Which workhead are you applying for?
Start with the work the company actually performs. ME04 security and communications, ME05 electrical work and ME01 air-conditioning can have different personnel allowances. A common grade does not make every category interchangeable.
The ME L1 financial and project tests.
For ME01–ME13 Grade L1, review both $50,000 paid-up capital and $50,000 net worth, $300,000 of relevant track record over the preceding three years, and one qualifying T technical person. L1 does not impose the three-year personnel-experience condition used at L2. New or additional entry-grade applications can use relevant ongoing as well as completed projects.
Paid-up capital is the amount shareholders have paid for their shares. Net worth is assets minus liabilities, supported by accounts; a $50,000 bank balance alone does not establish $50,000 net worth. Management accounts can be used at L1, while L2–L6 require audited accounts. Requirements vary by workhead; do not apply an ME table to every CRS category.
The technical person.
CRS technical personnel are different from a builder’s Technical Controller. They must be full-time and employed only by the applicant. Local or PR technical personnel need evidence of at least $2,400 monthly salary. For ME workheads, relevant mechanical, electrical or electronics diploma routes and BCA-approved alternatives apply. Some workheads allow specific EMA or M&E Coordination credentials; check the actual category before hiring or enrolling in a course.
The three-year personnel experience requirement belongs to L2, not ordinary ME L1. Verify the award and workhead allowance before appointing a person.
What if the company is new?
Eligible new firms without the full entry-grade track record may be considered for probationary L1, C3 or Single Grade registration, excluding CR10A, if other requirements are met. Relevant ongoing or completed projects must start during the probation period and total at least $100,000. Successful assessment can give a further two years. Repeat-application restrictions also apply, including through certain shareholders. Probation is a route for BCA to assess, not an automatic approval.
Evidence and fees.
- Company profile, ownership and relevant business scope.
- Accounts establishing the required paid-up capital and net worth.
- Personnel qualifications, identity, employment and experience records where required.
- Contracts with relevant scope and value breakdowns, plus evidence of ongoing or completed work.
- Workhead-specific licences, certificates and other supporting documents.
The current ordinary entry-grade BCA workhead fee is $562 including GST. Golden Archway’s first L1 or Single Grade professional fee starts at $1,688 before GST; additional workheads start at $688. These costs are separate.
What does the grade let you tender for?
| Grade | CR / ME tender limit |
|---|---|
| L1 | $800,000 |
| L2 | $1.6 million |
| L3 | $5 million |
| L4 | $8 million |
| L5 | $16 million |
| L6 / Single Grade | Unlimited |
These public-sector tender limits apply from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027. They do not replace the tender’s workhead and other conditions, guarantee an award, or set the separate GB2 builder licence’s $6 million ceiling.
Separate financial, track-record and personnel evidence
For ME01–ME13 L1, check the current financial and track-record requirements against the applicant company’s records. A director’s previous project experience does not automatically become company track record. Likewise, share capital and net worth are separate measures; check the financial statements supporting both.
Prepare a contract schedule with scope, values, completion dates and supporting records. Reconcile it with the workhead applied for, rather than listing unrelated projects to reach a total. For personnel, check the qualification route for the specific workhead and grade. Do not add an L2 experience requirement to L1 or confuse the CRS technical person with a builder-licence TC.
- Prepare the applicable accounts and capital records.
- Identify completed relevant contracts within the required period.
- Verify the proposed technical person and employment evidence.
- Check any workhead-specific conditions or separate licences.
Use the workhead guide if the company’s work spans several categories.
Frequently asked questions
Are paid-up capital and net worth interchangeable?
No. Review the applicable requirement and financial records for each measure.
Official sources
Related guides
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