Do glaziers and window installers need a licence in Australia?
It depends on the state. NSW, QLD and SA license glazing work, Victoria offers optional registration, and WA, Tasmania, the ACT and the NT have no separate glazier licence, but bigger jobs may need a licensed or registered builder.
Licence by state
| State | Licence needed? | Licence and who issues it | Check a licence |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSWNew South Wales | Over a job value More than $5,000 incl GST (labour and materials) |
Glazing contractor licence (or qualified supervisor certificate) Building Commission NSW (NSW Fair Trading) Small shower screen jobs can be done under a minor trade work licence. |
Verify licence (NSW Government) |
| VICVictoria | No | Domestic builder (limited to glazing work) - optional registration Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC) Glazing-only jobs do not need BPC registration. Registration is needed if trades are combined on a job over $10,000 incl GST, or the work needs a building permit. |
Find and check a practitioner |
| QLDQueensland | Over a job value Over $3,300 (labour and materials) |
Glass, glazing and aluminium licence Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) The licence also covers shower screens, security screens, mirrors, leadlight and film on glass. |
QBCC licensee register |
| WAWestern Australia | No | No glazier licence (glazing is not 'builder work') Building and Energy (WA Government) Glazing is excluded from 'builder work' in the Building Services (Registration) Regulations 2011. A building permit may still be needed. |
Find a registered builder |
| SASouth Australia | Yes | Building work contractor licence with a glazing condition Consumer and Business Services (CBS) The glazing condition does not include pool fencing and balustrades. Those need their own condition. |
Check occupational licence holders |
| TASTasmania | Depends on the work | No glazier licence; builder licence for larger work Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (CBOS) Like-for-like window and door replacement is low risk work. Changing materials (for example timber to uPVC frames) is Category 2 work for a licensed builder. |
Find a licensed tradesperson |
| ACTAustralian Capital Territory | No | No glazier licence Access Canberra / City and Environment Directorate A March 2026 ACT consultation paper says glazing is lower risk and not in the first stage of new trade licensing. |
Licensed builders public register |
| NTNorthern Territory | No | No glazier licence Building Practitioners Board (NT) Changing windows on an existing house needs a building permit in building control areas. |
Public Register of Building Practitioners |
Jobs that need an extra licence
Shower screen installation (small jobs)Minor trade work licence with the 'Shower screen enclosure installation' endorsement
NSW (Building Commission NSW / Fair Trading)
Security screens and grillesMinor trade work licence with the 'Shade sails, awnings and security grilles' endorsement
NSW
Shower screens, security screens, mirrors and glass filmCovered by the Glass, glazing and aluminium licence
QLD (QBCC)
Glass pool fencing and balustradesSeparate pool fence / balustrade licence condition (not covered by the glazing condition)
SA (Consumer and Business Services)
Windows changed as part of a bigger renovationBuilder licence or registration may be needed for the whole job
All states, depending on value and permits
Hiring? How to check a licence
- Ask for the licence number and the name on it.
- Check the number on your state's register (links above). Make sure the name matches the business on your quote.
- Check the licence covers glazing (or the right class) and has not expired.
- For bigger jobs, ask if a building permit is needed and who will get it.
- Get a written quote and contract, and only pay a fair deposit.
Find local businesses: GlaziersFlyscreen InstallersShower Screen ServicesWindow RepairWindow InstallersWindow TintingWindow Shutter 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: finish a glazier apprenticeship or a Certificate III in Glass and Glazing (for example MSF30422).
- Experience: get on-the-job glazing experience. Some states check it with referees or an interview (for example SA and VIC).
- Documents: have your qualification and ID ready. NSW needs a National Police Check no older than 4 months. QLD contractors also need a financial (MFR) report.
- Apply to your state (links below). NSW, QLD and SA license glazing. In VIC you can register as 'Domestic builder (limited to glazing work)'.
- Licensed in another state? Glazing is covered by NSW Automatic Mutual Recognition. Other states use mutual recognition for an equivalent licence, so check with the regulator.
| State | Who issues it | Apply here (official) | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | Building Commission NSW (NSW Fair Trading) | 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) | Ask the regulator | Requirements |
| SA | Consumer and Business Services (CBS) | How to apply | Requirements |
| TAS | Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (CBOS) | How to apply | Requirements |
| ACT | Access Canberra / City and Environment Directorate | Ask the regulator | 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 (31)
- 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/Trades
- bpc.vic.gov.au /resource-hub/info-sheets/What-is-domestic-building-work
- bpc.vic.gov.au /builders/builder-classes/domestic-builder
- bpc.vic.gov.au /home-owners/before-you-start-building/engaging-a-builder
- bpc.vic.gov.au /find-and-check-a-practitioner
- consumer.vic.gov.au /licensing-and-registration/builders-and-tradespeople/becoming-a-regis...
- qbcc.qld.gov.au /licences/apply-licence/available-licences/other-trade/glass-glazing-a...
- qbcc.qld.gov.au /resources/building-work
- qbcc.qld.gov.au /resources/glossary
- qbcc.qld.gov.au /licences/apply-licence
- qbcc.qld.gov.au /about-us/our-lists-registers
- legislation.wa.gov.au /legislation/prod/filestore.nsf/FileURL/mrdoc_48791.pdf/$FILE/Building...
- wa.gov.au /government/multi-step-guides/builders-registration/building-contracto...
- wa.gov.au /service/community-services/find-registered-builder
- sa.gov.au /topics/business-and-trade/licensing/building-and-trades/building-work...
- cbs.sa.gov.au /documents/occlicensing/Building-licence-faqs.pdf
- cbs.sa.gov.au /documents/occlicensing/Building-Work-Supervisor-Standard-Registration...
- sa.gov.au /topics/business-and-trade/licensing/licence-check
- cbos.tas.gov.au /__data/assets/pdf_file/0014/405014/Directors-determination-categories...
- 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-...
- consumeraffairs.tas.gov.au /topics/licensing-and-registration/licensed-occupations/building-provi...
- planning.act.gov.au /professionals/regulation-and-responsibilities/construction-licences
- planning.act.gov.au /__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/3032326/Consultation-paper-Extension-of-T...
- accesscanberra.act.gov.au /consumer-rights/choosing-a-tradesperson
- nt.gov.au /industry/licences/builders-and-building-certifiers
- nt.gov.au /property/building/build-or-renovate-your-home/check-if-your-builder-i...
- nt.gov.au /_media/docs/housing,-property-and-land/building-and-development/apply...
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