Does a handyman need a licence in Australia?
Small jobs under a state value limit usually need no licence, but SA needs a licence for building work at any value. Electrical, plumbing and gas work always need a licensed tradie.
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 - minor trade work, minor maintenance and cleaning, or the matching trade Building Commission NSW Always needs a licence, at any value: electrical, plumbing, draining, gasfitting, air conditioning and refrigeration work. |
Verify Licence - home building licence check |
| VICVictoria | Over a job value $10,000 incl GST (labour and materials) |
BPC registration in the matching domestic builder class Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC) Mixed trades over $10,000 need registration. Structural work, restumping, reblocking, demolition and permit work need it at any value. Electricians: Energy Safe Victoria. Plumbers and gasfitters: BPC. |
BPC Find and check a practitioner |
| QLDQueensland | Over a job value $3,300 incl GST (labour and materials) |
QBCC licence in the matching class Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) Any value needs a licence: plumbing, drainage, gas fitting, chemical termite work, fire protection and mechanical services. Electrical work needs an electrical licence. |
QBCC licensee register |
| WAWestern Australia | Over a job value $20,000 or more for work that needs a building permit ($50,000 for sheds, carports, garages and patios); GST treatment not stated |
Building contractor registration Building and Energy (WA Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety) Electrical, plumbing and gas work always need a licence. Painting over $1,000 needs painter registration. |
WA Online Licence Search |
| SASouth Australia | Yes | Building work contractor's licence (plus building work supervisor registration) Consumer and Business Services (CBS) No value limit. Jobs under $20,000 only have lighter contract rules. Plumbing, gas and electrical work need a licence under the Plumbers, Gas Fitters and Electricians Act 1995. |
Check occupational licence holders |
| TASTasmania | Depends on the work | Builder licence (only for work that needs one) Consumer Affairs Tasmania (Building Standards Tasmania) No dollar limit; it depends on the risk category of the work. General maintenance and small low-risk jobs need no builder. Plumbing and electrical work need a licence. |
Find a licensed tradesperson |
| ACTAustralian Capital Territory | Depends on the work | Builder licence (Class A to D) for work that needs building approval Access Canberra (Construction Occupations Registrar) No dollar limit. Electricians, plumbers, drainers and gasfitters must always be licensed. |
Access Canberra public registers |
| NTNorthern Territory | Over a job value over $25,000 for prescribed residential building work (GST and materials treatment not stated) |
Building contractor registration Building Practitioners Board (NT) Non-structural renovations, free-standing sheds and fences need no registered builder. Electricians need NT registration. |
Public Register of Building Practitioners |
Jobs that need an extra licence
Electrical work (wiring, power points, lights, switchboards)Electrical licence
All states and territories
Plumbing, drainage and gas fittingPlumbing, drainage or gasfitting licence
All states and territories
Air conditioning and refrigerationSpecialist work licence
NSW (other states not checked)
Painting over $1,000Painter registration
WA
Structural work, restumping, reblocking, demolition or work that needs a building permitBPC registration at any value
VIC
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 for a full written quote so you can see if the job goes over your state's value limit.
- Never let an unlicensed person do wiring, plumbing or gas work, even a small job.
- 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: AssemblyHandyman
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: pick the trade you do most and finish the matching Certificate III (for example carpentry), or the NSW minor trade work qualifications.
- Experience: get supervised, paid work in that trade.
- Documents: have your ID, qualification copies, a police check and business details ready.
- Apply to your state (links below) before you quote jobs over the value limit.
- 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) | 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 (42)
- 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...
- 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
- nsw.gov.au /business-and-economy/licences-and-credentials/building-and-trade-lice...
- consumer.vic.gov.au /housing/building-and-renovating/plan-and-manage-your-building-project...
- consumer.vic.gov.au /housing/building-and-renovating/checklists/home-improvements-costing-...
- consumer.vic.gov.au /licensing-and-registration/builders-and-tradespeople/becoming-a-regis...
- bpc.vic.gov.au /home-owners/before-you-start-building/engaging-a-builder
- bpc.vic.gov.au /resource-hub/info-sheets/What-is-domestic-building-work
- 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 /home-owner-hub/build-renovate/finding-contractor-getting-quotes/who-m...
- 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-or-renovating-your-home
- wa.gov.au /organisation/building-and-energy/building-and-energy-licence-and-regi...
- wa.gov.au /government/multi-step-guides/painters-registration
- 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/building-renovating/consumer-building-information
- consumeraffairs.tas.gov.au /topics/licensing-and-registration/search-licensed-occupations
- 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
- services.accesscanberra.act.gov.au /s/public-registers
- bpb.nt.gov.au /
- bpb.nt.gov.au /registration
- nt.gov.au /property/building/build-or-renovate-your-home/check-if-your-builder-i...
- ntlis.nt.gov.au /building-practitioners/
- nt.gov.au /industry/licences/electrical-licences
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