Trade Licensing by State
Licensing requirements vary across Australian states and territories. This guide helps tradies and homeowners understand when a licence is required.
Disclaimer: This information is a general guide only and may not be current. Licensing laws change — always verify with your state's licensing authority before starting work. TradiHub does not provide legal advice.
Quick Comparison
| State | Licence Threshold | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Queensland (QLD) | $3,300 | QBCC — Queensland Building and Construction Commission |
| New South Wales (NSW) | $5,000 | NSW Fair Trading |
| Victoria (VIC) | $10,000 | VBA — Victorian Building Authority |
| South Australia (SA) | $0 (all building work) | Consumer and Business Services SA |
| Western Australia (WA) | $20,000 | Building Commission WA / DMIRS |
| Tasmania (TAS) | $20,000 | Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (CBOS) |
| Australian Capital Territory (ACT) | $12,000 | Access Canberra |
| Northern Territory (NT) | $12,000 | NT Building Practitioners Board |
State-by-State Details
Queensland (QLD)
QBCC — Queensland Building and Construction Commission- •Building work over $3,300 (incl. GST) requires a QBCC licence
- •Electrical, plumbing, gas fitting, and drainage work always requires a licence regardless of value
- •Specialist trades (air conditioning, fire protection) have separate licence classes
- •Home warranty insurance required for residential work over $3,300
New South Wales (NSW)
NSW Fair Trading- •Residential building work over $5,000 (incl. GST) requires a contractor licence
- •Specialist work (electrical, plumbing, gas) always requires a licence
- •Home Building Compensation Fund cover required for work over $20,000
- •Trade qualifications (Cert III) required even for work under $5,000
Victoria (VIC)
VBA — Victorian Building Authority- •Domestic building work over $10,000 requires registration with the VBA
- •Domestic building insurance required for work over $16,000
- •Plumbing and electrical work always requires a licence
- •Written contract required for domestic work over $10,000
South Australia (SA)
Consumer and Business Services SA- •All building work requires a building work contractor licence — no minimum threshold
- •Plumbing, gas fitting, and electrical work requires separate licences
- •Building indemnity insurance required for all domestic work
- •Contractor must hold appropriate trade qualifications
Western Australia (WA)
Building Commission WA / DMIRS- •Building work over $20,000 requires registration as a building contractor
- •Painting and decorating work over $20,000 requires a painter registration
- •Electrical and plumbing work always requires a licence
- •Home indemnity insurance required for work over $20,000
Tasmania (TAS)
Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (CBOS)- •Building work over $20,000 requires an accredited builder licence
- •Electrical, plumbing, and gas fitting always requires a licence
- •Residential building work over $20,000 requires building warranty insurance
- •Owner-builders can apply for permits for their own residence
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
Access Canberra- •Building work over $12,000 requires a builder licence
- •Electrical, plumbing, and gas fitting always requires a licence
- •Residential building insurance required for work over $12,000
- •Written contracts required for work over $12,000
Northern Territory (NT)
NT Building Practitioners Board- •Building work over $12,000 requires registration as a building contractor
- •Electrical and plumbing work always requires a licence
- •Home warranty insurance required for residential work over $12,000
- •Building permits required for structural work regardless of value
Trades That Always Require a Licence
Regardless of job value, the following trades require a licence in every state and territory:
Electrical work
Plumbing
Gas fitting
Drainage work
Air conditioning (refrigerant handling)
Asbestos removal
TradiHub displays licence information on tradie profiles so homeowners can make informed decisions.