Before you hire a tradie in South Australia, take a few minutes to check their licence. Consumer and Business Services (CBS) licences builders, plumbers, electricians, gas fitters and many other occupations, and it publishes a free public register you can search online.
This guide covers who needs what, how to search, what to look for and the other checks that help protect you.
Who licences tradies in South Australia?
In South Australia, Consumer and Business Services (CBS) is the main occupational licensing body for building and trade work. On its Find a licence holder page, CBS lists licence holders you can search for, including:
- builders
- plumbers
- electricians
- gas fitters
SA.GOV.AU also explains that the same public register covers these trades (plus other occupations such as conveyancers and security agents). For solar work, a builders or electricians licence may be required depending on the job — check the official guidance for your project.
Asbestos removal is handled separately. SA.GOV.AU points readers to SafeWork SA for asbestos removal licence holders.
Contractor licence vs worker registration
South Australia often splits “who you hire” from “who does the work”, especially for plumbing, gas fitting and electrical (PGE) work.
According to SA.GOV.AU’s PGE licensing page:
- Contractor’s licence: individuals (including partners) and companies need a plumbing, gas fitting or electrical contractor’s licence if they run a business that carries out or organises that type of work.
- Worker registration: the person doing the physical trade work also needs to be registered as a plumber, gas fitter or electrician.
A sole trader may hold both. A company quoting you should hold the contractor licence, and the person on site should hold the matching registration.
For building work, SA.GOV.AU’s building work contractor’s licence page says individuals and businesses must be licensed as building contractors (including subcontractors) if they carry out or organise building work for others. Building work must also be supervised by a registered building work supervisor.
CBS’s building licences FAQ notes that building work contractor licence numbers start with BLD, and that licence holders must display that number on advertisements and on contracts for domestic building work.
Step 1: Get the details
Ask for:
- the licence or registration number
- the exact name the licence is held in (person or company)
- for building work, the supervisor details if a company is quoting
CBS says licensed tradespeople must display their licence number on advertising, including websites, social media and business cards. If someone won’t give you a number for licensed work, treat that as a red flag.
CBS’s Always use a licensed plumber campaign also notes that straightforward plumbing jobs need a plumber’s licence, while major renovation work such as a new bathroom or kitchen generally needs a builder’s licence so someone can coordinate the whole job.
Step 2: Search the CBS register
Go to CBS’s Find a licence holder page, or use the SA.GOV.AU licence check page, which explains how the register works.
SA.GOV.AU says you’ll need either:
- the licence number, or
- the surname or trading name of the service supplier
The licence number is usually the most reliable search. Open the matching record and read it carefully.
You can also ask to see their digital licence on a phone or tablet (via the mySAGOV app, as explained on SA.GOV.AU) or their plastic licence card, then confirm the same details on the public register. CBS also takes licence check calls on 131 882.
Step 3: Read the results carefully
On the record, check:
- Status: Is the licence or registration current? Don’t proceed if it’s suspended, cancelled or missing.
- Name: Does it match the quote, invoice and ABN?
- Type: Does it cover the work you need (plumber vs builder vs electrician, contractor vs worker)?
- Conditions: Building licences can limit the type of work, building height or other conditions. Don’t hire someone whose conditions don’t fit your job.
Step 4: Do the other checks
A licence check is essential, but it’s not the only step:
- ABN: Look up the business on ABN Lookup and make sure it matches the quote.
- Insurance: Ask whether the business holds public liability insurance and ask to see evidence. For many larger domestic building jobs, building indemnity insurance may also apply — ask the builder and check current CBS guidance for your contract value.
- Written quote: Get the scope, materials, labour, GST and any extras in writing. CBS recommends comparing quotes from three businesses for plumbing work where you can.
- Deposits: CBS advises not paying too much up front. For smaller jobs, payment at the end is common. For bigger plumbing jobs it recommends a maximum 10% deposit. For major building projects, CBS sets out legal deposit limits (for example a maximum of $1,000 for contracts between $12,000 and under $20,000, and a maximum of 5% for contracts of $20,000 or more) — confirm the current rules on the official CBS campaign or building pages before you pay.
- Reviews: Look for genuine reviews and ask about similar recent jobs. CBS warns that door-to-door traders are a red flag.
What if the licence doesn’t check out?
If you can’t find the person or company, the names don’t match or the status isn’t current, don’t sign or pay. Ask them to explain. If you’re still not satisfied, find someone else.
On its Always use a licensed plumber campaign page, CBS says anyone who operates without a licence, or works outside their licence conditions, could face penalties of up to $20,000, and asks consumers to report unlicensed tradies.
If you have a dispute about building or trade work, contact CBS on 131 882 for guidance on your next steps.
Keep good records
Keep a simple folder for every job: the quote or contract, licence screenshots, invoices, photos before and after, and any certificates the tradie issues. Note key dates. If a problem comes up later, good records make it much easier to sort out with the business, your insurer or CBS.
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Frequently asked questions
Who licences tradies in South Australia?
Consumer and Business Services (CBS) licences builders, plumbers, electricians, gas fitters and other occupations. You can search them on the CBS licensing register.
Where do I check a SA tradie online?
Use CBS’s Find a licence holder page, or follow the steps on SA.GOV.AU’s licence check page. Search by licence number, surname or trading name.
What’s the difference between a contractor licence and a worker registration?
For plumbing, gas fitting and electrical work, the business generally needs a contractor’s licence, and the person doing the physical work needs a worker registration. A sole trader may hold both. Check both when you hire.
Do I need a builder’s licence for a bathroom reno?
CBS says straightforward plumbing jobs need a plumber’s licence, but major renovation work such as a new bathroom or kitchen generally needs a builder’s licence so someone can coordinate the whole process. Confirm what your job needs before you hire.
Can I check a digital licence?
Yes. SA.GOV.AU explains that occupational licences can be shown in the mySAGOV app. Still confirm the same details on the public register, and ask to see the plastic card if you prefer.
This guide is general information only, not legal or financial advice. Rules change, so check the official sources linked above for your state.