Bricklayers Insurance

  • Insurance built for bricklayers, blocklayers and masonry contractors
  • Coverage options for residential, commercial and subcontracting Work
  • Compare quotes fast and get instant documents once cover is arranged
Male bricklayer laying a brick

Contractor Specialists

20+ years of experience working with contractors

270k Businesses Covered

Trusted by businesses Australia-wide

All Policies, One Place

Cover from public liability to general property and beyond

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And get documents fast once cover is arranged

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What Is Bricklayers Insurance?

Bricklayers insurance is a general term for a range of insurance products that may be relevant to brickies, bricklaying contractors and masonry businesses.

Depending on the cover arranged, insurance may assist with risks such as:

  • Third-party injury or property damage claims arising from bricklaying, blockwork or masonry jobs.
  • Loss, theft or damage involving bricklaying tools and gear, such as trowels, levels, mixers and saws.
  • Damage to portable trade equipment while being used, stored, loaded or transported between sites.
  • Certain legal costs associated with covered claims.
  • Insurance requirements for building sites, subcontractor agreements, builder contracts or site inductions.

The cover available will depend on the policies selected, your business activities, insurer acceptance, policy limits, conditions and exclusions.

What Insurance Does a Bricklayer Need?

Bricklayers manage risks involving heavy materials and structural works. Below are examples of cover types bricklaying contractors commonly consider, depending on their work, contracts and business structure:

Public Liability

May cover claims for third-party injury or property damage caused by your bricklaying work, such as falling bricks, damaged property, or injury to a passer-by.

General Property

Can help protect your brick saws, mixers, and hand tools against theft or accidental damage on site or while in transit.

Personal Accident

May provide income support if an injury or illness prevents This may be considered by sole traders who do not have access to paid sick leave.

Professional Indemnity

Can help protect your business if advice or specifications you provide result in a financial loss for a client.

Workers Compensation

May be required if you have employees. It can help cover wages and medical costs if a staff member is injured at work.

Tax Audit Insurance

Can help cover professional fees from your accountant if your bricklaying business is selected for a random audit by the ATO.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this section is intended as a general overview. Coverage options and limits may vary depending on your policy, location, and insurer.

How Much Does Bricklayers Insurance Cost?

The cost of bricklayers insurance varies depending on the type of bricklaying work you do, your turnover, who works with you, the sites you attend, and the cover options selected. There is no single price. Insurers assess your business risk before calculating your premium.

What Affects Your Premium

Several factors can influence the cost of bricklayers insurance. These may include the size of your jobs, the type of sites you work on, and the cover limits requested.

Type of Bricklaying Work Residential brickwork, commercial projects, blockwork, repairs, retaining walls, and renovations may carry different risk levels.
Annual Turnover Higher turnover can indicate more jobs, more site activity, and greater exposure to possible claims.
Employees & Subcontractors Using labourers, apprentices, or subcontractors may change your risk profile and affect the premium.
Cover Types & Limits Public liability limits, tools cover, personal accident cover, and other selected options can influence the final cost.
Claims History Previous claims may affect pricing as insurers assess the likelihood and cost of future claims.

Comparing Cover Options

Bricklayers often compare different cover limits and policy types depending on their contracts, site access requirements, tools, and business structure.

Public Liability
$5M $10M $20M

Common Add-On Cover Options
Tools Cover Personal Accident Plant & Equipment

When comparing your options, consider:
  • Builder, principal contractor, or site entry requirements
  • The size and value of the projects you work on
  • Whether you work on homes, commercial sites, or multi-trade projects
  • The value of your tools, mixers, saws, and portable equipment
  • Whether you employ staff, use labourers, or engage subcontractors

Premiums are subject to individual underwriting, insurer acceptance, and policy terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions.

Why Choose Contractor Cover?

  • Specialist contractor insurance: Cover options for contractors, subcontractors, and small businesses.
  • Fast quotes and instant documents: Get covered online in minutes and receive proof of insurance immediately, subject to policy terms.
  • Flexible Cover for Your Trade: Choose from available options for sole traders and small teams, based on your business activities and insurer criteria.
  • All policies in one place: Access a range of cover options in one place, including Public Liability, Tools Cover, Professional Indemnity, Personal Accident and more.
Contractor Cover insurance broker with a man in hi vis

State-by-State Insurance Requirements for Bricklayers

While Public Liability insurance is a standard requirement for site access across Australia, the legal requirements vary depending on which state you are working in and your registration category.
Note: Requirements vary by state or territory, licence category, contract role, project type and contract value. Bricklayers working as subcontractors may have different obligations from builders, head contractors or principal contractors. This information is general only and should not be relied on as legal, licensing or compliance advice. Always check your licence conditions, contract requirements and the relevant state or territory regulator before relying on this information.

Residential bricklaying work often requires insurance based on project value and whether building approval is needed. For projects valued at $12,000 or more, builders must provide residential building insurance or a fidelity certificate.

For residential work over $20,000, Home Building Compensation (HBC) cover is generally required when you are the principal contractor. This is a legal requirement under the Home Building Act 1989 for licensed tradespeople.

Residential building work is covered under the Home Building Certification Fund for prescribed residential work. This scheme acts as a safety net for homeowners regarding incomplete or defective work on residential properties.

Many bricklaying jobs fall under the QBCC Home Warranty Scheme. For residential work over $3,300, insurance is generally required. The premium must be paid by the licensed contractor before work commences.

Building Indemnity Insurance (BII) is generally required for residential bricklaying work above $20,000 that requires council approval. It protects homeowners if a contractor cannot complete the project or rectify defects.

Tasmania currently utilizes a voluntary residential building insurance scheme. However, licensed contractors are still required to hold Public Liability and Contract Works insurance when operating under specific building practitioner categories.

Domestic Building Insurance (DBI) is generally required for residential bricklaying work over $16,000. The Victorian Building Authority (VBA) requires evidence of this cover before a builder can take a deposit or start work.

Home Indemnity Insurance (HII) is generally required for residential building work over $20,000. This insurance must be taken out by the builder in the name of the homeowner before any payment is accepted or work begins.

How to Get Bricklayers Insurance

Arranging cover for your bricklaying business is a straightforward process. Get a quote and receive your insurance documents in minutes.

1

Provide Business Details

Complete our occupation selection form with details about your bricklaying work, including your annual turnover and the number of staff you employ.

2

Select Your Cover

Compare options for Public Liability, tool cover, and Personal Accident insurance. Choose the limits that may suit your specific contract requirements.

3

Receive Your Certificate

Confirm your details and complete the payment. Your certificate of currency and policy documents are issued instantly via email.

Fast online quotes Instant certificates Australian based support Coverage for trades

Cover is subject to policy terms, conditions, exclusions, and insurer acceptance.

About Contractor Cover

Contractor Cover is the one-stop insurance shop for contractors across Australia.

We help contractors, subcontractors and small businesses compare commonly arranged business insurance options in one place. Choose from available cover types and limits based on your trade, business activities and contract requirements, subject to insurer acceptance, policy terms, conditions, limits and exclusions.

Call our team today at 1300 438 268 for more information or fill in our easy online quote form.

270k+ businesses covered

20+ years of experience

Contractor insurance specialists

Contractor Cover broker shaking a contractor's hand

Meet the Contractor Cover Team

At Contractor Cover, we’re proud to have a dedicated executive team that brings decades of experience, strategic insight, and an unwavering commitment to supporting Australian contractors.

John Elliott

John Elliott

Chief Executive Officer
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John Elliott is the founder of Elliott Insurance Brokers, the business behind Contractor Cover. With nearly 20 years of insurance industry experience, John helps guide the business with a focus on practical cover, reliable service and clear support for Australian contractors.

Rachael Milne

Rachael Milne

Chief Financial Officer
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Rachael Milne joined Elliott Insurance Brokers in 2012 and supports the systems, planning and financial structure behind Contractor Cover. Her work helps the business operate smoothly while supporting clear, reliable insurance services for contractors Australia-wide.

Kris Wright

Kris Wright

Head of Technology
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Kris Wright supports Contractor Cover through technology, systems and process improvement. His work helps keep the online quote experience simple, organised and efficient, making it easier for contractors to compare cover options and access documents quickly.

Tim Stingers

Tim Stingers

Insurance Broking Team Leader
View bio

Tim Stingers brings more than a decade of insurance experience, with a strong focus on trades and construction. His knowledge helps support contractor-focused cover options for tradies, subcontractors and small construction businesses.

FAQs

While there is no single national law, most builders and commercial clients require Public Liability insurance before you can enter a site.

Self-employed bricklayers are responsible for their own cover, whereas employees are typically covered under an employer’s policy and Workers Compensation.

Coverage for silica-related claims depends on the specific policy. It is vital for bricklayers to review exclusions regarding dust and respiratory risks.

It is important to check if you are covered for claims that arise after the job is finished, such as a wall failure that causes injury or damage later on.

Most policies cover sudden accidental damage rather than the cost of simply fixing a poorly laid wall. You should clarify with your broker where the line is drawn.

Many bricklayers bundle Tools Insurance (for theft and accidental damage) and Commercial Motor Insurance (for their ute or van) with their liability policy.

If you employ people, Workers’ Compensation is a legal requirement. You should also check if your policy covers you for the vicarious liability of subcontractors working under you.

A Certificate of Currency is proof that your insurance policy is current and active. Builders and commercial clients often require this document before you start work.

You should review your insurance at least once a year, or any time your business changes. A quick review helps ensure you remain properly protected.

Common triggers include:

  • Taking on larger or more complex jobs
  • Hiring or removing workers
  • Increasing your turnover
  • Buying new tools or equipment
  • Expanding into commercial work

We take your privacy seriously. Your information is stored securely and used only to provide insurance services, issue documents, manage claims, or support your policy. You may view a copy of our full privacy policy at any time, and we are happy to explain how your information is handled.

Have a question?

To get started with your business insurance, get an instant online quote for your occupation. If you can’t see your occupation or if you require specialist cover, contact our team today.

  • Quick quotes
  • Upgrading (and downgrading) your policies
  • Updating your contact and disclosure information
  • Cancellations
  • General advice & claims

Office Hours

Mon - Fri
8:30am - 7:00pm WST
Sat
9:00am - 5:00pm WST

Email Us

info@contractorcover.com.au

Call us

1300 438 268

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