Do fencing contractors need a licence in Australia?
NSW, VIC and QLD need a licence or registration for fencing over a set job value, and SA needs a building work licence at any value (except post and wire fences). WA, TAS, ACT and NT have no fencing licence.
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 - fencing Building Commission NSW Carpentry, glazing, metal fabrication, bricklaying and stonemasonry licences also cover some fence types. |
Verify Licence - home building licence check |
| VICVictoria | Over a job value $10,000 incl GST (labour and materials) |
Domestic Builder (limited to the construction of gates and fences) Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC) This class also covers pool and spa safety barriers. A chain wire fence around a tennis court needs no registration. |
BPC Find and check a practitioner |
| QLDQueensland | Over a job value $3,300 incl GST (labour and materials) |
QBCC Structural landscaping, or a trade licence that matches the fence material Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) No licence for rural fences, post and wire fences without concrete footings, or an owner building a fence under $11,000. |
QBCC licensee register |
| WAWestern Australia | No | Building and Energy (WA Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety) Fences are exempt from building contractor registration. Pool fences still have to meet pool safety rules. |
WA Online Licence Search |
| SASouth Australia | Yes | Building work contractor's licence (plus building work supervisor registration) Consumer and Business Services (CBS) Fencing is building work in SA, except post and wire fencing. |
Check occupational licence holders |
| TASTasmania | No | Fences are low risk work with no building permit, and most can be built by the owner. |
Find a licensed tradesperson |
| ACTAustralian Capital Territory | No | There is no fencing licence. A licensed builder is needed if the fence needs building approval. |
Access Canberra public registers |
| NTNorthern Territory | No | Free-standing fences do not need a registered builder. |
Public Register of Building Practitioners |
Jobs that need an extra licence
Pool and spa fencesGates and fences class (covers pool barriers) or a pool or glazing licence
VIC, QLD (check pool rules in every state)
Brick or stone fencesBricklaying or stonemasonry licence
NSW, QLD
Glass or metal fences and gatesGlazing or metal fabrication licence
NSW, QLD
Retaining walls under a fenceStructural landscaping, retaining walls class or builder
NSW, VIC, QLD
Electric or automatic gatesLicensed electrician for the wiring
All states and territories
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.
- Check the licence covers the fence material, such as timber, metal, glass, brick or stone.
- For a pool fence, ask how the contractor will meet your state's pool barrier rules and who will inspect it.
- Agree the boundary line and any dividing fence costs with your neighbour before work starts.
- 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: Fencing ContractorsGate Installers
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: NSW accepts a Certificate I in Construction with set fencing units; VIC asks for a Certificate III in Carpentry or in Bricklaying and Blocklaying.
- Experience: get supervised, paid fencing work. VIC asks for at least 1 year for the gates and fences class.
- Documents: have your ID, qualification copies, a police check (NSW asks for one no older than 4 months) and business details ready.
- Apply to your state (links below). QLD also needs the business unit BSBESB402 and financial checks.
- 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) | Ask the regulator | Requirements |
| SA | Consumer and Business Services (CBS) | How to apply | Requirements |
| TAS | Ask the regulator | Requirements | |
| ACT | Ask the regulator | Requirements | |
| 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 /business-and-economy/licences-and-credentials/building-and-trade-lice...
- nsw.gov.au /business-and-economy/licences-and-credentials/building-and-trade-lice...
- qbcc.qld.gov.au /sites/default/files/2021-11/guide-licensing-requirements-fence-builde...
- qbcc.qld.gov.au /licences/apply-licence/available-licences/other-trade/structural-land...
- qbcc.qld.gov.au /licences/apply-licence/available-licences/builder/builder-restricted-...
- qbcc.qld.gov.au /licences/apply-licence/available-licences/other-trade/swimming-pool-c...
- nsw.gov.au /business-and-economy/licences-and-credentials/building-and-trade-lice...
- 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/start-your-career/when-you-need-licence
- qbcc.qld.gov.au /licences/apply-licence
- my.qbcc.qld.gov.au /myQBCC/s/qbcc-licensee-register
- wa.gov.au /government/publications/do-i-need-be-registered-building-contractor
- wa.gov.au /government/multi-step-guides/builders-registration
- ols.demirs.wa.gov.au /search
- sa.gov.au /topics/business-and-trade/licensing/building-and-trades/building-work...
- 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...
- consumeraffairs.tas.gov.au /topics/licensing-and-registration/licensed-occupations/building-provi...
- buildingstandards.tas.gov.au /topics/resources-tools/apply-for-a-licence
- buildingstandards.tas.gov.au /topics/licensing-and-registration/search-licensed-occupations/find-a-...
- planning.act.gov.au /professionals/regulation-and-responsibilities/construction-licences
- planning.act.gov.au /professionals/regulation-and-responsibilities/extension-of-trade-lice...
- services.accesscanberra.act.gov.au /s/public-registers
- bpb.nt.gov.au /
- bpb.nt.gov.au /practitioners
- ntlis.nt.gov.au /building-practitioners/
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