Use the HBC Check

If you’re building or renovating a home and the work is valued at $20,000 or more (including GST), your builder or contractor must have home building compensation (HBC) cover before taking any money (including a deposit) or starting the work.

HBC cover protects you as a last resort if your builder cannot complete the work or honour statutory warranties due to insolvency, death, disappearance, or licence suspension for failing to compensate a home owner.

With the HBC Check, you can confirm if your property has valid HBC cover. You can search by: 

• insurance certificate number
• principal contractor’s name or licence number 
• name of the company or partnership 
• property address of the insured work. 

The register provides the:

• insurance certificate's issue date
• insured work's property address
• principal contractor's name and licence number
• insurance claims that have been paid on an insurance certificate.

For more information on the HBC Check, visit the State Insurance Regulatory Authority.