No. For a pool or carport installed as associated work performed alone under a separate contract, home indemnity insurance (HII) is not required. The WA Government’s guidance dated 20 May 2025 says HII is required for residential building work over $20,000 (figures checked 1 October 2026).
Does a separate contract alone settle the question?
No. The WA Government’s example covers associated work that is both performed alone and undertaken under a separate contract. It specifically includes installing a swimming pool, carport or pergola, and landscaping.
| Work situation | HII position under the WA Government guidance |
|---|---|
| Pool, carport or pergola installation, or landscaping, performed alone under a separate contract | HII is not required |
| Residential building work valued over $20,000 | HII is required |
| A builder claims an exemption under the relevant regulations but its status is uncertain | Check with Building and Energy before treating the project as exempt |
If the pool, carport or landscaping is not being performed alone, the standalone-work example does not by itself determine whether HII is required. The nature of the broader work and the contract structure then need to be considered.
What does HII protect an owner from?
HII protects owners against losing a deposit or suffering other financial loss if the builder cannot complete the work or meet a valid claim for faulty or unsatisfactory building work because of a relevant circumstance concerning the builder.
Relevant circumstances listed in the guidance include:
- an individual builder dying, disappearing or becoming insolvent;
- a non-individual builder, such as a corporation, ceasing to exist or becoming insolvent; or
- the State Administrative Tribunal cancelling a builder’s registration, or the Building Services Board not renewing it, because the builder failed to meet prescribed financial requirements.
What must a builder do when HII is required?
For residential building work valued over $20,000, the builder must:
- Obtain an HII certificate for the proposed work before claiming payment from the owner or commencing work under the contract.
- Provide a copy of the certificate to the owner.
- Provide a copy to the permit authority as part of the building approval process.
- Give the owner the required “Notice for the homeowner” before the contract is signed or a deposit is paid.
Before granting the building permit, the permit authority must check that the HII certificate has been submitted, is watermarked, was issued by QBE, and matches QBE’s Builders Warranty Insurance Certificate Register. A certificate of HII eligibility or a builder’s construction/public liability insurance certificate cannot be supplied instead of the HII certificate.
When should an uncertain exemption be referred to Building and Energy?
The standalone associated-work position should not be treated as a blanket exemption for every pool, carport or landscaping project. If a builder is claiming an exemption under the Home Building Contracts (Home Indemnity Insurance Exemptions) Regulations 2002 and there is uncertainty, ask Building and Energy whether the project is exempt.
Building and Energy can also advise about approved HII providers. For more information, call 1300 489 099 or email bcinfo@demirs.wa.gov.au.
This is general information, not financial or legal advice. Check the current regulator page and the relevant policy’s PDS before acting.
Sources
FAQ
Do I need HII for a standalone pool in WA?
No. HII is not required when pool installation is associated work performed alone under a separate contract.
What about a standalone carport, pergola or landscaping contract?
The same position applies when that work is performed alone under a separate contract. The WA Government specifically lists all of these examples.
Does a $20,000 pool or carport contract automatically need HII?
No. The price alone does not determine the classification. If the installation is associated work performed alone under a separate contract, HII is not required; the residential-building-work requirement cited in the guidance applies over $20,000.
Can construction or public liability insurance replace HII?
No. When HII is required, a construction/public liability insurance certificate or HII eligibility certificate cannot be provided instead of the HII certificate.
Who can confirm an uncertain HII exemption?
Ask Building and Energy, particularly where a builder is relying on the Home Building Contracts (Home Indemnity Insurance Exemptions) Regulations 2002 and the project’s status is unclear.
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