Hiring a tradesperson in Australia isn’t just about finding the best price — it’s about making sure the person doing the work is properly licensed or registered. Whether you’re renovating, building, or organising electrical or plumbing work, checking a tradie’s licence is one of the most important steps you can take before starting a job.
Licensing requirements vary between states and territories, and each jurisdiction has its own official register. Below is a state-by-state guide on where to verify a tradie’s licence, which trades usually need to be licensed, and why registration matters.
Licensed tradespeople have met legal training, competency and safety requirements set by government regulators. Verifying a licence helps you:
Confirm the tradie is legally allowed to perform the work
Reduce the risk of unsafe or non-compliant work
Protect your home insurance and warranties
Ensure you have legal protection if something goes wrong
Avoid fines or costly repairs caused by unlicensed work
While some minor tasks may not require a licence, most regulated and structural work does — especially when it involves safety, utilities, or construction.
NSW Government – Verify a Licence
https://verify.licence.nsw.gov.au/home/Trades
This register allows you to check licences for builders, electricians, plumbers and other trade professionals. Searches can be done by name, licence number, business name or address.
Victorian Building Authority – Find a Practitioner
https://www.vba.vic.gov.au/tools/find-practitioner
Used to verify registered builders, plumbers and building practitioners.
Energy Safe Victoria – Electrical Licence Register
https://www.energysafe.vic.gov.au/licensing/search-public-register
This register is specifically for electricians and electrical contractors operating in Victoria.
Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) – Licence Search
https://my.qbcc.qld.gov.au/s/search-a-register
This public register covers builders, trade contractors and other licensed construction professionals in Queensland.
WA Online Licence Search
https://ols.demirs.wa.gov.au/
This system allows you to search for licences issued by Building and Energy WA, including builders, plumbers and electricians.
SA Government – Building and Trade Licensing
https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/business-and-trade/licensing/building-and-trades/licensing
South Australia manages licensing and registration for electrical workers, plumbers, gas fitters and other building trades through this portal.
Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (CBOS) – Find a Licensed Tradesperson
https://www.cbos.tas.gov.au/topics/licensing-and-registration/search-licensed-occupations/find-a-licensed-tradesperson
This register covers a wide range of licensed occupations including builders, electricians, plumbers and gas fitters.
Access Canberra – Public Registers
https://www.accesscanberra.act.gov.au/
Access Canberra manages licence registers for building practitioners and trade contractors operating in the ACT.
NT Government – Industry Licensing
https://nt.gov.au/industry/licensing
The Northern Territory maintains separate registers for building practitioners, electricians and other licensed trades under occupational licensing.
While requirements differ slightly by state, trades that commonly require licensing or registration include:
Builders and building contractors
Electricians and electrical contractors
Plumbers, gas fitters and drainers
Air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics
Waterproofers, asbestos removalists and pest control technicians
Trade contractors and supervisors for construction work
Some states require both the individual tradie and the business to be licensed.
When checking a licence, always confirm:
The licence is current and active
The name matches the quote, invoice or business details
The licence class covers the work being carried out
The expiry date is valid for the duration of the job
It’s also a good idea to save a screenshot or record of the licence check before paying a deposit or allowing work to begin.
Verifying a tradie’s licence is quick, free, and can save you thousands of dollars in repairs, disputes and legal issues. Using the official government registers above ensures you’re hiring qualified, compliant professionals — and gives you peace of mind that the job will be done properly.
Looking for licensed tradies or advertising your own services?
Post or browse listings today on auclassifieds.com.au.
Before you hire a tradesperson, use this quick checklist to protect yourself, your property and your budget.
☐ Ask the tradie for their licence number
☐ Search the official state or territory licence register
☐ Confirm the licence is current and active
☐ Check the expiry date
☐ Make sure the licence class covers the work being done
Tip: Some trades require both the individual and the business to be licensed.
☐ Licence name matches the quote or invoice
☐ Business name and ABN/ACN are correct
☐ Contact details match what’s listed on the register
☐ The person doing the work is licensed (not just the business owner)
Most Australian states require licences for:
☐ Builders and building contractors
☐ Electricians and electrical contractors
☐ Plumbers, gas fitters and drainers
☐ Air conditioning and refrigeration technicians
☐ Waterproofing and asbestos removal
☐ Pest control (state-specific)
If you’re unsure, always check — unlicensed work can void insurance.
☐ Ask for proof of insurance (where required)
☐ Confirm home warranty or statutory insurance applies (for building work)
☐ Ensure compliance certificates will be issued (e.g. electrical or plumbing)
☐ Save a screenshot or PDF of the licence search result
☐ Get a written quote or contract
☐ Ensure licence details appear on the invoice
☐ Never pay large deposits to unlicensed tradies
⚠️ Refuses to provide a licence number
⚠️ Licence details don’t match the business name
⚠️ Asks for cash only or full payment upfront
⚠️ Claims “you don’t need a licence for this” without proof
Checking a tradie’s licence is free, fast and essential.
It can save you from unsafe work, legal issues, insurance problems and costly repairs.
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