How to Check a South Australian Building Indemnity Insurance Certificate in 2026

Figures checked 1 October 2026: the South Australian Government Financing Authority (SAFA) lists policy limits of $250,000 for QBE policies issued from 1 October 2025 onwards, Assetinsure policies issued from 10 November 2025 onwards, and AB Phillips policies for pools, spas and landscaping issued from 13 October 2025 onwards. Check the certificate against the row matching its insurer and issue date, then use the QBE or Assetinsure online register linked from SAFA or validate an AB Phillips certificate by calling 1300 242 136.

Does the work meet the South Australian BII threshold?

Under the Building Work Contractors Act 1995 (SA) and its Regulations, a builder carrying out building work that requires development approval must take out building indemnity insurance for the homeowner when the work reaches the value threshold. The policy must be arranged for each contract entered into.

SAFA sets out the following dated thresholds:

The work must both require development approval and meet the applicable value threshold.

What does the policy protect against?

A BII policy is issued in the homeowner’s name. It protects against financial losses, up to the maximum policy limit, if the builder dies, disappears or becomes insolvent before the building work is completed or before defective work can be rectified.

Claims for defective building work can be made up to five years after the building work has been finished. The policy limit is only the maximum stated for that policy; the cover and exclusions must be checked in the policy’s Product Disclosure Statement (PDS).

Which insurer details should be matched to the certificate?

SAFA says its insurance division has underwritten BII through reinsurance agreements with private-sector insurers since 2013 because the cover was unavailable at scale in the private sector. Its listed arrangements and products differ:

Match the exact insurer and product named in the certificate rather than assuming that all options form part of the same SAFA arrangement.

What policy limit matches the issue date?

The applicable limit depends on when the policy was issued:

Use the policy’s issue date, not the construction completion date, to select the relevant row. An older certificate may correctly show a lower limit if it was issued during an earlier period.

Where can each certificate be checked?

First confirm the homeowner’s name, named insurer, product and issue date against the policy documents and the applicable limit above. Then use the relevant validation route:

1. QBE: Use the QBE Insurance (Australia) Limited Insurance Certificate Register linked from SAFA’s BII page. The listed QBE contact is 1300 790 723.
2. Assetinsure: Use Assetinsure online Certificate Validation, linked from SAFA’s BII page. The listed Assetinsure contact is (02) 9251 8055.
3. AB Phillips: SAFA lists validation by phone rather than an online certificate register. Call 1300 242 136 and ask for the certificate to be validated.

If the insurer, issue date, limit or sector does not match the certificate, contact the named insurer before relying on it and ask for confirmation and the applicable PDS.

Can a builder arrange BII through any of the three insurers?

A builder seeking BII eligibility must arrange it through an insurance broker, who can facilitate eligibility with QBE, Assetinsure or AB Phillips. Alternatively, the builder can approach Assetinsure or AB Phillips directly.

A homeowner who thinks they may have a claim should contact the named insurer first.

What should readers check before relying on the certificate?

Consumer and Business Services is South Australia’s building licence regulator. Check its current regulator information and read the policy’s PDS, particularly when checking an older policy, an AB Phillips certificate or work outside the pool, spa and landscaping sectors.

This is general information, not financial or legal advice.

Sources

• Building Indemnity Insurance | South Australian Government Financing Authority

FAQ

Is the South Australian BII threshold $12,000 or $20,000 in 2026?

The threshold was $12,000 or more until 10 November 2025. From 10 November 2025, the Regulations threshold is $20,000, provided the building work also requires development approval.

What is the latest listed policy limit for QBE, Assetinsure and AB Phillips?

The latest issue periods listed by SAFA carry a $250,000 limit: QBE from 1 October 2025 onwards, Assetinsure from 10 November 2025 onwards, and AB Phillips pool, spa and landscaping policies from 13 October 2025 onwards.

How is an AB Phillips certificate validated?

SAFA says AB Phillips certificates can be validated by calling 1300 242 136. Confirm the policy issue date and confirm that the work falls within the pool, spa or landscaping sector covered by that product.

Who should a homeowner contact about a possible claim?

Contact the insurer named on the policy first. Claims for defective building work can be made up to five years after the building work has been finished.