How to Check a Tradesperson's Licence in Australia: State-by-State Verification Guide

A Queensland woman paid $20,965 to a tradesman for renovation work. The work was defective. When she contacted the QBCC, they could not help because the contractor was never licensed. The Magistrates Court eventually fined the tradie $15,000, but the homeowner was left with a botched job and an empty bank account.

That case, prosecuted in January 2026, could have been avoided with a 30-second licence check. With 178,303 verified tradesperson licences across Australia on TradieVerify, checking a tradesperson’s licence before you hire is the single most effective way to protect yourself on any building project.

This guide walks you through how to check a tradesperson’s licence in every Australian state and territory, what to look for in the results, and what the different licence statuses actually mean.

Why You Should Always Check a Tradesperson’s Licence

Checking a tradesperson’s licence is not about distrust. It is about protecting your money, your property, and your legal rights.

Access to dispute resolution. When something goes wrong with a licensed tradie, your state regulator (QBCC, VBA, Fair Trading) can investigate, mediate, and order rectification. With an unlicensed operator, your only option is civil court. That means lawyers, filing fees, and months of waiting.

Insurance protection. Licensed tradies carry public liability insurance and, for larger jobs, home warranty insurance. If an unlicensed electrician causes a house fire, your home insurer can deny the claim because no compliance certificate exists. Read more about the consequences of hiring unlicensed tradies.

Statutory warranties. Licensed work comes with automatic warranties under state legislation: typically six years for structural defects and two years for non-structural issues. Unlicensed work carries no statutory warranty protection.

Compliance at resale. When you sell your home, the buyer’s conveyancer checks for building approvals and compliance certificates. Work done by unlicensed operators rarely has proper council sign-off, which can delay or derail the sale.

How to Check a Tradesperson’s Licence on TradieVerify

The fastest way to check a tradesperson’s licence across multiple states is through TradieVerify’s search page. TradieVerify aggregates licence data from state regulators into a single searchable database covering 178,303 active licences across Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia, and the ACT, with more states being added.

Step 1: Ask for the licence number. Any legitimate licensed tradesperson will provide this without hesitation. If someone refuses, stalls, or says “I’ll send it later,” treat that as a red flag and walk away.

Step 2: Search on TradieVerify. Enter the tradesperson’s name, licence number, or business name at tradieverify.com.au/search. You can also browse by trade and state:

• Licensed builders (94,127 active across 4 states)
• Licensed plumbers (7,557 active across QLD and ACT)
• Licensed electricians (5,115 active in ACT)
• Licensed painters (11,161 active across QLD and WA)
• Licensed carpenters (10,688 active in QLD)

Step 3: Review the details. Do not just confirm the licence exists. Check five things:

1. Status is “Active” (not expired, suspended, or cancelled)
2. Licence class covers the type of work you need
3. Business name matches the entity on the quote
4. Conditions or limitations noted on the licence
5. Expiry date extends past your project completion date

Step 4: Cross-check with the state regulator for the most current information (see the state-by-state guide below).

What Licence Statuses Mean

When you check a tradesperson’s licence, the register will show a status. Understanding what each status means is the difference between a safe hire and a costly mistake.

Active / Current. The tradesperson holds a valid licence and is authorised to perform the work covered by their licence class. This is the only status you should accept.

Expired. The licence was not renewed by the due date. The tradesperson is not currently authorised to perform licensed work. Some regulators allow a grace period for late renewal, but during that window, the tradesperson cannot legally contract for new work.

Suspended. The regulator has temporarily removed the tradesperson’s right to work. Suspensions typically result from complaints, non-compliance with financial requirements, or failure to rectify defective work. A suspended licence is a serious warning sign.

Cancelled. The regulator has permanently revoked the licence. Cancellations follow serious misconduct: fraud, repeated non-compliance, insolvency, or work that endangered safety. Never hire someone with a cancelled licence.

Surrendered. The tradesperson has voluntarily given up their licence. This sometimes happens when a tradie retires, but it can also indicate they surrendered to avoid an investigation or disciplinary action.

Conditional. The licence is active but has conditions attached. Common conditions include supervision requirements, restrictions on project value, or requirements to complete additional training. Ask the tradesperson to explain any conditions and confirm your project falls within the permitted scope.

State-by-State: Where to Check a Tradesperson’s Licence

Each Australian state and territory maintains its own licensing register. Below is the regulator, what you can search for, and the key details to verify in each jurisdiction.

Queensland (QBCC)

Regulator: Queensland Building and Construction Commission Online register: qbcc.qld.gov.au Licensing threshold: $3,300 (inc GST) Active licences on TradieVerify: 107,295

Queensland’s QBCC register is the most detailed in Australia. You can search by licence number, individual name, or company name and see:

• Licence class and scope (e.g., Builder Open, Plumbing, Electrical)
• Current status and expiry date
• Financial category (SC1 through Category 7)
• Any conditions, directions, or enforceable undertakings
• Disciplinary history and demerit points

Queensland-specific tip: The QBCC publishes an Excluded Individuals Register listing people who have been banned from holding a licence or being a director of a licensed company. Always check this register as well, especially for large renovation or building projects.

Browse licensed tradies in QLD on TradieVerify.

Victoria (VBA)

Regulator: Victorian Building Authority (transitioning to Building and Plumbing Commission from 1 July 2025) Online register: vba.vic.gov.au Licensing threshold: $16,000 (domestic building insurance threshold) Active licences on TradieVerify: 42,106

Victoria uses a registration system rather than licensing for most building practitioners. Search the VBA register for:

• Registration category and class (over 30 defined classes)
• Current status
• Insurance eligibility (Letter of Eligibility)
• Disciplinary decisions

Victoria-specific tip: Victoria distinguishes between “registered” and “licensed” practitioners. Registered building practitioners (builders, building surveyors) are different from licensed tradespeople (plumbers, electricians, gasfitters). Both require checking, but through different portals. For plumbing and gasfitting, use the VBA Plumbing Register. For electrical work, check Energy Safe Victoria’s register.

Browse licensed tradies in VIC on TradieVerify.

New South Wales (Fair Trading)

Regulator: NSW Fair Trading Online register: fairtrading.nsw.gov.au Licensing threshold: $5,000 (inc GST)

NSW Fair Trading’s Home Building Licence Check lets you search by licence number, name, or business name. The register shows:

• Licence type (Contractor, Tradesperson Certificate, Supervisor, Owner-Builder Permit)
• Licence categories held
• Status and expiry date
• Any conditions or restrictions
• Penalty notices issued

NSW-specific tip: NSW has both contractor licences and tradesperson certificates. Contractors can contract directly with you. A tradesperson certificate holder can perform the work but cannot enter into a contract as a principal. Always verify your tradie holds a contractor licence if they are quoting and contracting directly.

Data for NSW is coming soon to TradieVerify.

Western Australia (DEMIRS)

Regulator: Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety Online register: commerce.wa.gov.au Licensing threshold: $20,000 Active licences on TradieVerify: 17,212

WA’s register allows searches by name, registration number, or company. Results show:

• Registration type (Contractor, Practitioner)
• Categories of work authorised
• Current status
• Any compliance history

WA-specific tip: Western Australia uses a practitioner/contractor split. A Building Practitioner holds the technical qualifications and supervises work. A Building Contractor holds the business registration and enters into contracts. Every contractor must nominate a qualified practitioner. Check both registrations for building projects.

Browse licensed tradies in WA on TradieVerify.

South Australia (CBS)

Regulator: Consumer and Business Services Online register: cbs.sa.gov.au Licensing threshold: No dollar minimum for most building work

SA’s register lets you search by licence number, name, or business name. Key features:

• Licence class and conditions
• Current status and expiry
• Public register of disciplinary actions

SA-specific tip: South Australia has no minimum dollar threshold for most building work. All residential building work (other than minor maintenance) requires a building work contractor’s licence. This is the strictest threshold in Australia.

Data for SA is coming soon to TradieVerify.

ACT (Access Canberra)

Regulator: Access Canberra Online register: accesscanberra.act.gov.au Licensing threshold: $12,000 Active licences on TradieVerify: 11,690

The ACT Construction Occupations Register is one of the most transparent in Australia. It shows:

• Licence class (A, B, C, D for builders; separate classes for plumbers, electricians, gasfitters)
• Current status (active, expired, suspended, cancelled, surrendered)
• Conditions on the licence
• Disciplinary history, including enforceable undertakings

ACT-specific tip: The ACT register displays expired, suspended, surrendered, and cancelled licences alongside active ones. If a tradesperson tells you they are licensed but the register shows “Cancelled” or “Suspended,” you have your answer.

Browse licensed tradies in ACT on TradieVerify.

Tasmania (CBOS)

Regulator: Consumer, Building and Occupational Services Online register: cbos.tas.gov.au Licensing threshold: $20,000 (building); $5,000 (plumbing, electrical)

Tasmania’s register can be searched by name, licence number, or business. It shows:

• Accreditation class
• Current status
• Conditions

Tasmania-specific tip: Tasmania is the only state with no mandatory home warranty insurance. This makes checking a tradesperson’s licence and verifying public liability insurance even more important, because you have fewer safety nets if something goes wrong.

Data for Tasmania is coming soon to TradieVerify.

Northern Territory (NT BAS)

Regulator: NT Building Advisory Services Online register: nt.gov.au/property/building Licensing threshold: Varies by trade

The NT register allows searches by name or licence number. Results show:

• Registration category
• Current status
• Conditions

NT-specific tip: The NT has a smaller tradesperson workforce than other jurisdictions. It is common for interstate tradies to work in the Territory under mutual recognition arrangements. If your tradie holds an interstate licence, ask them to confirm they have registered with NT authorities for the duration of the project.

Data for the NT is coming soon to TradieVerify.

State-by-State Comparison Table

Which Trades Always Require a Licence

Some trades require a licence for all work, regardless of the dollar value. There is no threshold below which you can legally skip the tradesperson’s licence check for these trades.

Electrical work. Every state and territory requires a licence for all electrical work. Replacing a power point, installing a downlight, adding a circuit: all require a licensed electrician. DIY electrical work is illegal everywhere in Australia.

Plumbing and drainage. All plumbing work requires a licensed plumber. This includes tap replacements, toilet installations, hot water connections, and drainage. With 7,557 active licensed plumbers on TradieVerify across QLD and ACT, finding a verified professional is straightforward.

Gasfitting. All gas appliance installation, servicing, and repair requires a licensed gasfitter. Gas work carries explosion and carbon monoxide risks that make licence verification non-negotiable.

General building work (builders, painters, carpenters, tilers, landscapers, roofers) has dollar thresholds that vary by state. Queensland’s $3,300 threshold is the lowest. WA’s $20,000 is the highest. See the comparison table above for your state’s threshold.

For a deeper look at licensing by trade, see our guides on builder licensing, electrical licensing, and plumbing licensing.

Five Things to Check Beyond the Licence Number

Once you have confirmed the tradesperson’s licence is active, these five additional checks protect you further.

1. Insurance. Ask for a copy of the tradesperson’s public liability insurance certificate. Confirm the policy is current and covers at least $5 million. For building work above your state’s threshold, also request a copy of their home warranty insurance certificate with your name and address on it.

2. Licence class matches your project. A builder with a “Low Rise” licence cannot legally build your three-storey townhouse. A plumber without a gasfitting endorsement cannot connect your gas cooktop. Confirm the specific licence class or endorsement covers what you need.

3. Business name matches. The name on the licence should match the name on the quote and contract. If “John Smith” holds the licence but “Smith Building Pty Ltd” is on the quote, confirm the company is the licensed entity or that John Smith is the nominated supervisor.

4. No active complaints or conditions. Some state registers show current complaints, directions to rectify, or enforceable undertakings. The QBCC register is particularly detailed, showing demerit points and financial categories. Conditions on a licence may restrict the tradesperson’s scope or require additional supervision.

5. Compliance certificates from past work. For trades like plumbing and electrical, ask whether the tradesperson lodges compliance certificates after completing work. In Victoria, plumbers must lodge a compliance certificate with the VBA within five business days. Electricians must lodge a Certificate of Electrical Safety. These certificates prove the work was inspected and meets Australian Standards.

What to Do If the Licence Check Fails

If you search for a tradesperson and find no record, an expired licence, or a suspended/cancelled status, do not hire them. Here is what to do instead.

If there is no record at all: The tradesperson may be unlicensed, or they may be registered in a different state. Ask which state they are licensed in and check that state’s register directly. If they cannot tell you which regulator issued their licence, they are almost certainly unlicensed.

If the licence is expired: Ask the tradesperson to provide proof of renewal. Some states allow a short grace period for late renewals, but the tradesperson should not start new work until the licence is active again.

If the licence is suspended or cancelled: Do not hire this person under any circumstances. Report them to the relevant state regulator if they are advertising or offering work while suspended or cancelled. See our guide on what happens when you hire an unlicensed tradie for the full consequences.

If the licence class does not match: The tradesperson may be licensed, but not for your specific type of work. A painter with a trade licence cannot legally act as your general builder. An electrician without an ARCtick licence cannot legally install your split system. Confirm the scope before signing anything.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a national tradesperson licence register in Australia?

There is no single government-run national register. Each state and territory maintains its own licensing system through separate regulators: QBCC (QLD), VBA (VIC), Fair Trading (NSW), DEMIRS (WA), CBS (SA), Access Canberra (ACT), CBOS (TAS), and NT BAS. TradieVerify aggregates data from multiple state registers into one searchable database, currently covering 178,303 active licences across QLD, VIC, WA, and ACT.

Can I check a tradesperson’s licence for free?

Yes. Every state regulator offers free online licence searches. TradieVerify’s search page is also free. You never need to pay to verify a tradesperson’s licence. Any website charging for a basic licence check is unnecessary.

What if my tradesperson is licensed in a different state to where I live?

A licence issued in one state does not automatically cover work in another state. Under Mutual Recognition legislation, a tradesperson can apply to have their interstate licence recognised, but they must register with the local authority before starting work. Ask for proof of local registration, not just the interstate licence number.

How long does a licence check take?

On TradieVerify, a search takes about 30 seconds. Checking directly with a state regulator typically takes one to two minutes. There is no reason not to do it before every hiring decision.

Do apprentices need to hold a licence?

Apprentices do not hold a full licence, but they must be registered with their state training authority and work under the direct supervision of a licensed tradesperson. Ask the supervising tradesperson for their licence number, not the apprentice’s registration number.

What should I check beyond the licence number?

Five things: that the licence status is “Active,” the licence class covers your project, the business name matches the quote, there are no conditions or complaints on the record, and the tradesperson carries current public liability insurance. For building work above your state’s warranty threshold, also confirm home warranty insurance.

Related Guides

• What Happens If You Hire an Unlicensed Tradie? Penalties, Insurance Risks, and Your Rights — Our unlicensed tradie risks
• 10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring Any Tradie — Our essential hiring questions
• How to Hire a Licensed Builder — Our builder hiring guide

Sources

1. Queensland Building and Construction Commission, “Licence Search,” qbcc.qld.gov.au
2. Victorian Building Authority, “Practitioner Register,” vba.vic.gov.au
3. NSW Fair Trading, “Home Building Licence Check,” fairtrading.nsw.gov.au
4. Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (WA), “Building and Energy,” commerce.wa.gov.au
5. Consumer and Business Services (SA), “Contractor Licence Search,” cbs.sa.gov.au
6. Access Canberra, “Construction Occupations Register,” accesscanberra.act.gov.au
7. Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (TAS), “Licence Register,” cbos.tas.gov.au
8. NT Government, “Building Advisory Services,” nt.gov.au/property/building