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How to Check if a Tradesperson Is Licensed in Australia
Checking whether a tradesperson is licensed takes less than two minutes and can save you thousands of dollars, protect your home insurance, and ensure your safety. Every Australian state and territory has a free online tool for verifying trade licences, and there is no excuse for not using them before hiring.
Using an unlicensed tradesperson for work that legally requires a licence is not just risky — it can void your home insurance, leave you liable for defective work, create safety hazards, and result in fines. Yet according to NSW Fair Trading, thousands of Australians fall victim to unlicensed operators each year.
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Contents
- Which Trades Require a Licence?
- State-by-State Licence Check Tools
- What a Licence Actually Covers
- How to Verify on Mozome
- What Happens if You Use an Unlicensed Tradesperson
- Insurance and Compliance Certificates
- Frequently Asked Questions
Which Trades Require a Licence?
In Australia, the following trades always require a licence regardless of the job size: plumbing, electrical, gas fitting, air conditioning and refrigeration (where refrigerant handling is involved), and building work above the threshold amount (typically $1,000 to $5,000 depending on the state). Some states also licence specific trades like waterproofing, underpinning, and demolition.
Trades that generally do not require a licence include cleaning, gardening and lawn mowing (general maintenance), painting (below threshold amounts in most states), handyman work (within scope limits), and pest control (though some states require registration). Even for unlicensed trades, always check for public liability insurance.
State-by-State Licence Check Tools
How to Check Trade Licences in Every State
State-by-state trade licence verification tools across Australia.
| State | Regulator | Online Tool | What You Need |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | NSW Fair Trading | fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/licence-check | Licence number or name |
| VIC | Victorian Building Authority | vba.vic.gov.au/find-a-builder | Name or registration number |
| QLD | QBCC | qbcc.qld.gov.au/check-licence | Licence number or name |
| WA | Building and Energy WA | dmirs.wa.gov.au/building-energy | Name or licence number |
| SA | Consumer and Business Services SA | cbs.sa.gov.au | Name or licence number |
| TAS | Consumer Building and Occupational Services | cbos.tas.gov.au | Name or licence number |
| ACT | Access Canberra | accesscanberra.act.gov.au | Name or licence number |
| NT | NT Licensing Commission | licensingcommission.nt.gov.au | Name or licence number |
What a Licence Actually Covers
A trade licence confirms that the holder has completed the required training and qualifications, has met any experience requirements, is covered by the appropriate insurance (in some states), and is authorised to perform specific types of work. Licences may be restricted to certain categories — for example, a plumber may hold a licence for sanitary plumbing but not gas fitting. Always check that the licence covers the specific type of work you need done.
How to Verify on Mozome
On Mozome, all service providers undergo verification before they can accept bookings. For licensed trades, this includes confirming their licence number with the relevant state authority, verifying the licence covers the services they offer on the platform, and checking that the licence is current and not suspended. This means when you book a plumber, electrician, or builder through Mozome, the licence verification has already been done for you. You can see the verification badge on their profile along with their ratings and reviews.
What Happens if You Use an Unlicensed Tradesperson
The consequences of using an unlicensed tradesperson can be severe. Your home insurance may not cover damage caused by unlicensed work. You have no access to state warranty and insurance schemes that protect consumers when licensed builders go bankrupt or disappear. Faulty electrical or gas work can create fire and explosion risks. Unapproved plumbing can contaminate water supplies. The work may not comply with building codes, creating problems when you sell. In some states, the homeowner can also be fined for knowingly engaging an unlicensed person.
Real Cost of Unlicensed Work: A NSW homeowner hired an unlicensed plumber who botched a bathroom renovation. The waterproofing failed within six months, causing $35,000 in water damage to the floor below. The home insurance claim was denied because the work was done by an unlicensed operator. The homeowner had to pay for remediation and a new bathroom out of pocket. Two minutes of licence checking would have prevented the entire situation.
Insurance and Compliance Certificates
Beyond the licence itself, ask for proof of public liability insurance (minimum $5 million is standard in Australia), and ensure the tradesperson provides a Certificate of Compliance (or equivalent) for all completed work. This certificate is your proof that the work meets Australian standards and is essential for insurance claims and future property sales. Keep all certificates with your property records.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Articles
Sources & References
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