Do landscapers need a licence in Australia?
Plain gardening and lawn mowing need no licence anywhere. Structural landscaping, such as retaining walls, paving, decks and pergolas, needs a licence in some states, often only above a dollar value.
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) |
Contractor licence - Structural landscaping Building Commission NSW Covers retaining walls (not part of a home), paths, paving, pergolas and decks. Plain gardening and lawn mowing need no licence. |
NSW Government Verify a licence |
| VICVictoria | Over a job value More than $10,000 (labour and materials) |
Registration as Domestic Builder (Limited to the construction of structural landscaping) Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC) Registration is needed when domestic building work in the job costs more than $10,000, or if a building permit is needed. Gardening needs no registration. |
BPC Find and check a practitioner |
| QLDQueensland | Over a job value Over $3,300 incl GST (labour and materials) |
QBCC licence - Structural landscaping (trade), or Builder restricted to structural landscaping; Irrigation is a separate class Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) Retaining walls are covered if no engineering certificate is needed under a local law. Irrigation has its own QBCC licence class. |
QBCC licensee register |
| WAWestern Australia | No | No trade licence for landscaping; building contractor registration only for builder work Building and Energy (WA Government) Registration is only needed for work that needs a building permit and is $20,000 or more ($50,000 for Class 10a sheds, garages, carports). Retaining walls and fences are exempt. |
Building and Energy licence and registration search |
| SASouth Australia | Yes No minimum value |
Building work contractor's licence (conditions limit the type of work) Consumer and Business Services (CBS) Paving and fencing (not post and wire) are building work and need a licence. Gardening is not building work. |
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) Building work needs a licensed builder unless it is low-risk work under the Building Act 2016. Ask CBOS about larger retaining walls and decks. |
CBOS find a licensed tradesperson |
| ACTAustralian Capital Territory | Depends on the work | Builder licence (Class A to D) for building work that needs building approval ACT Planning / Access Canberra (Construction Occupations Registrar) Trades like carpenters and bricklayers do not need a licence in the ACT. Work that needs building approval must be done by a licensed builder. |
Ask the regulator |
| NTNorthern Territory | No | No trade licence for landscaping; builder registration only for prescribed residential building work Building Practitioners Board (NT) A registered builder is needed for prescribed residential building work over $12,000. Landscaping on its own is not on that list. |
Ask the regulator |
Jobs that need an extra licence
Connecting irrigation to the mains water supply or drainagePlumbing or drainage licence
All states (QBCC says plumbing and drainage are separate occupational licences in QLD)
Garden lighting, pumps or power pointsElectrical licence
All states
Swimming pools and spasPool building licence or builder licence
NSW, QLD, SA and others
Tall retaining walls or decks that need a building permitBuilder licence or registration, plus council or certifier approval
All states; height limits set by local rules
Hiring? How to check a licence
- Ask for the licence number and the name on it.
- Check it on the state register (links above) and make sure the class covers landscaping or retaining walls.
- Check the name on the licence matches the business on your quote.
- For retaining walls, decks and pergolas, ask if a permit or approval is needed and who will get it.
- Ask for public liability insurance and, where needed, home warranty insurance.
Find local businesses: LandscapersRetaining Wall BuildersIrrigation System Installer
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 a Certificate III in Landscape Construction (named in NSW).
- Experience: work in the scope of the licence class; QLD and NSW assess experience against the work listed.
- Documents: identity, qualification, police check (NSW), insurance and, in QLD and WA, financial requirements.
- Apply to your state (links below): Building Commission NSW, BPC Victoria, QBCC Queensland, CBS South Australia and others.
- 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 (22)
- 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/structural-land...
- qbcc.qld.gov.au /licences/apply-licence/available-licences/other-trade/irrigation
- 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 /government/multi-step-guides/builders-registration/apply-building-con...
- wa.gov.au /organisation/building-and-energy/building-and-energy-licence-and-regi...
- 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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