Bricklayers Insurance

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  • Coverage Options for Residential, Commercial and Subcontracting Work
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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.

Why Choose Our Contractor Insurance Experts?

  • 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.
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Bricklayers Insurance Costs

Pricing for bricklayers insurance is determined by the specific risks of your business. Premiums are influenced by your scale of operation, the materials you use, and the level of cover you choose to help protect your assets and liability.

What Influences the Premium?

Insurers evaluate several factors to determine the cost of cover for a bricklaying business. Understanding these can help you compare options effectively.

Business Turnover The annual revenue of your bricklaying business can influence the premium, as higher turnover often reflects a larger scale of work.
Staff and Subcontractors The number of employees or subcontractors you engage can affect the risk profile and the resulting cost of cover.
Value of Tools The total replacement value of your brick saws, mixers, and scaffolding can impact the premium for General Property cover.
Work Location Where you perform your bricklaying—whether residential, commercial, or on high-risk sites—may influence how insurers price your policy.
Claims History A record of previous insurance claims may be used by insurers to assess future risk and determine your premium.
Chosen Limit of Cover Higher limits for Public Liability (e.g., $20 million vs $5 million) will typically result in a higher premium.

Standard Cover Options

Bricklayers may need different public liability limits depending on contract requirements, work type, project size and site access conditions. The examples below are general only and do not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs.

$5 Million Public Liability

This level may be considered by sole traders or small operators where a lower liability limit is accepted by the client, builder or site principal.

  • Commonly considered for smaller domestic jobs
  • May be accepted for some private residential work
  • Subject to contract and site requirements

$20 Million Public Liability

This level is often requested for larger commercial projects, government work, infrastructure projects or higher-value contracts.

  • Often required for larger sites
  • May be requested by head contractors or government clients
  • May be considered where contracts specify higher liability limits
General Advice

When selecting cover, consider the replacement value of your portable assets and any specific liability limits required by your head contractors. We can provide general information to help you compare options.

All insurance cover is subject to policy terms, conditions, and insurer acceptance. Premiums may vary based on individual business circumstances.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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About Contractor Cover

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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.

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Meet Our Contractor Insurance Experts

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. 

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Insurance Broking Team Leader

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

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