Checking a tradie's licence takes a couple of minutes and is one of the most useful things you can do before you hire. A current licence or registration tells you the person has met their regulator's requirements for that kind of work, and it gives you somewhere to turn if something goes wrong.
The catch is that Australia doesn't have one national register. Each state and territory runs its own, and electricians are often licensed by a different body from builders and plumbers. This guide shows you where to look in each part of the country.
Before you search: get the right details
Ask the tradie for their licence or registration number and the name the licence is held in (a person or a company). Many tradies put their number on quotes, invoices, vans and websites. If someone won't give you a number for licensed work, treat that as a red flag.
When you find the record, check that:
- the name matches the person or business you're dealing with
- the licence is current, not expired, suspended or cancelled
- the licence class covers the type of work you need (a licence for one trade doesn't automatically cover another)
- there are no conditions that rule out your job
New South Wales
NSW Fair Trading licences builders, electricians, plumbers and a range of other trades. Search by name or licence number on the NSW Government Verify licence check, which shows licence status, class and conditions.
Victoria
In Victoria, builders and plumbers are registered or licensed by the Building and Plumbing Commission, which used to be the Victorian Building Authority. Use the BPC's Find and check a practitioner page to check registration status, what work the person can do, and any conditions. The same page links to a register of disciplinary and prosecution action.
Electricians are licensed by Energy Safe Victoria. Search the Energy Safe Victoria public registers for registered electrical contractors. Energy Safe also suggests asking to see the electrician's licence card before work starts.
Queensland
Building work in Queensland is licensed by the QBCC, and you can search for a contractor on the QBCC register search. Electrical work is regulated separately by the Electrical Safety Office. Check an electrical contractor licence number with the Electrical Safety Office licence search.
Western Australia
WA's Building and Energy licenses electricians, plumbers and gas fitters, and registers builders and painters. One Online Licence Search covers all of them. Building and Energy doesn't publish trading names, so search for the person or company that holds the licence and check that the number and licence type match.
South Australia
Consumer and Business Services (CBS) licenses builders, plumbers, gas fitters and electricians in SA. Search by licence number, surname or trading name on the CBS find a licence holder page, or ask the tradie to show you their licence card or digital licence.
Tasmania
Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (CBOS) handles licensing in Tasmania. Use CBOS's find a licensed tradesperson search for builders, electricians, plumbers, gas fitters and other licensed occupations.
Australian Capital Territory
Access Canberra keeps the ACT's construction and trades licence records. Go to the Access Canberra public registers and choose the register for builders, electricians, plumbers or gas fitters.
Northern Territory
The NT has separate registers for each trade:
- Builders: the Building Practitioners Board public register
- Electricians: NT WorkSafe's licensed electrical contractor list
- Plumbers and drainers: the Plumbers and Drainers Licensing Board
Which trades need a licence?
Electrical work and plumbing work need a licensed tradesperson in every state and territory. For builders, carpenters, painters, tilers and other trades, the rules depend on your state, the type of work and often its value. A job that needs a licence in one state might not in another.
If you're unsure, check your state regulator's website, or simply ask the tradie what licence they hold and then look it up. For trades that don't need a licence, such as dog groomers, ask about their experience and insurance instead.
Other checks worth doing
A licence check is a great start, but it isn't the whole picture. Before you agree to a job:
- Check the ABN. Search the business name or number on ABN Lookup to confirm it's active and matches who you're dealing with.
- Ask about insurance. Ask whether they hold public liability insurance and, for larger building jobs, whether any home warranty or domestic building insurance is required in your state.
- Get it in writing. Ask for a written quote that sets out labour, materials and GST, and get a written contract for bigger jobs.
- Compare quotes. Getting two or three quotes helps you understand what's fair for your job and area.
Find a licensed tradie near you
On Find My Tradie you can browse local electricians, plumbers, builders, carpenters and painters by suburb, then run the checks above before you book. Prices vary between jobs and areas, so it's always worth getting a few written quotes.
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Frequently asked questions
Is there a national register for tradie licences in Australia?
No. Each state and territory runs its own registers, and electricians are often licensed by a different regulator from builders and plumbers. Check the register for the state where the work is being done.
What if I can't find my tradie on the register?
Check the spelling and try the licence number, the person's name and the company name. The licence may be held by the company rather than the individual. If you still can't find it, ask the tradie for details or contact the regulator before any work starts.
Can an interstate tradie work in my state?
Often, yes. Automatic mutual recognition lets many licensed tradies work in other states, but conditions apply and some need to notify the local regulator first. Check with the regulator in the state where the work will happen.
Does a handyman need a licence?
It depends on the job and your state. Small jobs may not need one, but electrical and plumbing work always needs a licensed tradie, and larger building work often does too. Ask what licence they hold and check it.
This guide is general information only, not legal or financial advice. Rules change, so check the official sources linked above for your state.