How to check a provider's licence, state by state

Before you start

Licensing rules differ by state and territory, and by trade. Some jobs need a licence, some need a registration, and some need neither. This guide points you to each regulator's website; it does not replace it. Check your state's rules for the job you are planning.

For every state, ask the provider for their licence number and the name it is held under, then look it up yourself. A number written on a quote is a claim until you have checked it.

New South Wales

Regulator: Service NSW and NSW Fair Trading (service.nsw.gov.au). Use the online licence check on the Service NSW website.

You can search by licensee name, licence number, licence type, ABN, ACN or location. If you cannot use the tool or cannot find the licence, contact NSW Fair Trading.

• Ask for the licence number and the licence type.
• Check that the licence type matches the work on your quote.

Victoria

Regulator: the Building and Plumbing Commission (bpc.vic.gov.au). Its home page has a "Check a builder or plumber licence or registration" link to an online database.

The Commission says its database shows registration and licence status, conditions and compliance history. For electrical work, see Energy Safe Victoria (energysafe.vic.gov.au).

• Ask for the registration or licence number and the class.
• Check the status and any conditions before you sign.

Queensland

Regulator: the QBCC (qbcc.qld.gov.au). Search the QBCC licensee register by licence number or by name.

The QBCC says to confirm that the licence is for the type of work you are hiring for and that the name matches the one on the licence. It also says licensed contractors must show their name and licence number in their advertising, and that a builder's subcontractors generally need their own licences. If you cannot find them, the QBCC suggests calling 139 333.

• Ask to see their physical or digital licence.
• Ask who the subcontractors are and check theirs too.

Western Australia

Regulator: Building and Energy (wa.gov.au). Its Online Licence Search covers electrical, plumbing, gas fitting and building services licences, and it publishes registers for builders, building surveyors, painters and building engineers.

Match the name, the registration number and the licence type; matching the number alone is not enough. Building and Energy does not publish business or trading names, so use ASIC's national register for those. Phone 1300 489 099 for help.

• Ask for the person's full name and licence type, not only a business name.
• Check the licence or registration is current before you agree to the work.

South Australia

Regulator: the South Australian Government licensing public register (sa.gov.au), which covers builders, plumbers, gas fitters and electricians among other occupations.

To search you need the licence number, or the surname or trading name. The name and number should be on a business card, written quote, website or other promotional material. The page notes that for solar installations a builder's or electrician's licence may be required, depending on the work.

• Ask for the licence number and the trading name.
• Check the licence matches the type of work you are asking for.

Tasmania

Regulator: Consumer Affairs Tasmania (consumeraffairs.tas.gov.au), which has a search for licensed electricians, plumbers, builders and other categories. The categories include electricians, plumbers, gas-fitters, auto gas-fitters and builders.

The register shows current licence holders only, and it does not show the status of a licence application.

• Ask for the licence number and category.
• If you cannot find them, ask them to explain before you go ahead.

Australian Capital Territory

Regulator: Access Canberra (accesscanberra.act.gov.au). It runs public registers for construction occupations, including builders, electricians, plumbers, gasfitters and drainers.

The registers show licence status, such as active, expired, suspended, surrendered or cancelled, and disciplinary action appears under the Details tab. Access Canberra also suggests asking for a certificate of currency for public liability insurance, and recording the provider's full name, street address, registered business name and ABN before you sign.

• Check the status is active.
• Ask for the certificate of currency for their insurance.

Northern Territory

For plumbing and drainage, the Plumbers and Drainers Licensing Board (plumberslicensing.nt.gov.au) publishes a table of currently licensed plumbers and drainers on its home page. If you cannot find a name there, the Board says to call 1800 193 111.

The Board says a journeyman is not a licensed plumber and cannot contract directly with a customer, and that certifying plumbers register with the Building Practitioners Board. For other trades in the Northern Territory, check the regulator's website.

• Ask whether the person quoting is a licensed plumber.
• Ask who will sign off the work if it needs certifying.

What to ask every provider to show you

Whatever your state, these questions are fair for any job:

• Your licence or registration number, and the name it is held under.
• Proof of current insurance, and what it covers.
• Any certificate or notice your state requires once the work is finished.
• A written quote with the licence number on it.

Frequently asked questions