Trade Licence Requirements by State

No, not all trades require a licence in every state. However, high-risk trades such as plumbing, electrical, and building work require licensing in all states and territories. Other trades like carpentry and painting may only need a licence in some states or above certain project values. Requirements vary significantly between states — always check the specific rules for your state and trade.

No, trade licences are issued by individual states and territories and are generally not automatically recognised in other jurisdictions. However, Australia has Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRA) that allow licensed tradespeople to apply for an equivalent licence in another state through a streamlined process. You'll still need to apply and meet any additional local requirements.

Licence costs vary considerably by state and trade. Application fees typically range from $200 to $2,000, with annual renewal fees of similar amounts. Some states charge based on licence class or the scope of work covered. Many licences also require current public liability insurance, which is an additional ongoing cost. Check the specific state and trade combination for accurate pricing.

Most trade licences in Australia require completion of a relevant Certificate III or IV qualification (obtained through a TAFE or registered training organisation) and a completed apprenticeship of 3-4 years. Some trades also require specific practical assessments, ongoing continuing professional development (CPD), and current public liability insurance. Requirements vary by state and trade type.

Hiring an unlicensed tradesperson can leave you without consumer protections. Unlicensed work may void your home insurance, and you could be ineligible for statutory warranty protections. The tradesperson faces fines ranging from $5,000 to over $100,000 depending on the state. In some jurisdictions, you may also be fined for knowingly engaging an unlicensed worker for regulated work.

Each state has an official online register where you can search for licensed tradespeople. For example, QBCC in Queensland, NSW Fair Trading in New South Wales, and VBA in Victoria all offer free online licence verification tools. You can also use our free Licence Search tool to check a tradesperson's credentials directly.