Work Health and Safety (WHS) is one of 8 mandatory CPD learning areas for NSW builders. Every licensed residential builder must complete WHS CPD each year as part of their 12-point annual requirement under the Home Building Act 1989. Complete your WHS CPD and all 12 annual points online through Builders CPD Online (RTO 91528) from $169.
Complete Your WHS CPD and All 12 Points Online — From $169
Covers SWMS, hazard identification, contractor duties, and site safety. No classroom. Instant certificate.
Start Your WHS CPD Today
Work Health and Safety (WHS) is a mandatory CPD learning area under the NSW Fair Trading CPD framework. Every licensed NSW builder must complete WHS CPD every year as part of their 12 annual CPD points — it is not optional, and it cannot be skipped. Your WHS CPD must cover on-site safety obligations, Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS), hazard identification, and your duties as a principal contractor under the Home Building Act 1989 and the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.
Builders CPD Online (RTO 91528) is accredited by NSW Fair Trading to deliver WHS CPD for licensed builders. Complete your WHS courses and your entire 12-point annual requirement online, at your own pace, from any device.
Who Must Complete WHS CPD in NSW?
Every NSW licensed builder holding a contractor licence under the Home Building Act 1989 must complete WHS CPD each year. This applies to residential builders, swimming pool and spa builders, and any builder operating as a principal contractor on a job site. There are no exemptions based on business size, number of employees, or years of experience.
WHS CPD is mandatory for:
- All NSW residential builders holding a contractor licence
- Swimming pool and spa builders (Restricted Builder licence)
- Sole traders and company directors responsible for site safety
- Principal contractors on residential building projects
- Builders with one-year, three-year, or open contractor licences
Under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW), every builder acting as a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) has primary legal responsibility for site health and safety — including subcontractors working under their direction. WHS CPD keeps you current on your legal duties and helps you manage site risk effectively.
What Does WHS CPD Cover for NSW Builders?
WHS CPD for builders focuses on the practical safety obligations that apply to residential construction sites in NSW. The four WHS courses available through Builders CPD Online cover every key area of your safety compliance obligations:
| WHS Course | What You Will Learn | CPD Points |
|---|---|---|
| Workplace Health and Safety | Your duties as a PCBU, site safety management, incident reporting, legal obligations under the WHS Act 2011 | 2 points |
| Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) | How to write compliant SWMS documents, when SWMS is required, high-risk construction work categories, subcontractor SWMS obligations | 2 points |
| Safety Hazards On Site | Identifying and controlling construction site hazards — falls, electrical, excavation, manual handling, chemical handling, plant and equipment | 2 points |
| Workers Compensation Basics | NSW workers compensation obligations, icare insurance requirements, return-to-work responsibilities, builder liability for subcontractor injuries | 2 points |
The 8 CPD Learning Areas — Where WHS Fits In
WHS is one of 8 mandatory learning areas your 12 annual CPD points must cover. Fair Trading requires builders to distribute points across all 8 areas — you cannot complete all 12 points solely from WHS courses. Here is how your points must be spread:
| # | CPD Learning Area | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Technical Skills | Building Code of Australia, construction methods, waterproofing, cladding systems, BCA/NCC compliance |
| 2 | Sustainability | Energy efficiency, NatHERS ratings, insulation, passive solar design, NCC 2022 requirements |
| 3 | Business Management | Estimating, project management, financial management, subcontractor management |
| 4 | WHS ← you are here | Site safety, SWMS, hazard identification, workers compensation |
| 5 | Legal & Regulatory | Home Building Act 1989, building contracts, defect claims, warranty obligations |
| 6 | Customer Service & Disputes | Client communication, variation disputes, NCAT complaints |
| 7 | Digital Literacy | Project management software, digital contracts, cloud storage, mobile apps |
| 8 | Risk Management | Project risk assessment, contract risk, insurance, defect liability |
Ready to tick off your WHS CPD?
40 courses. All 8 learning areas. Complete from your phone or laptop. From $169 — instant certificate.
Register Now — Start Your CPD Today
How to Complete Your WHS CPD Online — Step by Step
How to complete your WHS CPD through Builders CPD Online:
- Step 1: Register — create your account at builderscpdonline.com.au in under 2 minutes.
- Step 2: Choose your package — select 12 CPD points ($169) to cover your full annual requirement.
- Step 3: Select WHS courses — pick from the 4 WHS courses. Include courses from all other 7 learning areas to hit your 12-point total.
- Step 4: Complete at your own pace — log in from any device. Progress saves automatically. There is no fixed timetable or exam deadline.
- Step 5: Download your certificate — once you reach 12 points, your CPD certificate is available instantly. No waiting period.
- Step 6: Submit at renewal — attach your certificate to your NSW contractor licence renewal through Service NSW.
NSW Builder WHS Obligations — What the Law Requires
NSW builders operate under two key pieces of legislation that set out your WHS duties: the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW) and the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017 (NSW). As a licensed builder acting as a PCBU, your primary duties include:
Your key legal WHS duties as an NSW builder:
- Ensure the health and safety of all workers on your site — employees and subcontractors
- Prepare and maintain a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) for all high-risk construction work
- Identify and eliminate or control all foreseeable hazards on your site
- Hold current workers compensation insurance for all employees
- Report notifiable incidents to SafeWork NSW immediately
- Ensure subcontractors carry their own SWMS and insurance documentation
- Maintain a site-specific WHS management plan for projects over $250,000
Failure to comply with these obligations exposes you to personal liability, SafeWork NSW investigations, and potential prosecution. WHS CPD ensures you stay current on your obligations as the law evolves — the WHS Regulation 2017 has been updated multiple times since its introduction, and builders need to keep pace with those changes.
What’s Included — WHS CPD Package
Why NSW builders choose Builders CPD Online for WHS CPD:
- 12 CPD points for $169 — your full annual requirement in one package
- 4 dedicated WHS courses covering SWMS, site hazards, workers comp, and safety management
- All 8 Fair Trading learning areas covered across 40+ online courses
- 100% online — no classroom, no travel, no fixed schedule
- Mobile and tablet friendly — complete on site, at home, or anywhere
- Instant CPD certificate on completion — ready for Service NSW licence renewal
- RTO 91528 — accredited and registered with ASQA
- Delivering CPD to NSW builders since 2004 — over 20 years
How Much Does WHS CPD Cost?
| Package | CPD Points | Covers | Price (GST incl.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Annual | 12 points | Full annual requirement — all 8 learning areas including WHS | $169 |
| Two-Year Bundle | 24 points | Two full years of CPD requirement — all 8 areas | $329 |
| Three-Year Bundle | 36 points | Three full years of CPD — covers 3-year licence holders entirely | $449 |
There are no hidden fees, no separate charges per course, and no subscription required. Your $169 covers your complete 12-point annual requirement including WHS, and your certificate is included in the price.
Common Questions About WHS CPD for NSW Builders
Is WHS CPD compulsory for every NSW builder?
Yes. WHS is one of 8 mandatory CPD learning areas under the NSW Fair Trading CPD framework. Every NSW contractor licence holder must include WHS in their annual 12-point CPD. You cannot substitute WHS for any other learning area or skip it entirely.
How many WHS CPD points do I need each year?
There is no fixed minimum number of WHS points — but WHS must be represented in your 12-point annual total. Builders CPD Online offers 4 WHS courses worth 2 points each (8 WHS points maximum). Most builders complete 2–4 WHS points per year and fill the remaining points from the other 7 learning areas.
Do I need to complete a SWMS course every year?
NSW Fair Trading does not require you to repeat the same course each year. You can choose a different WHS course annually — for example, Workplace Health and Safety in year one, Safe Work Method Statements in year two, Safety Hazards On Site in year three. This keeps your CPD varied and builds broader safety knowledge.
Can I complete WHS CPD on my phone?
Yes. Builders CPD Online is fully mobile and tablet optimised. Most builders complete their WHS courses on their phone — on lunch breaks, between site visits, or in the evening. The system saves your progress automatically so you can stop and resume whenever you like.
What happens if I miss my WHS CPD?
If your CPD is not complete when your contractor licence is due for renewal, NSW Fair Trading will not process your renewal. Your licence will lapse — meaning you cannot legally sign contracts for residential building work in NSW. There is no grace period once your licence expires. Completing your WHS CPD online is the fastest way to avoid this situation.
Does my SafeWork NSW General Induction (White Card) count as WHS CPD?
No. The White Card (General Induction for Construction Work) is a SafeWork NSW requirement, not a CPD course. It does not count toward your annual 12 CPD points. Your CPD must come from courses delivered by a registered training organisation (RTO) accredited by NSW Fair Trading — such as Builders CPD Online (RTO 91528).
How quickly can I complete my WHS CPD if my licence renewal is urgent?
If your renewal deadline is approaching, you can complete your WHS CPD courses in 1–2 days. Each WHS course takes approximately 1–2 hours to work through. Your certificate is available to download immediately once you hit 12 points — there is no waiting period or processing delay.
Complete Your NSW Builder WHS CPD Online — From $169
4 WHS courses. All 8 Fair Trading learning areas. No classroom. No fixed schedule. Instant certificate on completion.
Call 1300 730 752 or register online.