Owner builders

Under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 duties for an owner builder who is managing contractors (such as plumbers or electricians), will generally be limited to those duties relevant to a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) with management or control of the workplace and the duty to consult with other duty holders.

A person who meets the following criteria and does not have an owner builder permit is therefore not engaged in the conduct of a business or undertaking and accordingly has no duties arising:

• a home buyer, owner or occupier commissioning work on their home
• an individual undertaking DIY maintenance, refurbishment or renovations of their own home or helping a friend.