Builders Warranty Premium Changes Effective 1st November 2025
HBCF have advised that from 1 November 2025 they are making adjustments to the Home Building Compensation Fund (HBCF) premium rates.
What’s changing?
- H01 - New Dwelling Construction:
an increase in base rates in line with the latest assessment of sustainable rates
- H02 - Building Work to an Existing Residential Apartment Building:
there is no change in base rates
- H03 - New Residential Apartment Building Construction:
an increase in base rates in line with the latest assessment of sustainable rates
- H04 - Building Work to an Existing Dwelling:
there is no change in base rates
- H05 - Swimming Pool:
an increase in base rates in line with the latest assessment of sustainable rates
If your warranty certificate is not issued by 5:00 pm Friday, 31 October 2025, the new rates will apply. iCare will not allow any grace period to keep the existing rates.
To secure the current rates:
- Submit a full application and signed contract to our office by 4:00 pm Wednesday, 29 October 2025.
- Applications received after 4:00 pm Wednesday, 29 October cannot be guaranteed to be issued by the deadline.
To avoid disappointment and higher rates, please ensure your complete application and documents are lodged by the cut-off.
Metro Area Base Rate
| H01 - New Dwelling Construction | 0.886% | 0.966% |
| H02 - Building Work to an Existing Residential Apartment Building | 4.116% | 4.116% |
| H03 - New Residential Apartment Building Construction | 7.105% | 11.262% |
| H04 - Building Work to an Existing Dwelling | 0.927% | 0.927% |
| H05 - Swimming Pools | 0.495% | 0.497% |
Note: rates in the table above are for metro areas. A 20% discount applies for rural areas.
Rural Area Base Rate
| H01 - New Dwelling Construction | 0.709% | 0.773% |
| H02 – Building Work to an Existing Residential Apartment Building | 3.293% | 3.293% |
| H03 – New Residential Apartment Building | 5.684% | 9.010% |
| H04 – Building Work to an Existing Dwelling | 0.742% | 0.742% |
| H05 – Swimming Pools | 0.396% | 0.398% |
Note: rates in the table above are for rural areas. A 20% discount applies.
About premium adjustments
HBCF regularly review premium rates to ensure the HBCF scheme remains financially sustainable and can continue to protect NSW homeowners.
All changes to premium rates are consistent with the State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA) premium principles that include being fair, reflective of risk, affordable and financially viable.
You can read more about the premium rate adjustment on the icare website news & stories article, HBCF Premium filing 2025.