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. Below that line, a competent handyman might be fine. Above it, you want a licensed builder. The catch is that the threshold is different in every state and it gets reviewed from time to time, so don’t rely on a number a mate quoted you years ago. Check your state’s body for the current figure 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. When in doubt, ask the tradie what they’re licensed for and check it.
The state bodies to check
Licensing is run state by state, so you check with the body where the work is happening:
- NSW - NSW Fair Trading
- Victoria - the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) for building work, and Energy Safe Victoria for anything electrical
- Queensland - the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC)
- South Australia - Consumer and Business Services (CBS)
- Western Australia - Building and Energy (part of the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety)
Each one runs a free public register on its website. It’s the same idea everywhere, even if the layout differs.
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 state body’s website (see the list above) and find the licence or “check a tradesperson” 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 keeps 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 leave you with nothing.
- 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.