How to check if your tradie is licensed in Australia
Before you hire a tradie for any significant work, checking their licence takes 2 minutes and could save you thousands. Every state and territory in Australia has a free online tool where you can search by name or licence number.
Why it matters
Specialist trades — electricians, plumbers, gasfitters, and air conditioning technicians — must hold a current licence for any work, even a $50 job. Hiring an unlicensed person for these trades is illegal and potentially dangerous. If something goes wrong, your home insurance may not cover the damage.
For other trades like carpentry, painting, tiling, and fencing, a licence is required when the job is above a state-set threshold (typically $5,000 including labour and materials).
How to check — state by state
New South Wales
Use Verify NSW to search by contractor name or licence number. Check the licence category matches the work they're quoting on, and look for any complaints or conditions.
Victoria
The Victorian Building Authority (VBA) has a practitioner search. Look up registered building practitioners, plumbers, and electricians.
Queensland
The QBCC licence check lets you search by name, licence number, or company name. It shows the licence class, conditions, and any demerit points.
South Australia
Consumer & Business Services SA maintains the register. You can search for building work contractors and verify their licence status.
Western Australia
Use Building & Energy WA to search the register of building service contractors, painters, and electrical contractors.
Tasmania, ACT & NT
Tasmania uses CBOS, the ACT uses Access Canberra, and the NT has its own licensing portal. All offer free online searches.
What to look for
- Licence category — does it match the work? A "General Carpentry" licence doesn't cover electrical work.
- Licence status — is it current, suspended, or expired?
- Conditions — are there any restrictions on the type of work they can do?
- Complaints — have any complaints or disciplinary actions been recorded?
- Insurance — a licence doesn't guarantee insurance. Ask for a certificate of currency for public liability and, for larger jobs, home warranty insurance.
What Find A Tradie does
We check every tradie's licence against the relevant state authority before they can receive job leads. We also screen for complaints and disciplinary actions. But we always recommend homeowners verify independently — it takes 2 minutes and gives you peace of mind.
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