Do roofers need a licence in Australia?
In most states, yes. Metal roofing, gutters and downpipes need a licence in NSW, VIC, QLD, SA and TAS, and bigger jobs need a builder registration in WA and the NT. Roof tiling rules differ from state to state.
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) |
Roof plumbing contractor licence or qualified supervisor certificate Building Commission NSW Roof plumbing covers gutters, downpipes, flashing and roof coverings. Non-metal tiles, slate, glass and membranes are left out. |
Check a builder or tradesperson licence (Service NSW) |
| VICVictoria | Yes | Roofing (stormwater) plumbing registration or licence Building and Plumbing Commission (formerly VBA) Covers roof coverings, roof flashing and roof drainage. A restricted class covers only sheds, garages and carports (Class 10a). |
Find and check a practitioner |
| QLDQueensland | Over a job value $3,300 incl labour, materials and GST |
Roof and wall cladding licence, or roof tiling licence Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) Roof and wall cladding covers metal roofs, rainwater goods and flashing, but not terracotta or concrete tiles. Tiles need the roof tiling licence. |
QBCC licensee register |
| WAWestern Australia | Over a job value $20,000 ($50,000 for sheds, garages and carports), only where a building permit is needed |
Building contractor registration Building and Energy (Building Services Board) WA chose not to treat stormwater drainage as plumbing work. Builder registration applies only above the value limit and inside the prescribed area. |
Building and Energy licence and registration search |
| SASouth Australia | Yes | Building work contractor's licence plus building work supervisor registration (roof plumbing or roof tiling condition) Consumer and Business Services (CBS) The roof plumbing condition covers metal roof sheeting, gutters and downpipes. The roof tiling condition covers concrete, terracotta, metal tiles and slate. |
CBS licensing register (Find a licence holder) |
| TASTasmania | Yes | Plumbing practitioner licence with the Roof (Stormwater) class Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (CBOS) Since 2010 only licensed plumbers may do roof plumbing. Licensed builders can get a limited roof drainage endorsement. |
Find a licensed tradesperson |
| ACTAustralian Capital Territory | Depends on the work | No separate roof plumbing licence yet (sanitary and water supply plumber licences exist) Access Canberra (Construction Occupations Registrar) The ACT has consulted on licensing roof plumbing. Changes are not expected before 2027. |
Construction occupations public registers |
| NTNorthern Territory | Over a job value $12,000 (building contractor registration) |
Building contractor registration (roof plumbing is not a plumbing licence class) Building Practitioners Board The NT Plumbers and Drainers Licensing Board licenses plumbing and draining only. It does not regulate roof plumbing. |
Building Practitioners Board registration check |
Jobs that need an extra licence
Roof plumbing / guttersRoof plumbing contractor licence (NSW), Roofing (stormwater) plumbing registration or licence (VIC), roof and wall cladding licence (QLD), building work contractor licence plus supervisor registration with a roof plumbing condition (SA), plumbing licence with the Roof (Stormwater) class (TAS).
NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, TAS. WA and the NT do not treat roof plumbing as plumbing work, so builder registration may apply on bigger jobs.
Roof tilingRoof tiling licence (QLD), building work contractor licence plus supervisor registration with a roof tiling condition (SA). In NSW, non-metal tiles are left out of roof plumbing, so the general rule for residential building work over $5,000 applies.
QLD and SA have a roof tiling class. In other states, check with the regulator.
Stormwater drains below groundDrainer or drainage plumbing licence.
Drains below ground are separate plumbing or drainage work. Check your state.
Hiring? How to check a licence
- Ask for the licence number and the name on it.
- Search that number on your state's official register (links above).
- Check that the name, status and expiry date match, and that the licence class covers roofing work.
- Check that the licence number is on the quote and the contract.
- For stormwater drains below ground, check that a licensed drainer or plumber will do that part.
- If you cannot find the licence, call the regulator before you pay a deposit.
Find local businesses: RoofersRoof RepairGutteringSkylight Showrooms
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 Certificate III in Roof Plumbing (or Plumbing with a roofing stream), or a roof tiling apprenticeship.
- Experience: build up supervised time on the tools. Some states also ask for a work history record, an interview or an exam (VIC asks for an exam).
- Documents: have photo ID, your qualification papers, a police check where asked (NSW, SA), and business or money details for a contractor licence (QLD, SA, WA).
- Apply to your state (links below). Pick the right class, such as roof plumbing, roofing (stormwater), roof and wall cladding or roof tiling.
- Licensed in another state? Check mutual recognition with the new state's regulator before you start work there.
| State | Who issues it | Apply here (official) | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | Building Commission NSW | How to apply | Requirements |
| VIC | Building and Plumbing Commission (formerly VBA) | How to apply | Requirements |
| QLD | Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) | How to apply | Requirements |
| WA | Building and Energy (Building Services Board) | 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 | Access Canberra (Construction Occupations Registrar) | How to apply | Requirements |
| NT | Building Practitioners Board | 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 (36)
- 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...
- service.nsw.gov.au /transaction/check-a-builder-or-tradesperson-licence
- nsw.gov.au /housing-and-construction/building-or-renovating-a-home/preparing/chec...
- bpc.vic.gov.au /plumbers/plumber-classes-and-categories/roofing-stormwater-work
- bpc.vic.gov.au /plumbers/plumber-classes-and-categories/roofing-stormwaterrestricted-...
- bpc.vic.gov.au /plumbers/registration-and-licensing/which-registration-or-licence-do-...
- vba.vic.gov.au /registration-and-licensing/plumbing-registration-and-licensing/roofin...
- vba.vic.gov.au /registration-and-licensing/plumbing-registration-and-licensing/apply-...
- vba.vic.gov.au /tools/find-practitioner
- qbcc.qld.gov.au /licences/apply-licence/available-licences/other-trade/roof-wall-cladd...
- qbcc.qld.gov.au /sm/node/1026
- qbcc.qld.gov.au /home-owner-hub/build-renovate/finding-contractor-getting-quotes/find-...
- qbcc.qld.gov.au /sites/default/files/documents/guide-licensed-contracting-queensland.p...
- 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
- wa.gov.au /organisation/building-and-energy/building-and-energy-licence-and-regi...
- wa.gov.au /system/files/2021-01/dris-reforms-to-plumbing-regulation-in-western-a...
- sa.gov.au /topics/business-and-trade/licensing/building-and-trades/building-work...
- sa.gov.au /topics/business-and-trade/licensing/building-and-trades/licensing
- cbs.sa.gov.au /find-a-licence-holder
- cbs.sa.gov.au /documents/occlicensing/Building-Work-Supervisor-Standard-Registration...
- cbos.tas.gov.au /topics/licensing-and-registration/licensed-occupations/plumbing/pract...
- cbos.tas.gov.au /__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/439584/Fact-Sheet-roof-drainage-endorseme...
- cbos.tas.gov.au /__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/405149/Administrators-Determination-Occup...
- cbos.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 /planning-projects/extension-of-trade-licensing
- planning.act.gov.au /__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/3032326/Consultation-paper-Extension-of-T...
- accesscanberra.act.gov.au /business-and-work/public-registers
- plumberslicensing.nt.gov.au /registration
- bpb.nt.gov.au /home
- bpb.nt.gov.au /registration
- ntlis.nt.gov.au /building-practitioners/results.jsp
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