Does an NSW Structural Landscaping Job Over $20,000 Need HBC Cover?

Figures checked 1 October 2026.

Yes—if the job is residential building work, the relevant price or market cost is over $20,000 including GST and the project is not exempt, the principal contractor must take out home building compensation (HBC) cover, according to the State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA) guidance published 9 July 2026. The Service NSW page updated 9 September 2024 says HBC cover must be at least $340,000 and held before requesting or accepting money, including a deposit, or starting work.

Does structural landscaping count as residential building work?

The NSW Government’s General building work page, updated 03 September 2026, places general building work in the residential building work category. It defines residential building work as activities related to constructing, altering or adding to a dwelling and lists structural landscaping among work requiring a building licence.

Structural landscaping can therefore form part of residential building work. The landscaping label alone does not determine the HBC outcome: consider the actual scope of the work, its connection to the dwelling, who contracted for the job and whether the project is exempt.

Service NSW provides the HBC Assist tool to check whether a particular job needs HBC cover.

Who is the principal contractor?

Identify the party that contracts with the home owner or other client before deciding who needs cover.

Only the principal contractor can satisfy the insurance obligation. A principal contractor cannot meet that obligation by having an employee, subcontractor or another worker take out insurance instead. The principal contractor must take out the insurance in the same name used to contract the work, including the corporation’s name where applicable.

If the principal contractor engages subcontractors to perform parts of the project, the principal remains responsible for insuring the whole project.

When does a job cross the HBC threshold?

The current requirements can be separated into four checks:

If the price is unknown or the work is not being done under contract, SIRA says to use the reasonable market cost of the labour and materials. If a project is divided into more than one contract, SIRA says the amount is the total of all those contracts.

Certain project types are automatically exempt, so an amount over $20,000 does not by itself settle the question. When the project type or exemption is unclear, check the current regulator guidance.

When must the principal arrange and provide HBC cover?

For each job that meets the requirements, the principal contractor must:

1. Take out HBC cover of at least $340,000.
2. Hold that cover before requesting or accepting any money, including a deposit, or doing residential building work under the contract.
3. Take out the cover in the same legal name used to contract the job.
4. Provide the certificate of insurance to the home owner before taking a deposit or starting work.

Failure to comply with the insurance requirements is an offence under NSW law. SIRA also warns that uninsured work may affect contract enforcement, recovery of money from the customer, planning-law requirements and project commencement or certification.

How can the cover be arranged and checked?

SIRA regulates the HBC scheme. Service NSW sets out the following process:

1. Check the job: Use HBC Assist to determine whether HBC cover is required.
2. Check eligibility: An applicant needs a contractor licence for building, trade or specialist work, an ABN/ACN and a certificate of eligibility.
3. Use a broker distributor: Find an insurance broker distributor from icare HBCF’s list, obtain the certificate of eligibility and submit the HBC application through that distributor.
4. Verify the job record: Anyone can use the free public HBC check register to confirm that a builder or tradesperson has valid HBC cover for the residential work being done in NSW.

What should you confirm before acting?

This is general information, not financial or legal advice. Check the current SIRA or regulator page for the job classification, threshold and exemptions. For any insurance policy being considered, read its Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), because HBC eligibility and other insurance cover are separate questions.

Sources

• Service NSW — Apply for home building compensation cover
• NSW Government — General building work
• State Insurance Regulatory Authority — Insurance obligations for residential building works

FAQ

Does a structural landscaping job over $20,000 always need HBC cover?

No. The job must be residential building work, the relevant amount must be over $20,000 including GST, the project must not be exempt and a principal contractor must be responsible for the work.

If I am a subcontractor, do I need my own HBC cover?

Generally, no. Employees and subcontractors working for a licensed contractor that must carry HBC cover do not need to take out their own cover under the scheme. Their insurance does not satisfy the principal contractor’s obligation, so check that the principal contractor’s cover appears on HBC check.

How is the amount assessed if there is no contract price?

SIRA says the reasonable market cost of labour and materials is used when the price is unknown or the work is not under contract. If the project is split across multiple contracts, SIRA says to total all the contracts.

Can the principal contractor take a deposit while arranging HBC cover?

No. For a qualifying job, HBC cover must be in place before requesting or accepting money, including a deposit, or starting work. The certificate of insurance must also be provided to the home owner before the deposit is taken or work begins.

What is the difference between HBC Assist and HBC check?

HBC Assist helps determine whether a job needs HBC cover. HBC check is the free public register used to confirm that covered jobs and builders or tradespeople have valid HBC cover.