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Before you hire a builder contractor or tradesperson, it’s important to know whether your job requires a particular kind of licence. Industry licence requirements can vary from state to state, so use the guide below to learn about the different regulations in place. In some states and territories, tradespeople can perform general building work under a […]
Before you hire a builder contractor or tradesperson, it’s important to know whether your job requires a particular kind of licence. Industry licence requirements can vary from state to state, so use the guide below to learn about the different regulations in place.
In some states and territories, tradespeople can perform general building work under a certain value (e.g. $1,000 including labour and materials) without requiring a licence.
If a licence is required, use these online licence checks to find their name.
Online Licence Checks by State
In the case unable to find their name in the relevant database, please report their name and business name back to us via support@serviceseeking.com.au.
What kind of work are you getting done?
Plumbing, Draining & Gasfitting
Air Conditioning & Refrigeration
Residential Building
- NSW
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- In NSW, any of the following jobs must be carried out by the the holder of an endorsed contractor licence or qualified supervisor certificate in the relevant category of specialist work:
- garage, carport and shed construction/erection (including kits)
- bathroom, kitchen or laundry renovations
- swimming pool building and structural landscaping
- screened, glass or pool enclosures
- atriums, conservatories
- house lifting (ie. permanently raising the height of an existing structure)
- removal and resiting of dwellings
- saunas and steam rooms
- Licences are issued by Fair Trading
- In NSW, any of the following jobs must be carried out by the the holder of an endorsed contractor licence or qualified supervisor certificate in the relevant category of specialist work:
- QLD
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- In QLD, Individuals and companies must hold a Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) licence to carry out:
- Any building work valued over $3000
- Building work valued over $1,100 where is involved Hydraulic Services Design
- Registered architects are able to carry out building design work and perform building inspections on all types of buildings
- Licences are issued by QBCC
- In QLD, Individuals and companies must hold a Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) licence to carry out:
- VIC
-
- In VIC, if a builder or tradesperson carries out work worth more than $5000, they must be registered with the Victorian Building Authority (VBA). This includes carpenters, bricklayers and concreters.
- If your job is under $5000, Consumer Affairs Victoria recommends to check their credentials and to not sign any agreement until you are clear about the contract terms and your obligations
- Licences are issued by VBA
- WA
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- The Building Services (Registration) Act 2011 requires that an individual, partnership or company that carries out, or contracts to carry out, ‘builder-work’ valued over $20,000 must be a registered building service ‘contractor’ and named as a builder on the building licence or permit.
- Licences are issued by WA Department of Commerce
- SA
-
- A person must be licensed as a building contractor to carry on the business of either:
- performing building work for others
- performing building work with a view to the sale or letting of land or buildings improved by that work
- Licences are issued by SA Consumer and Business Services
- A person must be licensed as a building contractor to carry on the business of either:
- NT
-
- In the NT, the following residential building work requires a registered building contractor:
- new single houses, townhouses, duplexes, and new residential units to any height;
- verandas, garages and carports built as part of new single dwellings and residential units;
- extensions such as livings areas, bedrooms and enclosed attached garages to existing single houses and residential units; and
- retaining walls associated with the actual structure of a single house or residential unit;
- where the cost is above $12,000
- Licences are issued by the NT Building Practitioners Board
- In the NT, the following residential building work requires a registered building contractor:
- TAS
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- A Building practitioner in TAS requires accreditation for the following classes:
- Builder classes:
- Builder (low rise, medium rise or open)
- Builder (construction manager)
- Builder (fire protection services)
- Demolisher
- Licences are issued by TAS Consumer, Building and Occupational Services
Plumbing, Draining & Gasfitting
- NSW
-
- A licence is required before any plumbing, draining or gasfitting (including LP gasfitting) work can be undertaken in NSW, regardless of the cost of the work and regardless of whether the work is residential, commercial or industrial.
- Licences are issued by Fair Trading
- QLD
-
- Individuals and companies must have a licence to carry out any work involving plumbing, drainage and gasfitting.
- Licences are issued by Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC)
- VIC
-
- Must be registered or licensed and carry an identification card. For all work valued over $750, the plumber must give you a compliance certificate which certifies that the work complies with the law.
- Licences are issued by Victorian Building Authority (VBA)
- WA
-
- In WA, all tradespeople require a licence to carry out plumbing, drainage and gasfitting. Six licence categories exist and licence holders are only authorised to undertake plumbing work within the scope of their licence
- Licences are issued by the Plumbers Licensing Board
- SA
-
- In SA, any person, business or company offering services as a plumber or gas fitter must be licensed as a contractor. Any person, including builders, who personally carries out plumbing or must also hold a worker’s registration.
- Licences are issued by SA Consumer and Business Services
- NT
-
- In the NT, Individuals must carry an Advanced Tradesman licence to complete plumbing/draining work or supervise the work of apprentices, Journeymen and trades assistants.
- To certify plumbing work, they must also be registered as a Certifying Plumber and Drainer with the Building Practitioners Board
- Licences are issued by the NT Plumbers and Drainers Licensing Board
- TAS
-
- In TAS, a practitioner licence is required to undertake plumbing work. This includes if the tradesperson is an employee of a business engaging in plumbing work.
- Licences fall under three categories: practitioner, contractor and provisional
- Licences are issued by TAS Consumer, Building and Occupational Services
Electrical Wiring
- NSW
-
- In NSW, an electrical licence is required before any electrical wiring work can be undertaken , regardless of the cost and regardless of whether the work is residential, commercial or industrial
- Licences are issued by Fair Trading
- QLD
-
- In QLD, a business which provides electrical work services for others must have an electrical contractor licence.
- Licences are issued by QLD Electrical Safety Office
- VIC
-
- In VIC, only registered electrical contractors may carry out electrical work.
- Whenever a licensed electrician completes any electrical installation work, they must also give you a Certificate of Electrical Safety.
- Licences are issued by Energy Safe Australia
- WA
-
- In WA, Electrical work may only be carried out by persons with the appropriate electrical worker’s licence, unless it is a minor type of work that is exempted by regulation
- Licences are issued by WA Electrical Licensing Board
- SA
-
- In SA, any person, business or company offering services as an electrician, must be licensed as a contractor. Any person, including builders, who personally carries out electrical work must hold a worker’s registration.
- Licences are issued by SA Consumer and Business Services
- NT
-
- Electrical industry workers and contractors in the NT must obtain a licence and meet certain requirements before any electrical work is carried out.
- Licences are issued by NT Electrical Contractors & Licensing Board
- TAS
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- All practitioners and contractors wishing to undertake electrical work require a licence.
- Licences are issued by TAS Consumer Building & Occupational Services
Air Conditioning & Refrigeration
Across all states, a Refrigerant and Handling Licence must be held by any individual who carries out work in relation to refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) equipment. Carrying out work in relation to RAC equipment means to do anything with a fluorocarbon refrigerant, or a component of RAC equipment, that carries the risk of refrigerant being emitted, including:
- Decanting the refrigerant
- Manufacturing, installing, commissioning, servicing or maintaining RAC equipment
- Decommissioning RAC equipment
Licences are issued by the Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) on behalf of the Australian Government, to professionals in the refrigeration/air conditioning and auto industry.
Pest & Termite Management 
- NSW
- To undertake general pest control and also termite & timber pest management in NSW, a Pest Management Technician licence is required
- For the occupational use of pesticides, a Pest Management Technician or Fumigation Certificate of Competency is required
- Licences are issued by the NSW Environmental Protection Authority
- QLD
- In QLD, there are three types of Pest Management licences:
- A Pest Management Licence (excluding timber pests)
- A Pest Management licence including timber pests
- A Fumigation licence.
- Licences are issued by the Queensland Department of Health
- To carry out any work involving termite management (chemical), individuals and companies must hold a Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) licence
- In QLD, there are three types of Pest Management licences:
- VIC
- In VIC, general pest control work requires a full Pest Management Technician licence. The Licence holder must only use the pesticides or classes of pesticides specified on the Licence.
- A separate licence is required for Fumigation work (also issued by the Victorian Department of Health) and Agricultural Pest & Weed Control (issued by the Department of Environment and Primary Industries)
- Licences are issued by VIC Department of Health & Human Services
- WA
- In WA, there a three types of pest technician licences:
- Full Pest Management Technician Licence (including termite & timber pest management)
- Pest Management Technician Sales Person Licence
- Provisional Pest Management Licence (must work under direct supervision of a licensed technician for first 30 working days, after this must work under supervision)
- Fumigation work requires a separate fumigation licence
- Licences are issued by the WA Department of Health
- In WA, there a three types of pest technician licences:
- SA
- In SA, general pest control work requires a full Pest Management Technician licence
- Termite and timber pest management requires a licence endorsed ‘Timber Pests’
- Trainees require a Limited Pest Management Licence and must work under the direct supervision of a full licensed Pest Management Technician
- Pest & Weed control for Agricultural, Horticulture, Viticulture, Fumigation & Vertebrate Animal Control require specific endorsements to the Pest management Licence
- Licences are issued by SA Controlled Substances Licensing
- NT
- To undertake general pest control and also termite and timber pest management, a full Pest Control Operator licence and Senior 1st Aid Certificate is required
- For training Pest Control technicians, a Provisional Pest Control Licence is required and the trainee must be employed by a fully licensed Pest Control Business and be supervised by a licensed pest control operator
- Fumigation requires a separate licence
- Licences are issued by NT Department of Health
- TAS
- All pest control businesses in TAS must hold a Commercial Operator’s Licence
- Any Pest Management Technician working under a pest control business must hold a Tasmanian Certificate of Competency for the type of work undertaken
- Licences are issued by TAS Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment