Do flooring installers need a licence in Australia?
Laying carpet, vinyl, laminate or floating floors needs no licence in most states. Queensland licenses timber floor finishing and sanding over $3,300, and structural timber floors can need a carpentry or builder licence elsewhere.
Licence by state
| State | Licence needed? | Licence and who issues it | Check a licence |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSWNew South Wales | Depends on the work More than $5,000 incl GST (labour and materials), for structural timber floors |
Contractor licence - Carpentry (for load-bearing timber floors) Building Commission NSW Non-structural flooring (top wearing layer) is not licensed since 2009. Load-bearing timber floors fall under carpentry. Floor tiling needs a licence. |
NSW Government Verify a licence |
| VICVictoria | Depends on the work More than $10,000 (labour and materials), if more than one trade |
Registration as a domestic builder (only when the job needs it) Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC) Installing floor coverings on its own needs no registration. Combined trades over $10,000, or work needing a permit, need a registered builder. |
BPC Find and check a practitioner |
| QLDQueensland | Over a job value Over $3,300 incl GST (labour and materials) |
QBCC licence - Floor finishing and covering (hard sector) Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) Covers sanding and coating timber floors, parquetry, engineered timber and epoxy. Carpet and vinyl are not listed in this class. |
QBCC licensee register |
| WAWestern Australia | No | No trade licence for flooring Building and Energy (WA Government) Flooring is not a registered trade. Builder registration only applies to permit work of $20,000 or more. |
Building and Energy licence and registration search |
| SASouth Australia | Depends on the work No minimum value (where a licence applies) |
Building work contractor's licence (for flooring that is building work) Consumer and Business Services (CBS) Carpet, vinyl (not used for waterproofing) and floating floors are outside the licensing law. Fixed timber floors may need a licence; ask CBS. |
CBS find a licence holder |
| TASTasmania | Depends on the work | Builder licence (for building work that is not low-risk work) Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (CBOS) Structural floor work is building work. Ask CBOS if a floor covering job needs a licence. |
CBOS find a licensed tradesperson |
| ACTAustralian Capital Territory | No | No territory licence for floor laying or sanding ACT Planning / Access Canberra (Construction Occupations Registrar) Trades do not need a licence in the ACT. Structural floor work that needs building approval needs a licensed builder. |
Ask the regulator |
| NTNorthern Territory | No | No territory licence for flooring Building Practitioners Board (NT) Flooring is not prescribed residential building work. A registered builder is only needed for prescribed work over $12,000. |
Ask the regulator |
Jobs that need an extra licence
Floor tilingWall and floor tiling licence
NSW (any job over $5,000) and QLD (over $3,300)
Load-bearing timber floors, joists and subfloorsCarpentry licence or builder licence
NSW, QLD, SA; builder registration in VIC over $10,000
Waterproofing under floors in wet areasWaterproofing licence
NSW
Hiring? How to check a licence
- Ask for the licence number and the name on it (if your state needs one for the job).
- Check it on the state register (links above) and make sure the class covers your floor type.
- For carpet, vinyl or floating floors, check the business has public liability insurance.
- Ask what floor preparation, levelling and moisture checks are in the quote.
- Get a written quote with product names, square metres and warranty.
Find local businesses: FlooringFloor Sanding and Polishing ServicesTimber FlooringVinyl and Laminate InstallersCarpet 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: complete the Certificate III your state names for the class, such as timber floor finishing (QLD) or carpentry (NSW structural floors).
- Experience: work in the scope of the licence class; QBCC assesses experience against the listed work.
- Documents: identity, qualification, police check (NSW) and, in QLD, a managerial unit and financial declaration.
- Apply to your state (links below): QBCC in Queensland, Building Commission NSW for carpentry or tiling.
- Licensed in another state? Check automatic mutual recognition with the state regulator before you start work.
| 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 Government) | How to apply | Requirements |
| SA | Consumer and Business Services (CBS) | How to apply | Requirements |
| TAS | Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (CBOS) | How to apply | Requirements |
| ACT | ACT Planning / Access Canberra (Construction Occupations Registrar) | How to apply | Requirements |
| NT | Building Practitioners Board (NT) | How to apply | 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 (24)
- 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...
- verify.licence.nsw.gov.au /home
- consumer.vic.gov.au /housing/building-and-renovating/plan-and-manage-your-building-project...
- consumer.vic.gov.au /licensing-and-registration/builders-and-tradespeople/checklists/becom...
- consumer.vic.gov.au /licensing-and-registration/builders-and-tradespeople/becoming-a-regis...
- qbcc.qld.gov.au /licences/apply-licence/available-licences
- qbcc.qld.gov.au /licences/apply-licence/available-licences/other-trade/floor-finishing...
- qbcc.qld.gov.au /licences/apply-licence/available-licences/other-trade/carpentry
- qbcc.qld.gov.au /licences/start-your-career/when-you-need-licence
- qbcc.qld.gov.au /glossary
- 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 /organisation/building-and-energy/building-and-energy-licence-and-regi...
- wa.gov.au /government/multi-step-guides/builders-registration/apply-building-con...
- sa.gov.au /topics/business-and-trade/licensing/building-and-trade/building-work-...
- legislation.sa.gov.au /_legislation-documents/lz/c/r/building-work-contractors-regulations-2...
- sa.gov.au /topics/housing/buying-building-selling/building-a-home/choosing-a-bui...
- legislation.tas.gov.au /view/whole/html/inforce/current/sr-2016-112
- planning.act.gov.au /professionals/regulation-and-responsibilities/construction-licences/a...
- nt.gov.au /property/building-and-development/building-and-renovating-a-home/what...
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