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Trade licensing in Australia is regulated at the state and territory level, which means the requirements, thresholds, and application processes differ depending on where you work. What you need to do legally in Queensland may not be the same as in Victoria or Western Australia.

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of trade licensing requirements across all eight states and territories as of 2026, covering the major trades: electrical, plumbing, building, HVAC, painting, roofing, tiling, carpentry, concreting, and plastering.

Why Licensing Matters

Before we dive into the state-by-state detail, here is why licensing is non-negotiable:

• Legal requirement: Working without a licence where one is required is a criminal offence in most states.
• Insurance: Your public liability and professional indemnity insurance policies typically require you to hold the appropriate licence. Working without one may void your coverage.
• Consumer protection: Homeowners can check your licence status online. No licence = no trust = fewer jobs.
• Financial protection: In most states, only licensed tradies and builders can access the building dispute resolution systems that protect against non-payment.
• Penalties: Fines for unlicensed work range from $5,000 to over $100,000 depending on the state and severity.

New South Wales (NSW)

Licensing Authority: NSW Fair Trading (fairtrading.nsw.gov.au)

Key NSW detail: The $5,000 threshold (including GST and materials) applies to residential building work. Work below this threshold generally does not require a contractor licence, but the tradesperson may still need a trade qualification. Owner-builder permits are available for homeowners doing their own work on properties where they intend to live.

Victoria (VIC)

Licensing Authority: Victorian Building Authority — VBA (vba.vic.gov.au)

Key VIC detail: Victoria uses a registration system rather than a licensing system for builders. Registered Building Practitioners must be registered in specific categories (domestic builder — unlimited, domestic builder — limited, etc.) and must carry domestic building insurance for work over $16,000. The VBA also registers building surveyors, engineers, and draftspeople.

Queensland (QLD)

Licensing Authority: Queensland Building and Construction Commission — QBCC (qbcc.qld.gov.au)

Key QLD detail: Queensland has the most comprehensive licensing system in Australia. The QBCC requires a licence for almost all building and trade work over $3,300 (inc. GST). Licence applicants must meet financial requirements (minimum net tangible assets), which are tiered based on the maximum annual revenue of the licence class. This financial requirement is unique to Queensland and is designed to prevent undercapitalised businesses from taking on work they cannot complete.

South Australia (SA)

Licensing Authority: Consumer and Business Services — CBS (cbs.sa.gov.au)

Key SA detail: South Australia distinguishes between a worker licence (allows you to do the trade work) and a contractor registration (allows you to contract directly with consumers and take on jobs). You need both to run your own trade business.

Western Australia (WA)

Licensing Authority: Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety — DMIRS (dmirs.wa.gov.au) for electrical and plumbing; Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (Building and Energy) for builders.

Key WA detail: WA requires builder registration for all residential building work over $20,000. The state also has a Home Indemnity Insurance requirement for residential building contracts over $20,000, which must be taken out before work commences.

Tasmania (TAS)

Licensing Authority: Consumer, Building and Occupational Services — CBOS (cbos.tas.gov.au)

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

Licensing Authority: Access Canberra — Construction Occupations (accesscanberra.act.gov.au)

Key ACT detail: The ACT requires a licence for all building work with no minimum threshold. Even minor building work requires appropriate licensing.

Northern Territory (NT)

Licensing Authority: NT Government — Building Practitioners Board (nt.gov.au)

Cross-Border Recognition: Mutual Recognition Act

The Mutual Recognition Act 1992 (Commonwealth) allows tradies who are licensed in one state to apply for equivalent licensing in another state. In practice, this means if you hold a plumber's licence in NSW, you can apply for a plumber's licence in Victoria under mutual recognition. You do not need to re-sit exams or redo qualifications.

However, mutual recognition is not automatic — you still need to apply, pay the fee, and meet any state-specific requirements (such as QLD's financial requirements). Some states also require you to demonstrate knowledge of local regulations and codes.

Australian Refrigerant and Carbon Handling Licence (ARC)

For all HVAC and refrigeration work involving refrigerant gases, an ARC licence is required nationally. This is a federal requirement under the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989, administered by the Australian Refrigeration Council (arctick.org).

The ARC licence is in addition to any state-level electrical or plumbing licence you may need for HVAC work.

How to Check If You Need a Licence

1. Identify your trade and the type of work you want to do.
2. Check your state's licensing authority website (listed above).
3. Look for the relevant licence category and the threshold value (if any).
4. Review the qualification requirements — most require a Certificate III or IV in your trade.
5. Apply online through your state's licensing authority.
6. Renew on time — most licences require annual or triennial renewal with CPD points.

Penalties Summary

Beyond fines, unlicensed work can result in licence refusal or revocation when you do apply, inability to recover payment for work done, voiding of insurance policies, personal liability for property damage or injury, and criminal prosecution in serious cases.

Key Takeaways

1. Electrical and plumbing licences are required in every state and territory — no exceptions, no thresholds.
2. Builder licensing thresholds vary significantly — from no threshold (ACT) to $20,000 (WA, TAS).
3. Queensland has the most comprehensive system — almost all trades need a QBCC licence, with financial requirements.
4. Painting and tiling licences vary by state — required in QLD and WA (above threshold), not required in most other states.
5. Mutual recognition allows cross-border licensing — but you still need to apply and pay.
6. ARC licences are federal and required for all refrigerant handling nationally.
7. Check your specific state's requirements before starting any trade work — the information above is a guide, and regulations change. Always verify with your state's licensing authority.

Licensing is not just a legal box to tick. It is the foundation of a legitimate, insurable, and trustworthy trade business. Get licensed, stay licensed, and make sure every customer knows you are the real deal.