What are Bricklayers covered for?
Your VIZ policy covers work that’s reasonably expected of your trade. To keep this clear, we use the Australian Bureau of Statistics occupation definitions as a guide - if an activity is listed under your trade, it falls within your cover.
VIZ covers bricklayers for the full scope of activities defined under the OSCA bricklayer classification (code 371131), including:
• Setting out blockwork and laying building blocks in rows, designs, and shapes
• Cutting and shaping blocks to fit irregular spaces
• Sealing foundations and spreading mortar as base and binder
• Installing lintels and flashings to openings
• Repairs and maintenance of bricks, cement blocks, and related structures
• Preparing base and bedding courses, and laying segmental paving
Work that’s not on the list isn’t automatically excluded - it just needs to be reasonably expected of someone in your trade.
Incidental work is also covered. If you need to do some basic excavation to prepare footings before laying, that’s part of completing the bricklaying job - not a separate trade.
If you carry out other trades alongside bricklaying, you can add a second occupation to your VIZ policy and cover both under one premium. Stonemasonry is a separate occupation on VIZ and is covered at the same price as bricklaying - so if you do both, you’re not paying extra for the second trade.
Residential and commercial work
Bricklayers with VIZ are covered for both residential and commercial work - residential meaning houses, units and apartments, commercial meaning business premises like shops, offices and warehouses. This includes working directly for a homeowner, subcontracting to a builder, or doing a job for a property manager.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does VIZ only cover simple or small bricklaying work?
No. VIZ covers a broad scope of bricklaying work, starting with the OSCA bricklayer definition - retaining walls, structural and load-bearing brickwork, and block work. VIZ covers the application of these activities on simple domestic dwellings, multi-storey residential buildings, and commercial builds. If the activities are reasonably expected for a bricklayer to be doing, it’s covered.
Does bricklayer insurance cover structural and load-bearing brickwork?
Structural and load-bearing brickwork are covered under a VIZ bricklayer policy. VIZ covers sole traders and small bricklaying businesses for the activities listed under the OSCA bricklayer definition and work reasonably expected by a bricklayer - structural work is included in the OSCA definition.
Does bricklayer insurance cover multi-storey residential work?
Multi-storey residential work is covered under a VIZ bricklayer policy just the same as single storey work. There’s no height restriction specific to bricklayers.
I do bricklaying and stonemasonry - do I need two separate policies?
VIZ covers both bricklaying and stonemasonry as separate occupations, and you can add both to a single policy under one premium. Stonemasonry is priced the same as bricklaying, so you’re not paying any extra to add it. VIZ allows up to 2 occupations on one policy.
Does VIZ cover bricklayers working on commercial sites?
Yes, VIZ covers bricklayers on residential and commercial sites. Many builders and commercial sites require bricklayers to have $10M or $20M public liability as a minimum - both are available with VIZ.
What happens if I use subcontractors on a job?
As a general rule in the Australian insurance industry, you can’t insure things that aren't yours, and this applies to businesses.If a labourer or other tradie you bring on as a subbie has their own ABN, its up to them to get their own policy to be covered.
Does VIZ cover subcontracted bricklayers?
Yes, if you are the subcontractor, for example to a builder or principal bricklayer, you can get your own insurance through VIZ. Most builders will ask for a Certificate of Currency before work starts - VIZ issues yours instantly by email when you take out a policy or you can access 24/7 in your Digital Wallet with the VIZ Tradie Pass.
How much does bricklayer insurance cost?
It depends on your cover level, state, number of workers and a few other factors. Check out our bricklayers page for more info.