Skilled Migration Pathway
Project Builder Skills Assessment Australia ANZSCO 133112 Complete Guide
Australia's housing and infrastructure boom continues to drive demand for experienced Project Builders — professionals who oversee and manage construction projects from the ground up. If you are a qualified and experienced Project Builder looking to migrate to Australia, this comprehensive guide covers the VETASSESS skills assessment, eligible visa subclasses, points test, and how to build your path to permanent residency.
Navigating the visa pathway requires preparing accurate documentation and presenting construction management competencies that satisfy VETASSESS and the Department of Home Affairs.
Quick Reference Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Project Builder |
| ANZSCO Code | 133112 |
| Skills Assessing Body | VETASSESS |
| Eligible Visa Subclasses | 190, 491, 482, 186 |
| Assessment Method | VETASSESS Skills Assessment |
| Occupation Lists | STSOL / Regional Occupation List |
| Minimum Points Required | 65 points |
| English Requirement | Competent English (IELTS 6.0 each band) |
ANZSCO 133112
Who is a Project Builder?
A Project Builder organises, manages, and oversees building construction projects, coordinating all trades, contractors, and resources to deliver residential and commercial builds. Under ANZSCO 133112, core duties include:
- Managing the construction of residential, commercial, or industrial building projects
- Scheduling and coordinating subcontractors and tradespeople (plumbers, electricians, plasterers, carpenters, etc.)
- Overseeing building contracts, project budgets, and timelines
- Ensuring compliance with building codes, safety standards, and planning approvals
- Liaising with clients, architects, engineers, and local councils
- Conducting site inspections and quality control throughout construction
- Managing procurement of materials, equipment, and plant
- Handling variations, progress claims, and client communications
- Leading project teams and resolving construction problems on site
Project Builders are distinguished from site managers and foremen by their managerial responsibility for entire projects and business outcomes, rather than day-to-day site supervision alone.
Skills Assessment
Skills Assessment: VETASSESS
The designated skills assessing authority for Project Builders (ANZSCO 133112) is VETASSESS. VETASSESS assesses whether your qualifications and experience meet Australian standards for this occupation. Project Builder sits within VETASSESS's professional occupations category (as a management-level role), which applies different criteria compared to trade-level assessments.
VETASSESS Assessment Criteria
For a positive assessment under ANZSCO 133112, you generally need to demonstrate one of the following pathways:
Pathway 1 – Bachelor Degree or Higher in a Closely Related Field
Hold a qualification assessed as comparable to an Australian bachelor degree in Construction Management, Building, Engineering, or a closely related discipline AND have at least one year of post-qualification relevant employment as a Project Builder within the last five years.
Pathway 2 – Diploma Level (Closely Related)
Hold a qualification assessed as comparable to an Australian diploma in a closely related field AND have at least two years of relevant employment as a Project Builder within the last five years.
Pathway 3 – Other Qualifications or No Closely Related Qualification
Have at least five years of relevant employment as a Project Builder in the last five years demonstrating management-level responsibility.
What Constitutes Relevant Employment?
Employment evidence must demonstrate that you managed construction projects at a business or senior management level — not just supervised a construction site. Reference letters must clearly describe:
- The scale and value of projects managed
- Number of staff, subcontractors, and teams coordinated
- Budget responsibility
- Client and stakeholder liaison duties
- Contractual and compliance management
Key Documents Required
- Certified copies of qualifications and academic transcripts
- Employment reference letters on official company letterhead (detailed duties, project values, team sizes, dates, weekly hours)
- Professional CV/Resume
- Passport copy
- English translations for non-English documents
- VETASSESS application form and fee (approx. AUD $800–$950)
Processing Time: Approximately 10–14 weeks.
Eligible Visas
Visa Subclasses for Project Builders
Available visa pathways for qualified Project Builders include:
| Visa Subclass | Visa Name | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| 190 | Skilled Nominated | PR; state nominates; +5 points bonus |
| 491 | Skilled Work Regional | Provisional; regional area; pathway to PR |
| 482 | Temporary Skill Shortage | Employer sponsored temp. |
| 186 | Employer Nomination Scheme | Employer sponsored PR |
Visa 190 – Skilled Nominated Visa
The Subclass 190 is the primary PR pathway for Project Builders. You must be nominated by an Australian state or territory. State nomination adds 5 bonus points to your EOI score. Competition varies by state — some states actively nominate Project Builders due to housing construction demand, while others may not. Checking individual state occupation nomination lists frequently is essential.
Visa 491 – Skilled Work Regional Visa
The 491 visa is a strong option for Project Builders who are open to regional locations. Australia's regional areas are experiencing significant housing and infrastructure growth, particularly in Queensland, Western Australia, and South Australia. The 491 adds 15 bonus points and leads to permanent residency via the Subclass 191 after 3 years of living and working in a regional area.
Visa 482 – Temporary Skill Shortage Visa
If you have a job offer from an Australian building or construction company, the TSS 482 visa allows you to move to Australia on a temporary basis (up to 4 years). This is an attractive option when your points score is not yet competitive for the 190 visa or when you want to build Australian experience before applying for PR.
Visa 186 – Employer Nomination Scheme
The ENS 186 provides a permanent residency pathway through employer nomination. After working for an eligible employer for 3 years on a 482 visa, you can apply through the Temporary Residence Transition stream. Alternatively, qualified applicants with a willing Australian employer can apply offshore through the Direct Entry stream.
Migration Points
Points Test for Project Builders
| Factor | Points |
|---|---|
| Age 25–32 years | 30 points |
| English – Proficient | 10 points |
| English – Superior | 20 points |
| Overseas experience 8–10 yrs | 15 points |
| Australian experience 8–10 yrs | 20 points |
| Bachelor degree | 15 points |
| Diploma / trade qualification | 10 points |
| Australian study requirement | 5 points |
| Partner skills / single | Up to 10 points |
| State nomination (190) | 5 points |
| Regional nomination (491) | 15 points |
| Professional Year | 5 points |
Language Proficiency
English Requirements
Competent English (minimum for visa):
- IELTS Academic/General: 6.0 in each band
- PTE Academic: 50 in each communicative skill
- TOEFL iBT: 12/13/18/18 (L/R/W/S)
- OET: Grade B in each component
- CAE: 169 in each skill
Superior English (20 bonus points):
- IELTS: 8.0 in each band
- PTE: 79 in each skill
Builder Registration
Builder Registration in Australia
In addition to migration requirements, Project Builders in Australia must hold a valid builder's licence or registration in their state. Requirements vary by state and project type:
| State | Licensing Body | Licence Type |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | NSW Fair Trading | Builder (unlimited, medium-rise, etc.) |
| VIC | Victorian Building Authority (VBA) | Domestic / Commercial |
| QLD | QBCC (Qld Building & Construction Comm.) | Builder (open, medium, low-rise, etc.) |
| WA | Building Commission WA | Builder |
| SA | Consumer & Business Services (CBS) | Licensed Builder |
| TAS | Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (CBOS) | Builder |
Most states require relevant qualifications, experience, and financial solvency evidence for builder registration. This is separate from your visa and skills assessment. Migration Republic can advise on which state's licensing pathway best suits your background.
Salary Insights
Project Builder Salary & Job Market in Australia
Project Builders are among the highest-earning construction management professionals in Australia. Standard salaries reflect their deep project delivery and budget management responsibilities:
Project Builder – Residential (small-medium projects)
AUD $100,000–$140,000 per year
Project Builder – Commercial / Large Residential
AUD $140,000–$200,000 per year
Senior Project Builder / Construction Director
AUD $200,000–$280,000+ per year
Key Employers & Locations
Salaries vary by project scale, company size, and location. NSW, VIC, and WA typically offer the highest remuneration. Key employers include Metricon, Simonds Homes, Henley Properties, AVJennings, and hundreds of regional and boutique builders across Australia.
State Nomination
State Nomination for Project Builders
Project Builders are regularly featured on state nomination lists during periods of housing construction activity. States most likely to nominate include:
Key States & Demand
- New South Wales (NSW): Strong demand due to the NSW Housing Strategy and ongoing construction
- Victoria (VIC): Major housing growth zones across Melbourne's fringe suburbs
- Queensland (QLD): South East Queensland's construction boom driving builder demand
- Western Australia (WA): Perth housing market recovery and regional construction activity
- South Australia (SA): Affordable housing initiatives creating builder demand
- Tasmania (TAS): Regional housing projects creating opportunities
Important Notice
Occupation lists change frequently. Do not rely solely on historical data.
Always verify with the relevant state government before lodging your VETASSESS application.
Comparison
Project Builder vs Construction Project Manager
These two occupations are closely related but assessed differently and have distinct visa subclass availabilities:
| Feature | Project Builder (133112) | Construction Project Manager (133111) |
|---|---|---|
| ANZSCO Code | 133112 | 133111 |
| Primary Focus | Building construction delivery management | Broader project management |
| MLTSSL | Not listed (190/491/482/186 only) | Listed (189 eligible) |
| Builder Licence | Typically required | Not always required |
| Assessing Body | VETASSESS | VETASSESS |
If your experience spans both, a registered migration agent can advise on which ANZSCO code gives you the strongest visa outcome.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Migration Services
How Migration Republic Can Help Project Builders
Since Project Builder is not on the MLTSSL, getting your state nomination and visa strategy right is critical to your PR outcome. Migration Republic has helped experienced builders from Pakistan, India, the UK, the Philippines, and beyond successfully obtain Australian visas.
Our services for Project Builders include:
- VETASSESS application preparation and document review
- State nomination research and application (190 and 491 visas)
- EOI creation and SkillSelect points optimisation
- Employer sponsorship guidance for 482 and 186 visas
- Builder registration pathway advice by state
- Full visa lodgement and ongoing case management
- Updates on state occupation lists and nomination openings
Build your future in Australia — literally.
Interactive Tools
Calculate Points & Check Your Visa Eligibility
Use our interactive self-service migration tools to calculate your points score, test your eligibility, and discover your potential Australian visa options instantly.
PR Points Calculator
Calculate your skilled migration points score instantly to check your eligibility for 189, 190, or 491 visas.
Calculate Points ↗Visa Selection Quiz
Take our quick interactive quiz to find the most suitable Australian visa subclass for your personal profile.
Start Visa Quiz ↗Eligibility Checker
Verify if you meet the core requirements for Australian skilled, employer-sponsored, or regional visas.
Check Eligibility ↗Ready to Start Your Project Builder Visa Pathway?
Let Migration Republic guide you through every step of your visa pathway to Australia. Contact our team today for a consultation.
Book Consultation TodayDISCLAIMER: Immigration laws, occupation lists, and state nomination requirements change frequently. This content is for general informational purposes only and is not legal or migration advice. Please consult a registered migration agent for advice specific to your individual situation.
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