What to do if a tradie does bad work (your rights in Australia)
You've paid for the work, and it's not right. Maybe the paint is peeling after a week, the plumbing leaks, the tiles are uneven, or the tradie disappeared before finishing. Here's what to do — step by step.
Step 1: Document everything
Before you contact the tradie, document the problem thoroughly:
- Take photos and videos of the defective work from multiple angles
- Note the date the work was completed and when the problem appeared
- Keep all receipts, invoices, quotes, and written communications
- If possible, get an independent assessment from another licensed tradie (in writing)
Step 2: Contact the tradie directly
Most disputes are resolved at this stage. Contact the tradie in writing (email or text — not just a phone call) and clearly describe the problem, reference the original agreement, and ask them to rectify the work. Be specific: "the grout in the shower is cracking after 3 weeks" is better than "the bathroom looks wrong."
Give them a reasonable timeframe to respond — 7 to 14 days is standard. Many tradies will come back and fix the issue, especially if they're licensed and want to protect their reputation.
Step 3: Know your consumer rights
Under Australian Consumer Law, services must be:
- Provided with due care and skill
- Fit for the purpose you specified
- Completed within a reasonable time (if no timeframe was agreed)
If the work fails to meet these guarantees, you have the right to a remedy — either the tradie fixes the problem, or you're entitled to a refund or compensation for having another tradie fix it.
Step 4: Lodge a formal complaint
If the tradie won't respond or refuses to fix the work, escalate to your state's consumer protection body:
- NSW — NSW Fair Trading
- VIC — Consumer Affairs Victoria or VBA
- QLD — QBCC
- SA — Consumer & Business Services SA
- WA — Consumer Protection WA
These bodies can investigate, mediate, and in some cases issue rectification orders or disciplinary actions against the tradie's licence.
Step 5: Consider NCAT or VCAT (tribunal)
If consumer protection mediation doesn't resolve it, you can take the matter to your state's civil and administrative tribunal (NCAT in NSW, VCAT in VIC, QCAT in QLD, SACAT in SA). These tribunals handle building disputes up to certain values and are designed to be accessible without a lawyer.
How to protect yourself before hiring
- Check their licence before the job starts
- Get a written contract for any job over $5,000 (it's legally required in most states)
- Never pay more than 20% upfront — structure payments around milestones
- Take photos before and during the work, not just after
- Use a verified platform — on Find A Tradie, every tradie is licence-checked and complaint-screened before they can receive your job