HBCF Premium Guidelines
We use risk-based pricing, meaning builders will pay a premium based on their insurance risk profile.
- the type of project
- the total contract value for the project
- your individual loading or discount rate
- the location of the project.
Each builder is allocated an individual loading or discount to the base premium.
The loading, or discount, is based on each builder's insurance risk profile as assessed using actuarial guidelines. We call these risk factors and they can impact the final premium price as either a discount or loading.
You can read about risk factors in the link below, and you can visit our Premium Calculator to estimate the premium for a residential building project.
Find out more about risk factors
Premium rate changes from 1 November 2025
What's changed?
- H01 – an increase in base rates in line with the latest assessment of sustainable rates
- H02 – there is no change in base rates
- H03 – an increase in base rates in line with the latest assessment of sustainable rates
- H04 – there is no change in base rates
- H05 – an increase in base rates in line with the latest assessment of sustainable rates
In line with Home Building Regulation 2014, there is a maximum liability cap of $340,000 per certificate to prevent the cost of insurance exceeding the risk amount insured.
If you have any questions on the new base rates, please contact your Broker to discuss.
Premium rates for H0 Construction Types effective from 1 November 2025
Metro Base Rate
| Construction code | Base rate excluding GST and stamp duty | Base rate including GST and stamp duty |
|---|---|---|
| H01 – New Dwelling Construction | 0.966% | 1.158% |
| H02 – Building Work to an Existing Residential Apartment Building | 4.116% | 4.935% |
| H03 – New Residential Apartment Building Construction | 11.262% | 13.503% |
|
H04 – Building Work to an Existing Dwelling |
0.927% | 1.111% |
|
H05 – Swimming Pools |
0.497% | 0.596% |
Rural Base Rate
| Construction code | Base rate excluding GST and stamp duty | Base rate including GST and stamp duty |
|---|---|---|
| H01 – New Dwelling Construction | 0.773% | 0.927% |
| H02 – Building Work to an Existing Residential Apartment Building | 3.293% | 3.948% |
| H03 – New Residential Apartment Building Construction | 9.010% | 10.803% |
|
H04 – Building Work to an Existing Dwelling |
0.742% | 0.889% |
|
H05 – Swimming Pools |
0.398% | 0.477% |
Note: A 20% discount applies to building projects in rural areas.
HBCF Premiums - Postcode Guide
Metropolitan (Sydney, Newcastle, Central Coast)
| From | To |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 2309 |
| 2315 | 2327 |
| 2555 | 2574 |
| 2745 | 2786 |
Regional
| From | To |
|---|---|
| 2311 | 2312 |
| 2328 | 2551 |
| 2575 | 2594 |
| 2618 | 2739 |
| 2787 | 2898 |
| Other - 2611, 3644, 3691, 3707, 4377, 4380, 4383, 4385 |
|
HBCF Policy – distributors' maximum fees and charges
All quoted Policy Issuing Fees and charges in this table are the maximum policy issuing fees that a broker (distributor) may charge for that construction type and exclude GST. Brokers will charge a minimum fee per construction type and HBCF recommend builders contact their brokers to request their complete fees and charges schedule.
Note: Brokers (distributors) charge per policy or per certificate as listed below. Multiple dwelling projects will have one policy but may have a certificate of insurance for each dwelling within that project, which is calculated on the value of the contract/number of dwellings. Contact your broker for details.
| Distributor | Policy Cancellation Fee | Policy Amendments Fee | Policy Issuing Fee – New Dwelling Construction H01 | Policy Issuing Fee – Building Work to an Existing Residential Apartment Building H02 | Policy Issuing Fee – New Residential Apartment Building Construction H03 | Policy Issuing Fee – Building Work to an Existing Dwelling H04 | Policy Issuing Fee – Swimming Pools H05 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coverforce Insurance Broking Pty Ltd |
No Charge Broker Policy Issuing Fee retained (not refunded) |
20% of base premium | 20% of base premium per policy | 20% of base premium per policy | 20% of base premium per policy | 20% of base premium per policy | 20% of base premium per policy |
| Finsura & HBW Solutions |
$0 per policy Broker Policy Issuing Fee retained (not refunded) |
7.5% of the base premium if amendment affects (+,-) base premium | 12.5% of the base premium per policy |
10% of the base premium per policy | 10% of the base premium per policy |
12.5% of the base premium per policy |
12.5% of the base premium per policy |
| HIA Insurance Services |
$75 per certificate Broker policy Issuing Fee and additional application fee retained (not refunded) |
$75 | 16% of the base premium plus an application fee of up to $200 | 3% of the base premium per certificate plus an additional application fee of up to $200 | 5% of the base premium plus an additional application fee of up to $200 | 19% of the base premium plus an additional application fee of up to $200 | 29% of the base premium per policy plus an additional application fee of up to $200 |
| Insurance House Group |
No charge Broker Policy Issuing fee retained (not refunded) |
$100 per policy | $750 per certificate | $5,000 per policy | $5,000 per policy | $750 per certificate | $750 per certificate |
| Master Builders Queensland |
$125 Broker Policy Issuing Fee partially refunded (retaining up to $125) |
% if amendment affects (+,-) base premium | 12% of the base premium plus a service fee of $95 | 7% of the base premium plus a service fee of $95 capped at $5,000 |
7% of the base premium plus a service fee of $95 capped at $5,000 |
15% of the base premium plus a service fee of $95 per policy |
22% of the base premium plus a service fee of $95 per policy |
| Master Builders Insurance Brokers |
$50 per certificate Broker Policy Issuing Fee retained (not refunded) |
20% of the increase in HBCF base premium | 15% HBCF base premium per certificate | 5% HBCF base premium per certificate |
5% HBCF base premium per certificate |
20% HBCF base premium per certificate |
20% HBCF base premium |
| SHC Insurance Brokers |
$50 per policy Broker Policy Issuing Fee retained (not refunded) |
Variations that result in a premium increase will attract a broker fee of 16% on base premium | 16% of the base premium plus an administration fee of $190 per certificate | 12% of the base premium plus an administration fee of $190 per policy | $7,000 per policy | 16% of the base premium plus an administration fee of $190 per certificate | 16% of the base premium plus an administrative fee of $190 per certificate |
| The Builders Insurance Broker |
$150 per certificate Broker Policy Issuing Fee retained (not refunded) |
10% of base premium with a minimum of $150 per certificate if the amendment affects (+,-) base premium | $2,750 per certificate | $550 per certificate | $1,100 per certificate | $2,750 per certificate | $550 per policy |
| Willis Towers Watson |
$250 per certificate Broker Policy Issuing Fee retained (not refunded) |
$250 per certificate | $2,500 per certificate | $1,000 per certificate | $1,000 per certificate | $2,500 per certificate | $500 per certificate |
Minimum Premiums
A minimum premium of $200 applies to all projects. 10 per cent GST and a 9 per cent stamp duty are applicable to HBCF premiums. Where the contract price for a residential construction project is not known, the reasonable market cost of the labour and materials involved in the project is used to calculate the applicable premium.
