Use the Home Building Compensation (HBC) Assist tool to check whether an NSW job needs cover, and use the free public HBC Check register to confirm that a builder or tradesperson has valid cover for the residential work. Service NSW says that eligible work requires at least $340,000 in HBC cover before work starts or any money, including a deposit, is taken when the contract price or market cost of labour and materials is over $20,000 including GST (figures checked 1 October 2026).
What does HBC Assist check that HBC Check does not?
The two checks answer different questions:
| Tool | Question to ask | What it establishes |
|---|---|---|
| HBC Assist | Does this particular job need HBC cover? | Whether the job falls within the HBC requirement |
| HBC Check | Is the job listed as having HBC cover? | Public confirmation that a builder or tradesperson has valid cover for the NSW residential work |
Use HBC Assist for the job-scope decision. Use HBC Check to confirm cover for a project where HBC cover has already been taken out. A registration or listing does not answer whether a different job falls within the HBC threshold.
Which jobs fall within the HBC threshold?
Service NSW’s rule applies when the relevant conditions are met:
| Condition | What to check |
|---|---|
| Contracting party | The work is contracted with a home owner, owner-builder or developer |
| Project | It is a residential home or renovation project |
| Value | The contract price or market cost of labour and materials is over $20,000 including GST |
| Insurance status | The project is not exempt from insurance |
The value test refers to the contract price or the market cost of labour and materials; the two figures are not added together.
Projects that typically require HBC cover include:
- alterations or renovations of residential buildings of any height;
- construction of a house, duplex or triplex;
- low-rise residential multi-unit buildings up to 3 storeys high; and
- structures associated with a home, including backyard swimming pools, spas, garages and outbuildings.
These examples do not replace the job-specific HBC Assist check. Service NSW also says HBC cover is not needed when the work is subcontracted from another licensed contractor.
What must happen before the deposit or work starts?
Service NSW says HBC cover is required before contracting to work on certain residential building jobs. For every job that meets the requirements, the contractor must:
- take out HBC cover for that job; and
- provide the certificate of insurance to the home owner before taking a deposit or starting work.
| Checkpoint | Required position |
|---|---|
| Before taking a deposit | The certificate of insurance must already have been provided |
| Before starting work | The certificate of insurance must already have been provided |
The certificate therefore cannot be treated as paperwork to provide after the deposit or first day of work. Service NSW states that failing to take out the required cover and provide the certificate is an offence under NSW law.
What does a contractor need before applying?
To be eligible to apply for HBC cover, Service NSW says an applicant needs:
- a contractor licence for building, trade or specialist work;
- an ABN/ACN; and
- a certificate of eligibility.
The certificate of eligibility sets out how much work the contractor can take on. HBCF assesses the risk of builders and tradespeople to determine their eligibility for insurance cover.
How does the broker-distributor application work?
Service NSW gives three steps for obtaining HBC cover:
- Find an insurance broker distributor from icare HBCF’s list.
- Get a certificate of eligibility from that broker distributor.
- Submit the HBC cover application through the broker distributor.
Once eligible, a builder or tradesperson can apply for a Certificate of Insurance for each individual project they contract to complete. The two certificates serve different purposes:
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Certificate of Eligibility | Establishes eligibility and sets out how much work the contractor can take on |
| Certificate of Insurance | Applies to an individual contracted project and must be provided to the home owner before a deposit is taken or work starts |
Who regulates HBC, and where can I get help?
Service NSW identifies the State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA) as the regulator of the HBC scheme and icare HBCF as the only insurance provider offering HBC cover. The official icare HBCF website provides further scheme information.
For general enquiries, Service NSW’s HBCF directory lists:
- Phone: (02) 9216 3224, 9am to 5pm
- Email: enquiries.hbcf@icare.nsw.gov.au
- Postal address: HBCF, GPO Box 4052, Sydney NSW 2001
Check before committing: This is general information, not financial or legal advice. Check the current regulator guidance and the relevant policy’s Product Disclosure Statement before relying on the process or paying a deposit.
Sources
Source pages checked 1 October 2026.
- Apply for home building compensation cover | Service NSW
- icare HBCF website
- Home Building Compensation Fund (HBCF) | Service NSW
FAQ
Do HBC Assist and HBC Check answer the same question?
No. HBC Assist checks whether the job needs HBC cover. HBC Check is the free public register used to confirm that a job has valid HBC cover.
Can I take a deposit while the certificate is still pending?
No. For each job that meets the requirements, the contractor must take out HBC cover and provide the certificate of insurance to the home owner before taking a deposit or starting work.
Does subcontracting the work change the requirement?
Service NSW says HBC cover is not needed when the work is subcontracted from another licensed contractor.
What is the difference between the Certificate of Eligibility and the Certificate of Insurance?
The Certificate of Eligibility establishes eligibility and sets out how much work the contractor can take on. The Certificate of Insurance relates to an individual project and must be provided before the deposit or work starts.
Does every landscaping job need HBC cover?
The actual job and contract structure need to be checked rather than deciding from the trade label alone. Service NSW directs users to HBC Assist to determine whether the job needs cover.
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