No. Under the WA Government’s guidance, updated 20 May 2025, builders undertaking residential building work valued over $20,000 must obtain a home indemnity insurance (HII) certificate for the proposed work; a construction/public liability certificate or an HII eligibility certificate cannot be supplied instead. The permit authority checks that the HII certificate is watermarked—a format approved providers began using in 2016—and that QBE issued it and its details match QBE’s Builders Warranty Insurance Certificate Register; figures checked 1 October 2026.
How do HII and public liability insurance differ?
Public liability insurance and HII respond to different risks. Business.gov.au describes public liability insurance as covering death, injury or property damage suffered by another person because of negligence.
HII protects homeowners against the loss of a deposit or other financial loss if the builder cannot complete the work or meet a valid claim for faulty or unsatisfactory building work because of a relevant circumstance concerning the builder.
Relevant circumstances can include:
- an individual builder dying, disappearing or becoming insolvent;
- a non-individual builder, such as a corporation, ceasing to exist or becoming insolvent; or
- the State Administrative Tribunal cancelling a builder’s registration, or the Building Services Board refusing to renew it, because the builder failed to meet prescribed financial requirements.
A public liability certificate may document insurance for third-party liability, but it does not demonstrate that the required HII is in place for the proposed residential building work.
Which document can the permit authority accept?
| Document | Role in the WA process | Can it replace the HII certificate? |
|---|---|---|
| HII certificate of insurance | Evidence of HII for the proposed residential building work | Yes, subject to the permit authority’s checks |
| Construction/public liability insurance certificate | Evidence of a different type of liability insurance | No |
| HII eligibility certificate | An insurance-related document that the WA Government expressly identifies as unsuitable | No |
| Notice for the homeowner | A statutory summary of the Home Building Contracts Act 1991 and HII requirements | No; it is a separate homeowner document |
The Notice for the homeowner does not prove that HII has been obtained. A homeowner may need both documents: the Notice explaining the legal framework and the HII certificate showing insurance for the proposed work.
How does the QBE register check work?
Before granting a building permit for residential building work valued over $20,000, the permit authority must ensure that:
- the builder has submitted an HII certificate for the proposed work;
- the certificate is watermarked;
- QBE issued the certificate;
- its details match QBE’s records in the Builders Warranty Insurance Certificate Register; and
- the builder has not supplied an HII eligibility certificate or construction/public liability certificate instead.
Homeowners can use the same register to confirm that QBE issued the builder’s Certificate of Insurance and compare its details with QBE’s records. This confirms the certificate’s QBE origin and whether the recorded details match; it does not convert public liability insurance into HII.
When must the builder provide the documents?
| Timing | Builder’s requirement | What the homeowner can check |
|---|---|---|
| Before the home building contract is signed or a deposit is paid | Provide the “Notice for the homeowner” | That the notice was supplied and read |
| Before claiming payment or commencing work under a contract for residential building work valued over $20,000 | Obtain the HII certificate and provide a copy to the owner | That the certificate covers the proposed work |
| During the building approval process | Provide a copy of the HII certificate to the permit authority | That the permit authority can verify the certificate |
| If the builder changes before completion | The proposed new builder must obtain an HII certificate for the proposed work or required stage and give it to the owner | That the new builder’s certificate has been supplied; providing a copy to the permit authority is also advisable |
Builders who fail to obtain HII when required risk substantial penalties and disciplinary proceedings.
When is associated work exempt from HII?
HII is not required for associated work performed alone under separate contracts, including:
- installing a swimming pool;
- installing a carport;
- installing a pergola; or
- landscaping.
The separate-contract condition matters. A homeowner should not assume that the same exemption applies merely because a pool, carport, pergola or landscaping forms part of a broader building project.
If a builder claims an HII exemption and there is uncertainty about whether it applies, check with Building and Energy rather than relying only on a public liability certificate or a verbal assurance.
Who can confirm the provider or exemption?
Building and Energy can advise about approved HII providers and help resolve uncertainty about an exemption. Contact details listed by the WA Government are:
- Phone: 1300 489 099
- Email: bcinfo@demirs.wa.gov.au
Check the current WA Government regulatory information and the policy’s Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) before relying on a certificate or exemption. This is general information, not financial or legal advice.
Sources
- WA Government — Home indemnity insurance – a reminder about your obligations
- business.gov.au — Types of business insurance
FAQ
Is a public liability certificate acceptable for Western Australian home indemnity insurance?
No. For residential building work valued over $20,000, the permit authority must receive an HII certificate for the proposed work. A construction/public liability certificate or HII eligibility certificate cannot replace it.
Does work valued at exactly $20,000 require HII?
The cited WA Government requirement applies to work valued over $20,000. The announcement does not separately resolve how a project valued at exactly $20,000 should be treated, so confirm that threshold with Building and Energy if it affects the decision.
Is the Notice for the homeowner the same as an HII certificate?
No. The Notice for the homeowner summarises the main legal requirements and must be supplied before the contract is signed or a deposit is paid. The HII certificate is the separate document used to evidence insurance for the proposed work.
Does a pool, carport, pergola or landscaping job always avoid HII?
Not automatically. The WA Government identifies an exemption where the associated work is performed alone under a separate contract. Homeowners should not assume the exemption applies if that work is combined with other work under the same contract.
What happens if the builder changes during construction?
The proposed new builder must obtain an HII certificate for the proposed work or required stage and provide a copy to the homeowner. The new builder should also provide a copy to the permit authority.
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