Current government reform stream
Victoria’s current trades registration and licensing work is progressing carpentry first, with waterproofing and welding also identified within the funded reform program.
The Advanced Residential Trades Framework is a staged reform concept. It does not claim government endorsement and is presented for policy discussion.
Staged reform concept · Victoria
Advanced Residential Trades Framework
A practical sequencing framework to support clearer residential trade pathways while protecting consumers and preserving domestic builder responsibility.
This framework aligns with Victoria’s current work on carpenter registration and licensing, while supporting evidence-led consideration of additional capability progression. Waterproofing and welding are also identified within the funded trades reform program, and the Registered Residential Carpenter (RRC) pathway remains one research model rather than a predetermined statutory starting point.
Framework overview
How the staged pathway is structured
The framework is intentionally staged to allow evidence-led evaluation before any broader pathway discussions.
Review and evidence
Baseline implementation evidence, safeguards, compliance behaviour and consumer impacts should be assessed before any additional capability pathway decisions.
Future investigations
Other trade or specialist capability pathways may be investigated in future policy work, subject to risk, evidence, accountability and consumer benefit.
Current reform baseline
Carpentry is being progressed first in the funded reform program
Victoria’s current funded trades registration and licensing work identifies carpentry, waterproofing and welding. Carpentry is being progressed first, while the future regulatory settings for waterproofing and welding remain separate matters for government development and consultation.
This framework does not treat any additional trade as the next predetermined reform priority beyond the currently identified government program.
Current funded program
Current funded trades reform program
Carpentry
Carpentry is the first trade currently being progressed within Victoria’s funded registration and licensing reform work.
Waterproofing
Waterproofing is also identified within the funded reform program, with implementation settings remaining for government development and consultation.
Welding
Welding is identified within the funded reform program, with future regulatory settings to be determined through government processes.
Other residential trade or specialist capability pathways may still warrant future investigation, but this framework does not treat any additional trade as the next predetermined reform priority. Further work should follow evidence of risk, capability, accountability and consumer benefit.
High-risk category
Waterproofing remains a distinct high-risk assurance matter
Waterproofing is identified within Victoria’s funded trades reform program and is also treated here as a distinct high-risk category due to concealed-work risk, defect consequences and downstream consumer harm. Inclusion in the funded program does not mean it should be folded into carpenter licensing, and any waterproofing pathway may require dedicated assurance settings.
Waterproofing should be addressed through a separate risk-based assurance model, not merged into a general advanced trades pathway.
Consultation
Contribute Practical Evidence
This framework relies on practical, on-the-ground evidence from working tradespeople, builders, consumers and industry professionals. If you have relevant experience with trade pathway reform, regulation or residential renovation work, we want to hear from you.
When contacting us, please include information about:
- Your trade or professional role
- Your qualification and registration status
- Your years of relevant experience
- An example of hidden or changed project conditions you have encountered
- The original expected scope or value of that project
- The final scope or value after conditions changed
- Current regulatory difficulties you face
- What work you believe should remain builder-controlled
- What evidence you believe should prove advanced practitioner competence
- Whether you would be willing to provide a confidential interview or case study