Slater

 

🇦🇺 Introduction

A Slater licence (also known as a Roof Slater Licence) in Australia refers to the official authorisation that allows an individual or business to install, repair, or restore slate roofing on buildings — including both natural slate and synthetic slate materials.

Slating is a specialised branch of roofing that requires advanced skills, as slate roofs are labour-intensive, durable, and often used on heritage or high-end buildings.
Because slate roofing involves structural work and waterproofing, it falls under roof tiling and roofing trades, and therefore usually requires a roofing or building trade licence depending on the state or territory.

A licensed roof slater is permitted to:

•         Install or replace slate tiles on pitched or curved roofs.

•         Carry out repairs, restoration, or maintenance on existing slate roofs.

•         Install battens, underlays, and flashing as part of roof structure preparation.

•         Work on heritage or conservation buildings requiring traditional slating methods.

•         Supervise or contract others to perform roofing or slating work (if holding a contractor licence).

 

 

🇦🇺 Types

Slater licensing in Australia is a specialised subset of roofing licences, as slate roofing requires advanced skills, precise installation, and sometimes heritage knowledge. The types of slater licences vary slightly by state and territory, but generally fall under the following categories:

 

🇦🇺 1. Main Types of Slater Licences

Licence Type	Description	Scope of Work
Roof Tiling Licence – Slating Specialisation	Permits installation, repair, or replacement of slate tiles on pitched roofs.	Natural slate, synthetic slate, underlay installation, flashing, and waterproofing.
Heritage / Conservation Slating Licence	Special authorisation to work on heritage-listed or historic buildings.	Restoring and repairing slate roofs to original specifications using traditional techniques.
Roofing Contractor / Builder Licence (Restricted to Slating)	Allows a business or contractor to employ licensed slaters and manage slating projects.	Supervision, contracting, and project management for slate roofing jobs.
Roof Plumbing Licence (for Slate Roof Drainage Work)	Covers installation of gutters, downpipes, and roof drainage systems on slate roofs.	Flashings, rainwater disposal systems, roof drainage integration.

 

🏙️ 2. State-by-State Breakdown

New South Wales (NSW) – NSW Fair Trading

•         Roof Tiling / Roof Slating Licence:

•         Covers slate tile installation and repairs.

•         Contractor Licence (Roofing/Slating):

•         Required to contract or employ other slaters for residential/commercial work.

Victoria (VIC) – Victorian Building Authority (VBA)

•         Domestic Builder (Limited – Roof Tiling / Slating):

•         Authorises slate roofing work on domestic projects.

•         Heritage Slating Licence:

•         For restoration of heritage slate roofs.

Queensland (QLD) – Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC)

•         Roof Tiling Licence (includes slate):

•         Allows installation, repair, and maintenance of slate roofs.

•         Roof Plumbing Licence:

•         Required if slate roof work includes drainage systems.

South Australia (SA) – Consumer and Business Services (CBS)

•         Roofing – Tiles / Slate:

•         Covers slate installation, repair, and supervision.

•         Contractor Licence:

•         Required for project management or employment of slaters.

Western Australia (WA) – Building and Energy (DMIRS)

•         Roof Tiling / Slating Registration:

•         Registered builder/trade required to work on slate roofs.

•         Roof Plumbing Licence:

•         Needed if slate roof drainage is involved.

Tasmania (TAS) – CBOS

•         Roof Tiling / Slating (Restricted Builder):

•         Allows slate roof installation and repairs for residential projects.

•         Contractor Licence (Roofing):

•         Required to hire others or manage larger projects.

Australian Capital Territory (ACT) – Access Canberra

•         Roofing – Slating / Tiling Licence:

•         Covers slate roof installation, repair, and maintenance.

•         Contractor / Builder Licence:

•         For supervising or contracting slater teams.

Northern Territory (NT) – Building Practitioners Board

•         Roof Tiling / Slating Practitioner Licence:

•         Authorises individuals to install, repair, or maintain slate roofs.

•         Registered Contractor Licence:

•         Required to manage slate roofing projects or employ staff.

 

🧰 3. Key Notes

•         Heritage projects often require additional training or recognition because slate work on historic buildings must meet heritage preservation standards.

•         Contractor licences are necessary if you plan to employ other licensed slaters or undertake larger residential or commercial slate projects.

•         Roof plumbing licences are sometimes required for drainage integration, even if the main work is slate roofing.

•         Most states combine tile and slate work under a single licence class, but heritage restoration may require a separate endorsement.

 

🏆 Summary

Slater licences in Australia generally fall into four categories:

•         Roof Tiling Licence – Slating Specialisation

•         Heritage / Conservation Slating Licence

•         Roofing Contractor / Builder Licence (Restricted to Slating)

•         Roof Plumbing Licence (for slate roof drainage systems)

These licences ensure that individuals and businesses working with slate roofs are qualified, insured, and compliant with Australian standards, building codes, and heritage requirements.

 

 

🇦🇺 Qualifications

A Slater Licence allows an individual to install, repair, or restore slate roofs. Because slate roofing is specialised and high-risk, licensing in Australia requires formal qualifications, practical experience, and sometimes heritage-specific training. The exact requirements vary by state or territory.

 

🇦🇺 1. Core National Qualifications

Most states recognise formal trade qualifications under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).

🧰 A. Certificate III in Roof Tiling (CPC30820)

•         This is the primary qualification for roof slaters.

•         Covers:

•         Installing and repairing slate and tile roofs

•         Measuring, cutting, and fixing slate tiles

•         Installing flashings, underlay, and waterproofing systems

•         Working safely at heights

•         Pathways:

•         Apprenticeship: Typically 3–4 years of on-site training

•         Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): For experienced workers without formal qualifications

🧰 B. Heritage/Advanced Slating

•         Optional, for those working on heritage buildings.

•         Some states (e.g., VIC, NSW) require additional heritage roofing courses.

•         Covers:

•         Traditional slate installation methods

•         Conservation standards and restoration techniques

🧰 C. Roof Plumbing (Optional for Drainage Integration)

•         Certificate III in Roof Plumbing (CPC32620) is sometimes required if slaters also install gutters, downpipes, or flashings.

•         Ensures compliance with AS/NZS 3500 Plumbing and Drainage Standards.

 

🏙️ 2. State-by-State Requirements

State/Territory	Required Qualification	Experience Required	Notes
NSW	CPC30820 (Roof Tiling/Slating)	2 years supervised roofing experience	Contractor licence required to employ others or manage projects
VIC	CPC30820 or equivalent	3 years practical experience	Heritage slating may require extra training or assessment
QLD	CPC30820	2–3 years experience	Roof plumbing certificate needed if doing drainage work
WA	CPC30820	2+ years	Must also hold relevant builder/trade registration
SA	CPC30820	2 years experience	Knowledge of Australian Standards AS 2050 required
TAS	CPC30820	Documented practical experience	White Card (construction induction) required
ACT	CPC30820	2+ years	Contractor licence required for employing other tradespeople
NT	CPC30820	3 years practical experience	Referee verification and portfolio of work often needed

 

🧾 3. Additional Requirements

In addition to formal qualifications, aspiring slaters usually need:

•         ✅ White Card (Construction Induction Training)

•         ✅ Working at Heights Certification (RIIWHS204E)

•         ✅ First Aid Certificate

•         ✅ Asbestos Awareness Training (for older buildings)

•         ✅ Business Management Training (if applying for contractor licence)

•         ✅ Portfolio of work and references (especially for RPL applicants)

 

🏆 4. Pathways to a Slater Licence

•         Apprenticeship Route:

•         Complete a Certificate III in Roof Tiling via TAFE or RTO

•         Gain 2–4 years on-site experience

•         Apply for a slater licence through your state regulator

•         Experienced Worker / RPL Route:

•         Document prior slating experience

•         Submit evidence and references to an RTO for recognition

•         Complete any state-specific assessments

•         Apply for the licence

•         Contractor / Business Licence:

•         Must already hold a slater trade licence

•         Complete business management and insurance requirements

 

🧱 Summary

To obtain a Slater Licence in Australia, you generally need:

•         🎓 Certificate III in Roof Tiling (CPC30820)

•         🛠️ 2–3 years of verifiable slating experience

•         🦺 White Card and safety certifications

•         🧾 Portfolio of work or heritage training if required

•         💼 Business management/insurance (for contractor licences)

These requirements ensure that slaters are skilled, safe, and compliant with the National Construction Code (NCC) and Australian standards for roofing.

 

 

Compliance and Penalties

•         Up to $22,000 fine for individuals, $110,000 for companies for unlicensed work.

•         Suspension or cancellation of licence.

•         Criminal prosecution for repeated breaches.

 

 

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 Slater / Roof Slater

•         Heritage Roof Restorer / Conservation Slater

•         Roofing Contractor / Business Owner

•         Roof Maintenance Supervisor / Inspector

•         Trainer / TAFE Instructor

•         Construction Site Supervisor / Foreperson

•         Self-Employed / Independent Contractor

•         Roof Tiler (clay/concrete tiles)

•         Roof Plumber (gutters, downpipes, flashing)

•         Building Inspector or Assessor

•         Construction Project Manager

•         Estimator or Scheduler in roofing firms

 

 

Job Outlook and Salary

·  Entry-level or less experienced: perhaps AUD $45,000-60,000/year, or hourly around $25-35/hour, depending on location and job spec.

·  Mid-level (qualified, several years’ experience, working on slate rather than standard tile, possibly supervising): AUD $60,000-90,000/year (or equivalent hourly + overtime/allowances).

·  Highly specialised slater (heritage, structural slate, lead flashing, large commercial project, or contracting own business): could exceed AUD $90,000/year, with some roles paying premium hourly rates (>$40/hour + allowances).

·  For hourly job ad ($40-80/h) in Sydney, assuming 38-40 hours/week, that translates roughly to $80,000-$160,000/year if full time consistently at upper rates (though overheads, downtime, travel may reduce actual income).

·  A salary website reports average for “Roof Slater and Tiler” in Australia: about AUD $27,900/year, ranging from ~$14,500 (low) to ~$42,700 (high).

·  Another more general figure for “Roofer” in Australia: about ~ AUD $54,014/year (≈ $27.33/hour) with higher end ~$88,463/year.

·  A job ad: $40-80/hour for a slater/tiler in Sydney.

·  National occupational data: median hourly earnings for roof tilers is given as ~$43/hour for full-time workers (from ABS estimate).