Plain-English guide
Tradie licences & insurance: what to check before you hire
Hiring an unlicensed tradie for licensed work can be illegal, dangerous, and can even void your home insurance. Here's which trades must be licensed, how to verify it in 60 seconds, and the insurance a genuine operator should carry.
Which trades need a licence?
Licensing in Australia is set by each state and territory, and it varies by trade. But the pattern is consistent across the country: the trades where bad work can kill or cause serious damage are tightly licensed, and the finishing trades are lighter-touch.
| Trade | Licensing (general pattern across AU) |
|---|---|
| Electrician | Always licensed — mandatory in every state. Never hire an unlicensed electrician. |
| Plumber / gasfitter | Always licensed — mandatory in every state, including gas work. |
| Builder | Registration required above a set job value (varies by state, often a few thousand dollars). |
| Air conditioning | Refrigerant work needs an ARCtick licence; the electrical connection needs a licensed electrician. |
| Carpenter / tiler / painter | Generally not licensed as a trade, though building registration can apply to larger structural work. |
| Landscaper / concreter | Generally not licensed, but structural elements (retaining walls, drainage) may need engineering or permits. |
How to verify a licence in 60 seconds
Every state runs a free public register. Search the tradie's name, business name, or licence number and confirm the licence is current and covers the class of work you need — a licence to do one kind of electrical work doesn't automatically cover everything.
The registers: Victorian Building Authority (VIC), NSW Fair Trading (NSW), QBCC (QLD), Building and Energy (WA), Consumer and Business Services (SA), CBOS (TAS), Access Canberra (ACT), and NT's licensing body. It takes under a minute, and it's the single most valuable check you can make.
The ABN check (and why it matters)
Every legitimate trade business has an Australian Business Number. Checking it on the free ABN Lookup tells you the business is real, registered, and how long it's been trading — a business that's been active for years is a lower risk than one registered last month.
It's also your protection: a written quote and invoice with a valid ABN gives you a paper trail if something goes wrong. No ABN, cash-only, no paperwork is a combination worth walking away from. On this directory, tradies showing an 'ABN Verified' badge have had their ABN checked automatically against the national register.
The insurance a tradie should carry
- Public liability
Covers damage to your property (or a neighbour's) and injury to others while they work. Every tradie should have it — commonly $5–20 million cover. Ask to see the certificate.
- Home warranty / builder's insurance
For larger domestic building work, most states legally require the builder to take out warranty insurance that protects you if they don't finish or the work is defective. It's usually mandatory above a set value.
- Workers' compensation
If the tradie has employees, they must carry it — so an injury on your property isn't your problem.
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Post your job — freeCommon questions
Do plumbers and electricians have to be licensed in Australia?
Yes, in every state and territory. Electrical work and plumbing/gas work are legally restricted to licensed practitioners — hiring someone unlicensed is illegal, unsafe, and can void your home insurance. Always verify the licence on your state's register before work begins.
How do I check a tradie's ABN?
Search the free ABN Lookup (abr.business.gov.au) using the business name or ABN. It confirms the business is registered, its GST status, and how long it's been active. On this directory, an 'ABN Verified' badge means we've already checked it against the national register.
What insurance should a tradie have?
At minimum, public liability insurance (covering damage to your property). For larger building jobs, home warranty/builder's insurance is often legally required, and any tradie with employees must carry workers' compensation. Ask to see certificates in writing.
Is it illegal to do your own electrical or plumbing work?
Largely, yes. DIY electrical and plumbing/gas work is heavily restricted across Australia — most of it must be done by a licensed practitioner. Beyond the legal risk, unlicensed work can void insurance and create serious safety hazards. Minor exceptions (like changing a tap washer) vary by state.
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General information only, not legal advice. Licensing and insurance requirements vary by state and territory and change over time — always confirm current requirements with your state regulator and get professional advice before acting.