |
Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (Building & Energy WA) |
|
South Australia (SA) |
Building Work Contractor – Paving / Concrete / Driveways |
- CPC30320 – Certificate III in Concreting or equivalent trade experience |
Consumer and Business Services SA (CBS) |
|
Tasmania (TAS) |
Concreting or Landscaping Licence |
- AHC30921 – Certificate III in Landscape Construction or |
Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (CBOS) |
|
Australian Capital Territory (ACT) |
Concreting or Landscaping Occupation Licence |
- AHC30921 – Certificate III in Landscape Construction |
Access Canberra |
|
Northern Territory (NT) |
Landscaping / Concreting Practitioner or Contractor Registration |
- AHC30921 – Certificate III in Landscape Construction or equivalent |
Building Practitioners Board NT |
🧰 3. Additional Requirements (Varies by State)
Besides qualifications, most licensing bodies also require:
• Proof of work experience (often 2+ years in the trade)
• Demonstrated competency in site safety and construction standards
• White Card (CPCWHS1001 – Prepare to work safely in the construction industry)
• Business registration / ABN (for contractors)
• Insurance evidence, such as:
=> Public liability insurance
=> Home Building Compensation (for NSW residential work > $20,000)
⚙️ 4. Optional but Beneficial Qualifications
To expand your scope or specialise:
• Certificate IV in Building and Construction (CPC40120) – allows transition into builder supervision or management.
• Diploma of Landscape Design (AHC50621) – for complex or large-scale landscape/paving projects.
• Short courses in decorative paving, drainage, or sustainable materials – useful for niche markets.
✅ Summary
|
Pathway |
Typical Qualification |
Leads To |
|
Residential or landscape paving |
Certificate III in Landscape Construction (AHC30921) |
Structural landscaping / paving licence |
|
Concrete or driveway paving |
Certificate III in Concreting (CPC30320) |
Concreting / paving contractor licence |
|
Large-scale civil or industrial paving |
Certificate III in Civil Construction (RII30820/RII30920) |
Civil paving / roadwork contractor roles |
Compliance and Penalties
• Fines up to $25,000–$50,000 (individuals) and $100,000+ (companies); possible prosecution or licence disqualification
• On-the-spot fines or environmental prosecution
• Direction to rectify, suspension, or cancellation of licence
Where to Verify a License
State/Territory Verification Authorities
|
State/Territory |
Licensing Authority |
Verification Link / Notes |
|
New South Wales (NSW) |
Verify NSW |
verify.licence.nsw.gov.au |
|
Victoria (VIC) |
Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC) |
vba.vic.gov.au |
|
Queensland (QLD) |
Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) |
qbcc.qld.gov.au |
|
Western Australia (WA) |
Western Australian Government |
wa.gov.au |
|
South Australia (SA) |
Consumer and Business Services |
cbs.sa.gov.au |
|
Tasmania (TAS) |
Consumer, Building and Occupational Services |
cbos.tas.gov.au |
|
Australian Capital Territory (ACT) |
Access Canberra |
accesscanberra.act.gov.au |
|
Northern Territory (NT) |
NT Building Practitioners Board |
bpb.nt.gov.au |
Career Roles
• Licensed Paving Contractor
• Structural Landscaper (with Paving Focus)
• Civil Construction Paver
• Site Supervisor or Foreperson (Paving Projects)
• Construction or Landscaping Business Owner
• Trainer or Assessor (TAFE or RTO Level)
• Paving Estimator or Project Planner
• Specialist Paver or Artisan
• Paving Inspector or Compliance Officer
Job Outlook and Salary
Here are some benchmark figures and what you might expect based on role, experience and geography.
• Entry-level or less specialised paving/concreting work: maybe in the range of A$60,000-A$70,000/year depending on hours, overtime, location.
• Skilled and experienced pavers: the “Skilled Worker Roadman/Paver” figure around A$80,000/year suggests a good benchmark.
• Supervisory roles in asphalt/paving: listings show averages around A$120,000/year for “Asphalt Laying Supervisor”.
• Hourly rates: Recent job ads for pavers show rates of A$45-53/hr in WA (brick paver job) and A$37-50/hr also in Perth.
• For broader paving/concreting trades: For example, for “Skilled Worker Roadman / Paver / Asphalter” the average salary is around A$80,460 per year in Australia.
• For “Asphalt Labourer” / paving-related labour: some recent listings show hourly rates of A$35-53/hr in Perth + similar ranges in other states.
• While specific occupation data for “paver licencee” is limited, the allied trade of “Concreter” has a mean annual salary reported around A$64,027.