The graph below shows the number of registered building contracting companies which became insolvent in WA since 2017–18 as well as the broader construction data captured by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).

ASIC data includes a broad range of industries that are associated with building and construction and not all of them are registered building contractors. For example, the following industries are captured under ASIC’s construction data: Heavy and civil engineering construction; land development and site preparation services; building structure services; building installation services; building completion services; and other construction services as well as residential and non-residential construction.

The requirement to hold a WA building contractor registration that entitles an individual, partnership or company to enter into contracts to deliver building services is a small sub-set of the broader ASIC construction industries. In the six years to 30 June 2023, the number of insolvencies of WA registered building contractors was less than 20 per cent of the number captured under ASIC’s construction data, and represents less than one per cent of the total number of registered building contractors in WA.

Note: It is important to note that prior to 2021–22, Building and Energy did not record commercial builder insolvencies due to these events having no impact on the home indemnity insurance (HII) scheme.