An owner-builder permit from NSW Fair Trading lets you manage the building of your own home. It does not let you swing the hammer on a licensed demolition.
What an Owner-Builder Permit Allows
- Managing trades for the construction of your residence
- Coordinating subcontractors
- Doing unlicensed work yourself (cleanup, painting, basic carpentry, landscaping)
- Living on-site during construction (subject to conditions)
What Still Requires a Licensed Demolisher
Under NSW Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017, demolition of a structure 4+ metres tall, with load-bearing elements, or containing asbestos, must be done by a licensed demolisher. That covers virtually every house demolition in NSW.
Licence classes:
- Demolition Licence (Class 1 or 2): issued by SafeWork NSW
- Asbestos Removal Licence (Class A friable or Class B bonded): for any asbestos work above 10 m²
Owner-builder permits do not waive these licence requirements.
What You Can Do Yourself
- Demolish a garden shed under 10 m² (no asbestos)
- Remove non-load-bearing internal items (cabinets, fixtures, non-asbestos floor coverings)
- Remove a fence (not party-wall)
- Hand-strip the inside of a structure before licensed demolisher pushes the shell
Hidden Risk: Insurance & Asbestos
If you DIY demolition without the licence and asbestos is found (even small amounts in vinyl, eaves, or fence sheets), you face:
- SafeWork NSW penalty notices ($720+ on the spot, up to $300,000+ for breaches)
- Refusal of insurance claims
- EPA contaminated-soil obligations if asbestos was mishandled
- Personal exposure liability (no Workers Comp on yourself)
How to Use a Licensed Demolisher Smart as an Owner-Builder
- Get a fixed-price written quote with clear exclusions (asbestos band, soil contamination, services disconnections)
- Do the soft-strip yourself (cabinets, carpet, non-asbestos internal items) and reduce the demolisher's scope
- Salvage timber, fixtures, and brick before the demolisher mobilises
- Arrange service disconnections yourself (Sydney Water, Ausgrid, Jemena) — owner-builders can handle this
- Project-manage the lodgement pack: CDC, asbestos register, dilapidation report
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an owner-builder do their own demolition in NSW?
No, not for a typical residential demolition. Demolition of structures with load-bearing elements, asbestos, or above 4 m height needs a licensed demolisher under WHS Regulation 2017.
Does owner-builder permit cover asbestos removal?
No. Asbestos removal above 10 m² requires a Class A or Class B licensed asbestos removalist regardless of owner-builder status.
Can I save money by hand-stripping inside before the demolisher arrives?
Yes — this is the smart play. Removing cabinets, fixtures, salvageable timber and non-asbestos internal items can knock $2,000–$6,000 off a typical demolition quote.