Owner Builder Education
In the last 12 months, the Owner-builder education scheme in NSW has been given a major upheaval. As of the 1st October 2010, any prospective owner-builder wishing to carry out work on their residential property with a reasonable value of $12,000 or more must complete the new nationally accredited course “91509NSW Course in Owner Builder Compliance”. This is the only course that is valid as proof that an applicant has passed the required training by the Office of Fair Trading.
What is in the Course?
The course consists of five Modules which are outlined below. The entire course can be completed over four days of face-to-face training or via correspondence or online. Absolute Education provides the entire course in an online format but offers telephone assistance and advice as required. Depending on the mode of delivery the course currently costs from $189.00 with online completion being the most cost effective option.
Module 1 - Prepare to be an Owner Builder covers topics such as the authorities you may encounter, basic house construction, relevant insurances and licensing requirements plus the whole D.A. approval process.
Module 2 – Administer Contracts is all about contracts, basic on-site and off-site administration as well as the need for proper record-keeping.
Module 3 – Occupational Health & Safety covers implementing OH&S policies and procedures. It includes hazard assessment, electrical safety, demolition, asbestos, noise, manual handling, safe use of plant & equipment and general advice on codes of practice and personal protective equipment.
Module 4 – Drawings, Estimating & Cash Flow covers job costing, estimating, budget control as well interpreting different types of drawings and specifications.
Module 5 – Manage the Work is all about managing the site, being able to prove effective negotiation skills and communication plus how to avoid or handle disputes should they arise. It also covers what amenities are required and ensuring relevant inspections are carried out at the right stage of development.
Students do not fail or pass. They are either deemed competent or not competent. If a student is deemed not competent, they are able to resubmit their assessment a number of times until they are deemed competent. Students must be able to prove their competency across all 5 modules of the course by completing a number of learning activities and multiple choice and short answer questions. Students must also provide proof that they have completed their OHS induction course (White Card). This is explained below.
Why is the course so detailed?
In recent years, there have been a number of fatalities on owner-builder sites. The Office of Fair Trading has attempted to make owner-builders more aware of their responsibilities and legal rights and the procedures. The old course only covered the basic fundamentals of becoming an owner-builder. The move to make the course nationally accredited will at least see the quality of training and the amount of information assessed more consistent across all the providers offering the new course.
Pre-requisites for completing the course
Modules 1 & 2 and the units of competency found in these modules were specifically created for the NSW owner-builder course and do not have any pre-requisites. This basically means anyone can complete these units without any prior knowledge. All that is needed is a basic understanding of English. It is the responsibility of the trainer to support all participants with their Language, Literacy & Numeracy support. This is part of their obligations as a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) under the Australian Quality Training Framework.
The units of competency found in modules 3, 4 & 5 have a pre-requisite of the WorkCover OHS Induction Course, “CPCCOHS1001A – Work Safely in the Construction Industry”. This is otherwise now known as the White Card which on the 1st January 2010 replaced the old green card, blue card and red card for each of the different states in Australia. The White Card is issued by WorkCover in each separate state of Australia. There has always been some level of interstate recognition of the cards in previous years, however the move to unify the card and make it white has at least made it easier or less confusing for people travelling to or moving interstate. In NSW, it is a requirement that the White Card be completed in a face-to-face environment over a minimum of 6.5 hours.
Recognition of Prior Learning and Alternative Qualifications
The Office of Fair Trading offers persons who hold suitable qualifications exemption from completing the owner builder course. An applicant needs to provide evidence of their current qualifications and submit this along with their application at the time of applying for their owner-builder licence.
Another process by which exemption to the course (or parts of the course) can be made is through the process of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). All RTO’s must be able to provide RPL for their students. To apply for RPL a student must prove they have passed the equivalent training through another institution or that they have vocational experience in their current or past employment.
Further information concerning the 91509NSW Course in Owner Builder Compliance can be sourced from the author of this article and the Office of Fair Trading (www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au ).
Peter Berginc is a qualified Trainer & Assessor and the director of ABSOLUTE Education P/L (RTO provider # 91521). He has been offering owner-builder education to NSW, QLD and ACT residents for the past 10 years.
info@ozob.com.au
1800 427 407
