Bricklayers Insurance

  • Insurance for bricklayers’ real risks and needs
  • Flexible cover options tailored for bricklaying contractors
  • Compare quotes fast and get instant documents once cover is arranged
Female bricklayer in hi vis on a site

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

Male bricklayer laying a brick

What Is Bricklayers Insurance?

Bricklayers insurance is designed to help protect bricklaying contractors from the unique risks associated with their work. Depending on the policy, it can cover:

  • Tools and equipment used on-site (e.g. trowels, levels, power tools)
  • Portable machinery such as mixers, compressors, and scaffolding
  • Safety gear, including helmets, harnesses, and protective clothing
  • Materials you transport and use on-site, such as bricks, mortar, and cement
  • Legal fees and compensation if a third party is injured or property is damaged due to your work

It can help protect your business, livelihood, and finances, helping to keep you covered when accidents happen on the job.

What Insurance Does a Bricklayer Need?

Bricklayers manage risks involving heavy materials and structural works. Below are the types of cover most commonly taken out by bricklaying contractors:

Public Liability

May cover costs from third party injuries or property damage caused by your work, such as a wall collapse or falling materials.

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 you from working. This often suits sole traders without sick leave access.

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.

Why Choose Our Contractor Insurance Experts?

  • Specialist contractor insurance: Cover tailored specifically 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.
  • Only pay for what you need: Flexible options designed to suit sole traders and small teams.
  • All policies in one place: 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 often choose cover levels based on site requirements or the value of their business assets. These options may suit different business sizes.

$5 Million Liability

May suit sole traders working primarily on small residential repairs or private domestic projects.

  • Basic liability protection
  • Suits small scale jobs
  • Our entry-level option

$20 Million Liability

Often required for large commercial projects, government contracts, or major infrastructure sites.

  • Maximum liability limit
  • Commercial site compliant
  • For larger contracting firms
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.

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 Tailored 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 understand that contractors require targeted business insurance which offers both value for money and optimal cover. With that in mind, we’ve packaged the most common insurances the average contractor needs into a single policy. This means that you don’t need to waste your time contending with multiple policies – everything you need is included in one convenient package.

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

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. 

John Elliott

CEO

Rachael Milne

Chief Financial Officer

Kristofer Wright

Head of Technology

Tim Stingers

Insurance Broking Team Leader

FAQs

It refers to a range of covers designed to protect masonry contractors from common risks, including Public Liability, Tools Insurance, and Personal Accident cover.

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.