How to check a builder's licence in NSW

Before you hire a builder for a renovation, extension or new home in NSW, spend a few minutes checking their licence. A current contractor licence is one of the clearest signs you're dealing with someone allowed to contract for the work, and the NSW Government makes the check free online.

This guide shows you how to check a builder's licence, what the results mean and what else to look at before you sign.

Why checking matters

A current licence tells you the builder has met the NSW requirements for the licence category shown. Checking also helps you spot:

• licences that have expired, been suspended or cancelled
• a licence held in a different name from the person or company quoting you
• licence categories that don't cover the work you need
• conditions, public warnings or other compliance details on the record

Hiring someone who isn't properly licensed for residential building work can leave you with fewer options if something goes wrong.

When does a builder need a licence in NSW?

The NSW Government explains that a licence is required for residential building work valued at more than $5,000 (including GST) in labour and materials, and for all specialist work regardless of cost, on its page about checking your contractor or tradesperson is qualified. Specialist work includes electrical wiring, plumbing, drainage, gasfitting, and air conditioning and refrigeration work (except plug-in appliances).

Rules can change, so check the official page for how they apply to your job.

Step 1: Get the builder's details

Ask the builder for:

• their licence number
• the name the licence is held in (an individual, company or partnership)

By law, contractors generally need to show their licence number on advertising and paperwork. If someone won't give you a licence number for building work that needs one, treat that as a red flag.

Step 2: Search the licence check

Use Service NSW's Check a builder or tradesperson licence tool. You can search by:

• licensee name
• licence number
• licence type
• ABN or ACN
• location (suburb, postcode or local government area)

Open the matching record and read the details carefully.

Step 3: Read the results carefully

When you open a record, check:

• Status: Is the licence current? Expired, suspended or cancelled licences mean the person or company shouldn't be contracting for that work.
• Name: Does it match the person or business on your quote and contract? A licence in an individual's name does not automatically cover a company or partnership contracting with you — the company or partnership generally needs its own contractor licence.
• Categories: Does the licence cover the type of work you want done (for example general building work)?
• Expiry date: Is it due to expire before your job finishes?
• Conditions and history: Look for conditions on the licence, public warnings, cautions or other compliance information shown on the check.

The NSW Government summarises what the licence check can show on its checking your contractor or tradesperson is qualified page.

Step 4: Check home building compensation for bigger jobs

For many residential building jobs valued at $20,000 or more (including GST), the builder must have home building compensation (HBC) cover and give you a certificate before taking any money (including a deposit) or starting work. Service NSW explains when cover is required and how to use the free Home Building Compensation (HBC) Check.

Ask for the certificate, check that the contractor name matches your contract, and confirm it on the HBC Check. For more background, see our guide to home warranty insurance.

Step 5: Contracts, deposits and other checks

For residential building work over $5,000 including GST, NSW home building law generally requires a written contract, and deposits are capped. The NSW Government explains the contract rules and that a deposit can't be more than 10% of the contract price on its contracts for residential building work page. Check the official page for how these rules apply to your job, as they may change.

Also:

• ABN: Look up the business on ABN Lookup and check it matches the quote.
• Insurance: Ask about public liability insurance as well as HBC where it applies.
• Written quotes: Get two or three detailed written quotes based on the same scope or plans.
• Reviews and past work: Look for genuine reviews and ask about recent projects.

The NSW Government also has a useful list of questions to ask before hiring a tradesperson or builder.

What if the licence doesn't check out?

If you can't find the builder, the details don't match or the licence isn't current, don't sign or pay a deposit. Ask the builder to explain. If you're not satisfied, find someone else.

If you have concerns about unlicensed work or a builder's conduct, you can contact NSW Fair Trading or the Building Commission NSW.

Keep good records

Keep a simple file for every job: the quote, the contract, the licence screenshot, the HBC certificate if one applies, invoices, receipts, photos before and after, and any approvals or compliance paperwork. Note the dates of key conversations too. If a problem comes up later, good records make it much easier to sort out with the business, your insurer or a regulator.

Other states

Builder licensing is handled by different regulators around Australia. For example, Victoria uses the Building and Plumbing Commission and Queensland uses the QBCC. See our guide to checking a tradie's licence in every state for links to every official register, or our guides on checking a builder's registration in Victoria and checking a QBCC licence.

Find a builder

Browse builders near you, or see builders in Sydney.

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Frequently asked questions

This guide is general information only, not legal or financial advice. Rules change, so check the official sources linked above for your state.