Plumbing, Draining & Gasfitting Licensing Requirements by State

New South Wales (NSW)

• In NSW, a licence is mandatory for all plumbing, draining, and gasfitting work (including LP gasfitting), regardless of the job’s cost or whether it is residential, commercial, or industrial.
• Licensing Authority: Fair Trading

Queensland (QLD)

• All individuals and companies must hold a valid licence to perform any plumbing, drainage, or gasfitting work in QLD.
• Licensing Authority: Queensland Building and Construction Commission(QBCC)

Victoria (VIC)

• Plumbers in VIC must be either licensed or registered to undertake any plumbing work. If the work exceeds $750 in value, the plumber must provide a compliance certificate confirming adherence to regulations.
• Licensing Authority: Victorian Building Authority (VBA)

Western Australia (WA)

• In WA, all plumbing, drainage, and gasfitting work requires a valid licence. There are six licence categories, and plumbers can only work within the scope of their specific licence.
• Licensing Authority: Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS)

South Australia (SA)

• Plumbers and gas fitters in SA must hold a contractor’s licence to offer services. Additionally, anyone personally performing plumbing work, including builders, must obtain worker’s registration.
• Licensing Authority: SA Consumer and Business Services

Northern Territory (NT)

• Only plumbers with an Advanced Tradesman Licence issued by the Board can contract for and perform plumbing and drainage work. While they can supervise apprentices and trades assistants, they cannot certify plumbing work unless also registered as a Certifying Plumber and Drainer.
• Licensing Authority: NT Plumbers and Drainers Licensing Board

Tasmania (TAS)

A licence is required to undertake plumbing work in TAS, even for employees working in plumbing businesses. Licences fall into three categories:

• Practitioner Licence (WSDR): Required to carry out plumbing work.
• Contractor Licence: Required to offer plumbing services to the public, businesses, or government.
• Provisional Licence: Issued only to overseas applicants.
• Licensing Authority: TAS Consumer, Building and Occupational Services

Electrical Wiring Licensing Requirements by State

NSW

• In New South Wales, an electrical licence is mandatory for any electrical wiring work, regardless of the project's cost or whether it is residential, commercial, or industrial.
• Licences are issued by NSW Fair Trading.

QLD

• In Queensland, businesses offering electrical work services must hold an electrical contractor licence.
• Licences are issued by the QLD Electrical Safety Office..

VIC

• In Victoria, only registered electrical contractors are permitted to perform electrical work.
• Upon completing any electrical installation, a licensed electrician must provide a Certificate of Electrical Safety.
• Licences are issued by Energy Safe Victoria.

WA

• In Western Australia, electrical work can only be conducted by individuals holding the appropriate electrical worker’s licence, except for minor work that is exempt from regulation.
• Licences are issued by the WA Electrical Licensing Board..

SA

• In South Australia, anyone offering electrical services—whether as an individual, business, or company—must be licensed as a contractor. Additionally, individuals, including builders, must hold a worker’s registration to personally carry out electrical work.
• Licences are issued by SA Consumer and Business Services.

NT

• In the Northern Territory, electrical workers and contractors must obtain a licence and meet specific requirements before performing any electrical work.
• Licences are issued by the NT Electrical Contractors & Licensing Board..

TAS

• In Tasmania, all practitioners and contractors intending to undertake electrical work must be licensed.
• Licences are issued by TAS Consumer, Building & Occupational Services.

Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Licensing Requirements by State

In all states, individuals performing work related to refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) equipment must hold a Refrigerant and Handling Licence. This applies to any task involving fluorocarbon refrigerants or RAC equipment components where there is a risk of refrigerant emission, including:

• Decanting refrigerant
• Manufacturing, installing, commissioning, servicing, or maintaining RAC equipment
• Decommissioning RAC equipment

The Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC), on behalf of the Australian Government, issues these licences to professionals in the refrigeration, air conditioning, and automotive industries.

Pest Management Licensing Requirements by State

New South Wales (NSW)

• A Pest Management Technician Licence or Fumigator Licence is required for those using pesticides or fumigants.
• Trainees must obtain a Training Permit before working.
• A Timber Pest Management Technician Licence is being introduced for termite and timber pest treatments.
• If applying for multiple licence types, the relevant training requirements must be met for each.
• Licences are issued by the NSW Environmental Protection Authority.

Queensland (QLD)

• A Pest Licence is mandatory for applying pesticides or fumigants on a commercial fee-for-service basis.
• Endorsements are available for:
  • Urban pest and timber pest control
  • Fumigation
  • Pest bird control
  • Pest management in sensitive locations (e.g., aged care or childcare facilities)
  • Pest management in high-risk areas (e.g., food manufacturing, livestock farming)
• A Termite Management—Chemical Licence is required for supervising or performing termite treatments.
• Licences are issued by the Queensland Department of Health.

Victoria (VIC)

• A Pest Management Technician Licence is needed for general pest control work, specifying approved pesticide use.
• A Fumigation Licence is issued separately by the Victorian Department of Health.
• Agricultural Pest & Weed Control requires a licence from the Department of Environment and Primary Industries.
• Licences are issued by the VIC Department of Health.

Western Australia (WA)

• Three types of pest technician licences:
  • Full Pest Management Technician Licence (includes termite & timber pest management)
  • Pest Management Technician Salesperson Licence
  • Provisional Pest Management Licence (requires direct supervision for the first 30 working days, then general supervision)
• Fumigation requires a separate Fumigation Licence.
• Licences are issued by the WA Department of Health.

South Australia (SA)

• A Full Pest Management Technician Licence is required for general pest control work.
• FTermite and timber pest treatments require a Timber Pests Endorsement.
• Trainees must hold a Limited Pest Management Licence and work under direct supervision.
• Additional endorsements are needed for Agricultural, Horticultural, Viticultural, Fumigation & Vertebrate Animal Control.
• Licences are issued by SA Controlled Substances Licensing.

Northern Territory (NT)

• A Pest Control Operator Licence and a Senior First Aid Certificate are required for general pest and timber pest control.
• Trainees must obtain a Provisional Pest Control Licence, be employed by a licensed pest control business, and work under supervision.
• A separate Fumigation Licence is required for fumigation work.
• Licences are issued by the NT Controlled Substances Licensing.

Tasmania (TAS)

• A Commercial Operator’s Licence is mandatory for pest control businesses.
• Pest management technicians must hold a Tasmanian Certificate of Competency for their specific type of work.
• Licences are issued by the TAS Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment.