2012-Oct 12: Restricted building work

Visa Pak 86 - Assessing applications with occupations that align with the Licenced Building Practitioner Scheme (LBP) and Restricted Building Legislation.

Visa Paks

12 October 2012

Restricted building work

From 1 March 2012, occupations that align with the Licenced Building Practitioner (LBP) Scheme and Restricted Building Legislation require additional information and clarification by employers and for applicants to ensure that they can be work ready when they arrive in New Zealand.

These occupations include: Carpenters, Roofers, Bricklayers and Block layers, External Plasterers and Foundations.

Restricted Building Work (RBW) can only be undertaken by building practitioners who have an appropriate licence or who are supervised by someone with an appropriate licence. RBW is work which is critical to the integrity of a building. It makes sure the building is structurally sound and weather tight.

Branches should be aware of the Licenced Building Practitioner Scheme and Restricted Building Legislation and this replaces previous advice on this topic.

When assessing an application, Immigration Officers should be considering the following:

  •  Evidence that the applicants are LBP who are licensed to do RBW within the scope of the correct Licence Class, OR
  • The work will be done under the supervision of a LBP who is licensed to supervise RBW work done within the scope of a specific Licence Class OR
  • That the duties of the workers you wish to bring to New Zealand will not include RBW.

It is possible to be granted a visa in one of the listed occupations without having a licence as you can still practice in that occupation but are not able to undertake restricted work.

See Building and Housing's website for further information on the individual licence classes.