Building in Perth After 1 July? Check the CTF Levy Before Your Permit

What changes are being made to the CTF levy from 1 July 2026?

The main statewide change is the threshold. For construction commencing on or after 1 July 2026, the CTF levy applies to construction work valued at more than $100,000. Before that date, the threshold was more than $20,000. The levy rate remains 0.2 per cent of the value of construction work, including GST.

Build Insight WA's view: for many smaller works, the higher threshold removes a levy that previously applied. For larger residential, commercial and development projects, the levy remains part of the pre-construction process.

Who actually has to pay the levy?

The CTF describes the liable party as the project owner. Depending on the project, that can include the person or entity holding the building permit, the person or entity issuing the contract for the work, or the person receiving the direct benefit of the construction work. The levy can also apply to work where a building permit is not required.

Build Insight WA's view: do not assume the permit process itself will automatically deal with the levy. Establish who is responsible for it and confirm that it has actually been paid.

Why can a small administrative step affect your building program?

Because building programs depend on a chain of approvals, payments, documents and contractors. Under the Building Act 2011 (WA), permit authorities must ensure the applicable levy has been paid before the building permit is approved. If a required payment has been overlooked, the issue is not just the levy itself. It is the potential delay while the missing step is corrected.

Build Insight WA's view: the small administrative items are often easy to dismiss because they are not design or construction decisions. But they still sit on the critical path to getting a project started.

What if your project is $100,000 or less?

If construction commences on or after 1 July 2026 and the work is valued at $100,000 or less, no CTF levy is payable under the new threshold. The Construction Training Fund also notes that some people who paid a levy for work at or below $100,000 that commenced on or after 1 July may be eligible for a refund, subject to evidence of the commencement date.

Build Insight WA’s view:the transition date matters. If your application, payment and actual construction start sit around 1 July, confirm which threshold applies rather than assuming.

What should you check before lodging or starting work?

• What is the estimated value of the construction work, including GST?
• When is construction expected to commence?
• Does the CTF levy apply under the new $100,000 threshold?
• Who is responsible for paying it?
• If the project is within the City of Perth, has payment been made directly through the CTF process rather than assumed to be collected by the City?
• Has evidence of payment been retained for the permit process?

If someone else is managing the permit on your behalf, these are still useful questions to ask.

Build Insight WA’s view:if a builder, surveyor or consultant normally handles permit administration for you, confirm that their process has been updated rather than assuming the old council payment step still applies

Why Build Insight WA pays attention to changes like this

A building project is not only plans, selections and site work. It is also approvals, conditions, payments, contracts, deadlines and handovers between different parties. Individually, those administrative items can look minor. Collectively, they influence whether the project keeps moving. That is why our role is not limited to the big decisions. Part of independent client-side support is understanding the smaller requirements that can become bigger problems if they are missed.