Do bathroom and kitchen renovators need a licence in Australia?
In most states, yes once the job goes over a value limit, and SA needs a licence at any value. Plumbing and electrical parts always need licensed tradies, and waterproofing is licensed in NSW, VIC and QLD.
Licence by state
| State | Licence needed? | Licence and who issues it | Check a licence |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSWNew South Wales | Over a job value $5,000 incl GST (labour and materials) |
Contractor licence - kitchen, bathroom and laundry renovation Building Commission NSW Does not cover load-bearing work. Waterproofing is its own licence category, also over $5,000. |
Verify Licence - home building licence check |
| VICVictoria | Over a job value $10,000 incl GST (labour and materials) |
Domestic Builder (limited to bathroom, kitchen and laundry renovation) Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC) Work must stay inside the existing walls, floor and ceiling. There is also a waterproofing class. Home warranty insurance is needed over $20,000. |
BPC Find and check a practitioner |
| QLDQueensland | Over a job value $3,300 incl GST (labour and materials) |
QBCC Builder restricted to kitchen, bathroom and laundry Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) Waterproofing has its own QBCC licence class. Plumbing and drainage need a licence at any value. |
QBCC licensee register |
| WAWestern Australia | Depends on the work $20,000 or more, only if the work needs a building permit (GST treatment not stated) |
Building contractor registration Building and Energy (WA Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety) No separate renovation or waterproofing licence. Plumbing, gas and electrical work always need a licence. |
WA Online Licence Search |
| SASouth Australia | Yes | Building work contractor's licence (plus building work supervisor registration) Consumer and Business Services (CBS) Needed at any value. Building indemnity insurance is needed for domestic work over $20,000 that needs council approval. |
Check occupational licence holders |
| TASTasmania | Depends on the work | Builder licence (if the work needs one) Consumer Affairs Tasmania (Building Standards Tasmania) No dollar limit. New bathroom fixtures and kitchen renovations are notifiable plumbing work for a licensed plumber. |
Find a licensed tradesperson |
| ACTAustralian Capital Territory | Depends on the work | Builder licence (Class A to D) if building approval is needed Access Canberra (Construction Occupations Registrar) Tilers and waterproofers are not licensed now. Plumbers and electricians must be licensed. |
Access Canberra public registers |
| NTNorthern Territory | No | Building Practitioners Board (NT) No registered builder is needed for renovations with no structural change, no extra floor area and no change of building class. |
Public Register of Building Practitioners |
Jobs that need an extra licence
Plumbing (taps, toilets, showers, drains)Plumbing licence
All states and territories
Electrical (lights, power points, rangehood wiring)Electrical licence
All states and territories
Gas cooktop or gas hot waterGasfitting licence
All states and territories
Wet area waterproofingWaterproofing licence, or a tiling licence that includes it
NSW (over $5,000), QLD (over $3,300), VIC (registration over $10,000)
Moving or removing load-bearing wallsGeneral builder licence (not a kitchen and bathroom licence)
NSW, QLD and others
Hiring? How to check a licence
- Ask for the licence or registration number and the name on it.
- Check the number on the official register for your state (links below).
- Make sure the name, licence class and expiry date match the person or company you are hiring.
- Check the licence covers the exact work, not just a related trade.
- Ask who will do the waterproofing and check their licence (NSW, VIC, QLD).
- Ask for the plumber's and electrician's licence numbers, and their compliance certificates when the job is done.
- If walls are being moved, check the builder holds a general builder licence.
- Get a written quote and contract that shows the licence number.
- For electrical, plumbing or gas parts of the job, check that tradie's own licence too.
Find local businesses: Cabinet MakersJoineryKitchen DesignersKitchen RenovatorsWaterproofingBathroom RenovatorsIKEA Kitchen InstallerWardrobe Professionals
On ServiceTasker, a business uploads its licence and our team checks it before a licence badge shows on its profile. You see what it holds, never the number or the document.
For businesses: how to get this licence
- Qualify: finish the units your state lists (for example the CPCCBC4001 to CPCCBC4009 units in NSW, or a trade Certificate III plus building units in VIC).
- Experience: get supervised, paid renovation work (VIC asks for at least 2 years for this class).
- Documents: have your ID, qualification copies, a police check, referee reports and business details ready.
- Apply to your state (links below). Subcontract plumbing, electrical and gas work to licensed tradies.
- Licensed in another state? You may be able to work under mutual recognition. Check the state page first.
| State | Who issues it | Apply here (official) | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | Building Commission NSW | How to apply | Requirements |
| VIC | Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC) | How to apply | Requirements |
| QLD | Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) | How to apply | Requirements |
| WA | Building and Energy (WA Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety) | How to apply | Requirements |
| SA | Consumer and Business Services (CBS) | How to apply | Requirements |
| TAS | Consumer Affairs Tasmania (Building Standards Tasmania) | How to apply | Requirements |
| ACT | Access Canberra (Construction Occupations Registrar) | How to apply | Requirements |
| NT | Building Practitioners Board (NT) | Ask the regulator | Requirements |
Last checked: 12 November 2026. General information only, not legal advice. Rules, fees and forms change: always check with the regulator in your state before you hire or apply. Some details could not be confirmed online and are left out; the regulator can confirm them.
Official sources (37)
- nsw.gov.au /business-and-economy/licences-and-credentials/building-and-trade-lice...
- nsw.gov.au /business-and-economy/licences-and-credentials/building-and-trade-lice...
- nsw.gov.au /business-and-economy/licences-and-credentials/building-and-trade-lice...
- nsw.gov.au /business-and-economy/licences-and-credentials/building-and-trade-lice...
- nsw.gov.au /housing-and-construction/building-or-renovating-a-home/preparing/chec...
- verify.licence.nsw.gov.au /home/Trades
- nsw.gov.au /business-and-economy/licences-and-credentials/building-and-trade-lice...
- bpc.vic.gov.au /resource-hub/info-sheets/What-is-domestic-building-work
- consumer.vic.gov.au /housing/building-and-renovating/plan-and-manage-your-building-project...
- bpc.vic.gov.au /home-owners/before-you-start-building/engaging-a-builder
- bpc.vic.gov.au /find-and-check-a-practitioner
- bpc.vic.gov.au /builders/registration/how-to-complete-your-builder-application
- qbcc.qld.gov.au /licences/apply-licence/available-licences/builder/builder-restricted-...
- qbcc.qld.gov.au /licences/apply-licence/available-licences/other-trade/waterproofing
- qbcc.qld.gov.au /licences/start-your-career/when-you-need-licence
- qbcc.qld.gov.au /resources/glossary
- qbcc.qld.gov.au /about-us/our-lists-registers
- my.qbcc.qld.gov.au /myQBCC/s/qbcc-licensee-register
- qbcc.qld.gov.au /licences/apply-licence
- wa.gov.au /government/publications/do-i-need-be-registered-building-contractor
- wa.gov.au /government/multi-step-guides/builders-registration
- wa.gov.au /organisation/building-and-energy/building-and-energy-licence-and-regi...
- ols.demirs.wa.gov.au /search
- sa.gov.au /topics/business-and-trade/licensing/building-and-trades/building-work...
- cbs.sa.gov.au /documents/Building-work-in-SA-what-you-need-to-know.pdf
- legislation.sa.gov.au /_legislation-documents/lz/c/r/building-work-contractors-regulations-2...
- sa.gov.au /topics/business-and-trade/licensing/licence-check
- buildingstandards.tas.gov.au /topics/technical-regulation/building-standards/permit-authorities/cat...
- buildingstandards.tas.gov.au /topics/licensing-and-registration/search-licensed-occupations/find-a-...
- buildingstandards.tas.gov.au /topics/resources-tools/apply-for-a-licence
- planning.act.gov.au /professionals/regulation-and-responsibilities/construction-licences
- planning.act.gov.au /community/build-or-renovate/before-you-start/find-a-professional
- planning.act.gov.au /professionals/regulation-and-responsibilities/extension-of-trade-lice...
- services.accesscanberra.act.gov.au /s/public-registers
- bpb.nt.gov.au /
- nt.gov.au /property/building/build-or-renovate-your-home/check-if-your-builder-i...
- ntlis.nt.gov.au /building-practitioners/
Other licence guides: PlumbersGas fittersElectriciansAir conditioningSecurity, CCTV and locksmithsPest control (incl. possums, snakes, bees)Termite inspection and treatmentAsbestos removal and demolitionBuilders and extensionsPaintersTilersRoofers and guttersPools and spasHandyman: what needs a licence