Picking a tradie shouldn’t feel like a gamble. One of the simplest ways to protect yourself is to know what licence the job actually needs, and then check the tradie has it. Here’s the plain version, no jargon.
Which trades must be licensed?
Two trades are non-negotiable, right across Australia:
- Electrical work. Anyone touching your wiring, switchboard, power points or hardwired appliances has to be a licensed electrician. Full stop.
- Plumbing and gas. Drains, hot water, gas fitting, the lot. This always needs a licensed plumber or gasfitter.
These aren’t red tape for the sake of it. Bad wiring starts fires and dodgy gas work can kill people, so the rules are strict and they apply to even small jobs.
After that it gets a bit more flexible. Building and renovation work usually needs a licence once the job goes over a set dollar value. As of October 2026, that line sits at $3,300 in Queensland, $5,000 in NSW and $10,000 in Victoria, while South Australia licenses building work at any value. Below the line, a competent handyman might be fine. Above it, you want a licensed builder or trade. The thresholds get reviewed from time to time, so don’t rely on a number a mate quoted you years ago. Check your state’s page before you sign anything.
Trades like tiling, painting, waterproofing, carpentry and landscaping sit in a grey zone that, again, varies by state. Some states license them, some only above a certain value, and some not at all. When in doubt, ask the tradie what they’re licensed for and check it.
Where to check a licence in your state
Licensing is run state by state, so you check with the body where the work is happening. Each one runs a free public register, and our state pages walk you through the right lookup step by step:
- NSW. Building Commission NSW licenses builders and trades, including electricians and plumbers. Check a licence in NSW
- Victoria. The Building and Plumbing Commission (formerly the Victorian Building Authority) for building and plumbing work, and Energy Safe Victoria for electrical work. Check a licence in Victoria
- Queensland. The Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) for building, trade and plumbing work, and the Electrical Safety Office for electricians. Check a licence in Queensland
- Western Australia. Building and Energy, part of the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety. Check a licence in WA
- South Australia. Consumer and Business Services (CBS). Check a licence in SA
- Tasmania. Consumer Affairs Tasmania, which took over licensing from CBOS on 1 October 2026. Check a licence in Tasmania
- ACT. Access Canberra, through the Construction Occupations Registrar. Check a licence in the ACT
- Northern Territory. The Building Practitioners Board for builders, the Plumbers and Drainers Licensing Board for plumbers, and NT WorkSafe for electricians. Check a licence in the NT
Want them all in one place? Our licence checks page lists every state’s lookup.
How to check a licence number online
It takes about two minutes:
- Ask the tradie for their full name or business name and their licence number. A genuine tradie will hand it over without blinking.
- Go to the right register for your state (see the list above, or start at our licence checks page) and find the licence search.
- Type in the number or name.
- Read what comes back. You want to see that the licence is current, that it actually covers the work you’re getting done, and that there are no conditions, suspensions or complaints hanging over it.
If the name on the licence doesn’t match the person quoting you, or the licence is expired or for the wrong class of work, that’s your sign to pause and ask questions.
Why it actually matters
This isn’t box-ticking. A proper licence protects you in real ways:
- Insurance. If unlicensed work causes damage, say a fire or a flood, your home insurer can knock back the claim. Licensed work helps keep you covered.
- Warranties. Licensed building and trade work usually comes with statutory warranty protection, so if the job’s done badly you have a path to get it put right. Cash-job cowboys are much harder to hold to it.
- Safety and resale. Unlicensed electrical or plumbing can fail certification, cause real danger, and bite you later when you sell and a building inspector finds it.
The honest truth is that a licence doesn’t guarantee a tradie is good, but no licence is a flashing warning light. Pair the licence check with insurance, an ABN and some real reviews and you’re in good shape. If you’d rather not do all that ringing around and checking yourself, that’s exactly what we do for you. We match you with one electrician or plumber who’s already had their licence, insurance and reviews checked.
Want a quick, no-pressure start? Get a free quote and we’ll line up one good local for the job. One good tradie, not five sales calls.