Do carpenters need a licence for small jobs?

Hanging a door, fixing a squeaky stair, building a small deck or putting up a pergola can all look like small jobs. Many homeowners assume a carpenter doesn't need a licence for that kind of work. Sometimes that's true, but in several states the answer depends on the value of the job and what it involves.

This guide gives a general overview of carpentry licensing in the larger states, with links to the official sources, plus the checks worth running on any carpenter. Rules change, so confirm the current position with your state regulator before relying on it for a specific job.

New South Wales

NSW treats carpentry as licensed trade work. The NSW Government's carpentry work page says you need a contractor licence to do residential building or trade work, including carpentry, valued at more than $5,000 in labour and materials (including GST). A licence is also needed to advertise or contract for that work, not just to do it.

The same page describes carpentry broadly. It covers timber framing and fixing things like stairs, windows, doors, floors and wallboards. It can also include exterior wall cladding, footings for pergolas, timber decks and fencing, and non-habitable outdoor structures like pergolas and gazebos. Garages, sheds and carports aren't included in carpentry and fall under general building work instead.

The NSW Government's guide to checking your contractor is qualified explains how to look up a licence. The check shows the holder's name, licence categories and status, and any conditions, cancellations or public warnings.

What about jobs under the threshold?

A job worth less than the NSW threshold may not need a licence. That doesn't make the carpenter any less responsible for doing the work properly. Ask for a written quote anyway, and be wary if a bigger job is split into several small quotes.

Queensland

The QBCC's when you need a licence page says individuals and companies must hold a QBCC licence to carry out building work valued over $3,300.

QBCC has a dedicated carpentry licence class. Its scope includes wall and roof framing, installing windows and doors, timber and sheet flooring, exterior cladding, timber stairs, and internal linings and mouldings. Before you sign, search the carpenter's name or licence number on the QBCC register and make sure the licence class matches the job. Our guide on how to check a QBCC licence walks through it.

Victoria

Consumer Affairs Victoria's page on becoming a registered building practitioner says you must register with the Building and Plumbing Commission if you work in domestic building and handle a contract worth more than $10,000.

That page lists some single-trade jobs, such as tiling, painting and plastering, that don't need registration. Carpentry isn't on that list. So a carpenter contracting for domestic building work worth more than that amount will generally need to be registered. Smaller carpentry jobs may not need registration, but the other checks below still apply.

Western Australia

WA doesn't have a separate carpenter's licence. The WA Government's building contractor registration page says individuals, partnerships and companies that contract to provide building work valued over $20,000 must be registered as a building contractor. That applies to work that needs a building permit and is within the board's area of jurisdiction.

For most small carpentry jobs in WA, your checks will mostly be about the business itself rather than a licence.

South Australia, Tasmania, the ACT and the Northern Territory

In South Australia, the SA Government's building work contractor's licence page explains that people who run a business carrying out or organising building work for others must be licensed as building work contractors. Whether your carpentry job falls within this depends on the work, so check with Consumer and Business Services if you're unsure.

Tasmania, the ACT and the Northern Territory each have their own building licensing systems. Rules for carpentry can depend on the type and size of the work, so check with the local regulator before you sign anything significant. Our guide to checking a tradie's licence in every state links to each register.

Permits are a separate question

A licence is about who can do the work. A building permit or approval is about whether the work itself needs sign-off. Decks, pergolas and structural changes may need approval depending on their size, height and location, even when the carpenter is licensed. Ask your carpenter or local council early so the job isn't held up.

What to check whatever state you're in

These checks only take a few minutes and are worth doing for any carpentry job:

1. Licence or registration. Where one applies, ask for the number and look it up on the official register. Make sure the name matches the business on your quote.
2. ABN. Confirm the business is active using our guide to checking a tradie's ABN.
3. Insurance. Ask for a current public liability certificate. Here's why public liability insurance matters.
4. A detailed written quote. It should cover timber and materials, hardware, labour, rubbish removal and who arranges any permits.
5. Deposits. Keep the deposit reasonable and tie payments to finished stages. Our guide to deposits and progress payments explains how.

For more on picking the right person, read how to choose a carpenter for a deck or pergola.

Finding a carpenter near you

When you're ready, search Find My Tradie's carpenters directory to find local businesses and contact them directly. You can also start with carpenters in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne or Perth. Get two or three written quotes and run the checks above before you decide.

Find carpenters in your area

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.