6 Trades · 8 States
Australian Trade Licence Types
Every Australian state and territory has its own licence classes for each trade. Explore the different licence types below to understand what applies in your state.
Understanding Licence Types
Why licence types matter
In Australia, trade licences are not one-size-fits-all. Each state and territory issues different licence classes that determine the specific types of work a tradesperson is authorised to perform.
For example, a plumber might hold a licence for general plumbing and drainage, but not for gas fitting or mechanical services. A builder might be licensed for residential work but not commercial projects. Understanding these distinctions helps you hire the right person for the job.
Below, we break down the licence types for each major trade across all eight Australian states and territories.
Key things to know
- Licence names vary — the same type of work may have different licence names in different states
- Always check the scope — a licence class defines exactly what work is permitted, not just the trade category
- State-specific — a licence in one state does not automatically cover work in another state
- Use our search to verify a specific tradesperson's licence and see exactly what they're authorised to do
Plumber
Licence types across 8 states and territories
QLD
Queensland
Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC)
- Hydraulic Services DesignerDesign of water supply, sanitary and stormwater drainage systems
- Plumber and DrainerGeneral plumbing and drainage work including water supply, sanitary plumbing, and stormwater drainage
- Mechanical Services (Plumbing)Installation of mechanical plumbing services including heating and cooling piping
NSW
New South Wales
NSW Fair Trading
- Plumbing Contractor LicenceAuthorises the holder to contract to do plumbing and drainage work
- Plumber, Drainer & Gasfitter LicenceCombined licence for plumbing, drainage, and gas fitting work
- Tradesperson Certificate — PlumberAllows the holder to carry out plumbing work under a contractor licence holder
VIC
Victoria
Victorian Building Authority (VBA)
- Registered PlumberCarry out plumbing work under supervision or independently
- Licensed PlumberCarry out and certify plumbing work, issue compliance certificates
- Registered Plumber (Roofing — Stormwater)Install and maintain roof plumbing and stormwater systems
WA
Western Australia
Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS)
- Plumbing Contractor LicenceAuthorises contracting for plumbing work including water supply, sanitary, and drainage
- Tradesperson Plumber LicenceAllows carrying out plumbing work under a contractor
- Plumbing Permit HolderTemporary permit for specific plumbing projects
SA
South Australia
Consumer and Business Services SA
- Plumbing Contractor LicenceContract to carry out plumbing work
- Plumbing Worker RegistrationCarry out plumbing work under a licensed contractor
- Restricted Plumbing LicenceLimited plumbing work such as roof plumbing or irrigation
TAS
Tasmania
Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (CBOS)
- Plumbing Contractor LicenceContract to carry out plumbing and drainage work in Tasmania
- Plumbing Practitioner LicenceCarry out plumbing work under a contractor
- Restricted Plumbing LicenceLimited to specific plumbing activities such as roof plumbing
ACT
Australian Capital Territory
ACT Construction Occupations Registrar
- Plumber Licence — Class AFull plumbing work including water supply, sanitary, and drainage
- Plumber Licence — Class BLimited plumbing work such as maintenance and repairs
- Plumber Licence — JourneypersonCarry out plumbing work under a licensed plumber
NT
Northern Territory
NT Building Practitioners Board
- Plumbing Contractor RegistrationContract to carry out plumbing and drainage work in the NT
- Plumbing Worker RegistrationCarry out plumbing work under a registered contractor
Electrician
Licence types across 8 states and territories
QLD
Queensland
Electrical Safety Office Queensland
- Electrical Contractor LicenceContract for and supervise electrical work
- Electrical Mechanic LicenceCarry out general electrical installation work
- Restricted Electrical LicencePerform specific limited electrical tasks such as disconnect/reconnect air-conditioning
NSW
New South Wales
NSW Fair Trading
- Electrical Contractor LicenceContract for and supervise electrical work in NSW
- Qualified Supervisor Certificate — ElectricalSupervise electrical work carried out under a contractor licence
- Electrician Tradesperson CertificateCarry out electrical work under a contractor
VIC
Victoria
Energy Safe Victoria
- Registered Electrical Contractor (REC)Contract for and manage electrical work in Victoria
- Licensed Electrician — Class ACarry out all electrical installation work
- Licensed Electrician — Supervised WorkerCarry out electrical work under supervision of a licensed electrician
WA
Western Australia
EnergySafety WA (DMIRS)
- Electrical Contractor LicenceContract to carry out electrical work in WA
- Electrical Worker LicenceCarry out electrical work under a contractor
- Restricted Electrical LicenceLimited to specific types of electrical work
SA
South Australia
Office of the Technical Regulator SA
- Electrical Contractor LicenceContract to carry out electrical work in SA
- Electrical Worker LicenceCarry out electrical work under a contractor
- Restricted Electrical LicenceLimited to specific types of electrical work (e.g. disconnect/reconnect)
TAS
Tasmania
Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (CBOS)
- Electrical Contractor LicenceContract for and supervise electrical work in Tasmania
- Electrical Practitioner LicenceCarry out electrical work in Tasmania
- Restricted Electrical LicenceLimited types of electrical work
ACT
Australian Capital Territory
ACT Construction Occupations Registrar
- Electrician Licence — Class ACarry out all electrical wiring work in the ACT
- Electrician Licence — Class BLimited electrical work (maintenance and repairs)
- Electrical Contractor LicenceContract for electrical work in the ACT
NT
Northern Territory
NT WorkSafe
- Electrical Contractor LicenceContract for electrical work in the NT
- Electrical Worker LicenceCarry out electrical work under a contractor
Builder
Licence types across 8 states and territories
QLD
Queensland
Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC)
- Builder — OpenUnrestricted building work including residential and commercial
- Builder — Medium RiseBuilding work up to 3 storeys
- Builder — Low RiseBuilding work up to 2 storeys
NSW
New South Wales
NSW Fair Trading
- General Building Contractor LicenceAll types of residential building work
- Specialist Contractor LicenceSpecific categories of building work (e.g. swimming pools, kitchens)
- Tradesperson CertificateCarry out building work under a contractor licence holder
VIC
Victoria
Victorian Building Authority (VBA)
- Registered Domestic Builder — UnlimitedAll domestic building work with no value limit
- Registered Domestic Builder — LimitedDomestic building work up to a specified value
- Registered Commercial BuilderCommercial building work
WA
Western Australia
Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS)
- Building Contractor Registration — UnrestrictedAll types of residential and commercial building work
- Building Contractor Registration — Group 1 (Houses)Residential building work up to 3 storeys
- Building Contractor Registration — Group 2 (Alterations)Alteration and renovation work on existing buildings
SA
South Australia
Consumer and Business Services SA
- Building Work Contractor Licence — GeneralGeneral building work in SA
- Building Work Contractor Licence — SpecialistSpecific categories of building work
- Building Work Supervisor RegistrationSupervise building work carried out by others
TAS
Tasmania
Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (CBOS)
- Builder Contractor Licence — OpenAll types of building work in Tasmania
- Builder Contractor Licence — LimitedBuilding work up to a specified value
- Builder Practitioner LicenceCarry out building work under a contractor
ACT
Australian Capital Territory
ACT Construction Occupations Registrar
- Builder Licence — Class AAll building work including multi-storey construction
- Builder Licence — Class BBuilding work up to 2 storeys
- Builder Licence — Class CLimited building work (e.g. alterations and additions)
NT
Northern Territory
NT Building Practitioners Board
- Building Contractor Registration — OpenAll types of building work in the NT
- Building Contractor Registration — LimitedSpecific categories of building work
Carpenter
Licence types across 8 states and territories
QLD
Queensland
Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC)
- CarpenterGeneral carpentry including framing, formwork, and finishing
- Carpenter and JoinerCarpentry and joinery work including cabinetry and fitouts
- JoinerJoinery and cabinet-making work
NSW
New South Wales
NSW Fair Trading
- Carpentry Contractor LicenceContract for residential carpentry work over $5,000
- Carpentry Tradesperson CertificateCarry out carpentry work under a licensed contractor
VIC
Victoria
Victorian Building Authority (VBA)
- Registered Domestic Builder — CarpenterCarpentry building work in domestic settings
- Registered Building Practitioner — CarpenterCarry out carpentry as part of domestic building work
WA
Western Australia
Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS)
- Building Service Contractor Registration — CarpentryContract for carpentry work in WA
- Building Service Practitioner Registration — CarpentryCarry out carpentry work under a contractor
SA
South Australia
Consumer and Business Services SA
- Building Work Contractor Licence — CarpentryContract for carpentry building work in SA
- Building Work Supervisor Registration — CarpentrySupervise carpentry work
TAS
Tasmania
Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (CBOS)
- Building Contractor Licence — CarpentryContract for carpentry work in Tasmania
- Building Practitioner Licence — CarpentryCarry out carpentry work under a contractor
ACT
Australian Capital Territory
ACT Construction Occupations Registrar
- Builder Licence — Carpentry (Class C)Carpentry work as part of building construction in the ACT
NT
Northern Territory
NT Building Practitioners Board
- Building Contractor Registration — CarpentryContract for carpentry work in the NT
Roofer
Licence types across 8 states and territories
QLD
Queensland
Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC)
- Roof TilerInstallation and repair of roof tiles (concrete, terracotta, slate)
- Roof and Wall CladderInstallation of metal roof sheeting and wall cladding
- Roof PlumberInstallation of gutters, downpipes, fascia, and roof drainage
NSW
New South Wales
NSW Fair Trading
- Roofing Contractor LicenceContract for roof tiling, metal roofing, and roof plumbing
- Roofing Tradesperson CertificateCarry out roofing work under a licensed contractor
VIC
Victoria
Victorian Building Authority (VBA)
- Registered Domestic Builder — RoofingRoof tiling, metal roofing, and associated work on domestic buildings
- Registered Plumber — Roof PlumberRoof plumbing (gutters, downpipes, flashings) on all buildings
WA
Western Australia
Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS)
- Building Service Contractor Registration — RoofingContract for roofing work in WA
- Building Service Practitioner Registration — RoofingCarry out roofing work under a contractor
SA
South Australia
Consumer and Business Services SA
- Building Work Contractor Licence — RoofingContract for roofing work in SA
- Building Work Supervisor Registration — RoofingSupervise roofing work
TAS
Tasmania
Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (CBOS)
- Building Contractor Licence — RoofingContract for roofing work in Tasmania
- Building Practitioner Licence — RoofingCarry out roofing work under a contractor
ACT
Australian Capital Territory
ACT Construction Occupations Registrar
- Builder Licence — RoofingRoofing work as part of building construction in the ACT
- Plumber Licence — Roof PlumberRoof plumbing work (gutters, downpipes, flashings)
NT
Northern Territory
NT Building Practitioners Board
- Building Contractor Registration — RoofingContract for roofing work in the NT
Air Conditioning Technician
Licence types across 8 states and territories
QLD
Queensland
Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC)
- Mechanical Services — Air-conditioning and RefrigerationInstallation, maintenance, and repair of air-conditioning and refrigeration systems
- Refrigerant Handling Licence (ARCtick)Required to purchase and handle fluorocarbon refrigerants
NSW
New South Wales
NSW Fair Trading
- Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Contractor LicenceContract for air-conditioning installation and maintenance
- Tradesperson Certificate — Air ConditioningCarry out air-conditioning work under a contractor
- Refrigerant Handling Licence (ARCtick)Handle and work with fluorocarbon refrigerants
VIC
Victoria
Australian Refrigeration Council (ARCtick) / VBA
- Refrigerant Handling Licence (ARCtick)Handle and work with fluorocarbon refrigerants — federally mandated
- Registered Domestic Builder — Mechanical (optional)VBA registration for mechanical services as part of domestic building work
WA
Western Australia
Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS)
- Building Service Contractor Registration — Air ConditioningContract for air-conditioning work in WA
- Refrigerant Handling Licence (ARCtick)Handle and work with fluorocarbon refrigerants
SA
South Australia
Consumer and Business Services SA
- Building Work Contractor Licence — MechanicalContract for air-conditioning installation as building work in SA
- Refrigerant Handling Licence (ARCtick)Handle and work with fluorocarbon refrigerants
TAS
Tasmania
Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (CBOS)
- Building Contractor Licence — Mechanical ServicesContract for air-conditioning work in Tasmania
- Refrigerant Handling Licence (ARCtick)Handle and work with fluorocarbon refrigerants
ACT
Australian Capital Territory
ACT Construction Occupations Registrar
- Construction Occupation Licence — Mechanical ServicesCarry out mechanical services including air-conditioning in the ACT
- Refrigerant Handling Licence (ARCtick)Handle and work with fluorocarbon refrigerants
NT
Northern Territory
NT Building Practitioners Board
- Building Contractor Registration — Mechanical ServicesContract for air-conditioning work in the NT
- Refrigerant Handling Licence (ARCtick)Handle and work with fluorocarbon refrigerants
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