Our story.

Built by Tradies, for Tradies since 1966.

In 1966, a group of local Canberra builders faced a massive hurdle: many small operators couldn't access trading credit, making it impossible to compete with giant corporate players.

To level the playing field, they formed the Builders Trading Co-operative Ltd. Trading initially from rented premises in Geelong St, the co-operative structure was chosen with a clear mission: give both large and small investors the exact same voting rights, identical access to a share of the profits, and a local, independent supply of affordable, high-quality construction materials.

Shortly after launching, the Co-op purchased our current site at 31 Yallourn St for $100,000.00 and added a metal shed to kick off operations. Since those humble beginnings, the Co-op has grown from those few sheds at the back of the block into a vibrant, dynamic business.

The building and construction industry has seen many changes over the past 60 years, and we are continually adapting and sourcing new products to keep up with the changing needs of our industry. We now stock a large range of materials to cater for all types of construction; including large-scale developments, new home builds, renovations, extensions, owner-builders, and the weekend handyman.

Over the decades, Builders Trading Cooperative has grown into the largest independent building supply company and the premier building supply cooperative in the ACT region. Our team of administration, yard, and delivery staff remain 100% focused on delivering these benefits to members and customers alike. We’re still run by a Board of Directors made up of experienced local builders who understand exactly what you need on-site.

The Co-op advantage:

We aren't a massive, faceless corporate chain. We are a cooperative, which completely changes how we do business.

Profits go back to you: Because we are a co-op, our surplus profits are returned to our members through dividends and rebates. When you succeed, we succeed.
Unbeatable service + pricing: Our structure allows us to offer highly competitive pricing, better bulk rates, and a level of personalised service our competitors simply can’t match.
Driven by members: We actually listen. Our builder-directors actively review feedback, recommendations, and ideas from our shareholders to constantly improve what we offer.

Want to keep more profit in your business?

Ask us about becoming a member today

White Builders Trading Isuzu flatbed truck carrying stacked green and yellow building materials on the tray, photographed from a low angle in a yard with trees and warehouse buildings in the background.

Delivery you can trust.

In construction, downtime is lost money. We don’t rely on third-party contractor drivers who don't know a lintel from a joist.

Our fleet, our team: We own and manage our entire fleet of delivery vehicles, driven by our own dedicated employees. This gives us total control over our schedule and the flexibility to meet your urgent needs.
4-hour delivery: We offer a rapid 4-hour delivery window, 5 days a week across the Canberra and Queanbeyan region (conditions apply).

Once you experience the reliability of our delivery team, you’ll see why we are the top choice for the local building trade.

Powered by our people.

From our warehouse floor to our delivery drivers, our team of over 15 local experts is our greatest asset. We are committed to a continuous human resources and training framework, ensuring our staff stay ahead of the latest product innovations, safety standards, and building trends.

We strive for continual improvement so that every time you call or walk through our doors, you’re getting leading-edge industry expertise.

Office worker wearing a high-visibility orange jacket sitting at a desk and speaking on a corded telephone, with computer equipment partially visible in the foreground and a neutral indoor background.

Built to trade standards.

As a proud member of the Master Builders Association ACT, Builders Trading Co-operative is deeply committed to upholding the rigorous quality, safety, and compliance standards Canberra’s commercial construction industry demands. We don't just supply independent building materials—we back local licensed trades and owner-builders with structural integrity, reliable local knowledge, and an unwavering commitment to building a better community together.