"Do I need a licence for this?" is one of the most common questions in the trades, and the honest answer is that it depends on your state. Licensing is run by each state and territory, and they draw the lines differently: by trade, by type of work and by the dollar value of the job.
This guide sets out the main rules for building and trade work in each state and territory as at November 2026, with a link to the regulator for each. Use it to work out where to check, then confirm the detail with your regulator before you quote. Licence classes, conditions and exemptions change, and the regulator's page is the final word.
The basics that apply everywhere
Some principles hold across the country:
- Electrical, plumbing and gasfitting work is licensed in every state and territory, usually whatever the size of the job. These are safety-critical trades, so the dollar thresholds that apply to general building work generally don't apply.
- General building work is licensed above a threshold, which varies a lot. In some states it's a few thousand dollars, in others tens of thousands.
- Contracting and doing the work can be separate. Some states license the business that contracts for the work separately from the person who supervises or carries it out.
- Advertising rules follow the licence. In NSW and Queensland, for example, your ads must show your licence number.
The Australian Business Licence and Information Service (ABLIS) lets you search by trade and location for the licences, permits and registrations that apply to you.
Dollar thresholds for building work
For general building work, the dollar value of the job usually decides whether you need a licence or registration. The thresholds below come from each regulator's own pages.
Building work: the dollar value above which a licence or registration is needed
Queensland's threshold is the lowest at $3,300; the Northern Territory's is the highest at $25,000. Each state measures something slightly different.
Show the figures as a table
| State and what the threshold applies to | Threshold |
|---|---|
| QLD: QBCC licence for most building work | Over $3,300 |
| NSW: licence for residential building work (incl. GST) | Over $5,000 |
| VIC: registration for domestic building work | Over $10,000 |
| WA: registered builder for work needing a building permit | $20,000 or more |
| NT: registered builder for prescribed residential work | Over $25,000 |
The figures aren't directly comparable, because each one applies to something slightly different. Queensland's covers most building work. NSW's applies to residential work and includes GST. Victoria's is a registration threshold for domestic work. WA's applies to work that needs a building permit. The NT's applies to "prescribed" residential work, such as new homes and extensions. Read your state's rules in full.
State by state
New South Wales
In NSW you need a licence from Building Commission NSW for residential building work over $5,000 including GST. Specialist work needs a licence at any value: electrical wiring, plumbing, draining, gasfitting, and air conditioning and refrigeration work. The same thresholds decide who can advertise the work.
Contracts also have thresholds. A written contract is needed for residential work over $5,000, with a small jobs contract for $5,000 to $20,000 and a full contract above $20,000.
Victoria
Victoria requires registration with the Building and Plumbing Commission for domestic building work over $10,000. Some work needs registration regardless of value, such as re-blocking, restumping and demolition. There are exemptions for some single-trade work, such as plastering, tiling, painting and electrical work, but those trades may have their own licensing (electricians and plumbers are licensed separately). A major domestic building contract is needed for domestic work over $10,000.
Queensland
Queensland has the lowest general threshold in the country. The QBCC says you need a licence for building work valued over $3,300, and over $1,100 for hydraulic services design. Some work needs a licence at any value, including plumbing, drainage, gasfitting and fire protection work. Electrical work is licensed separately under Queensland's electrical safety laws, through WorkSafe Queensland's electrical licences.
Western Australia
In WA, Building and Energy says most building work valued at $20,000 or more that needs a building permit must be carried out by a registered builder. From 1 July 2026, Class 10a buildings (non-habitable buildings such as garages, carports and sheds) valued under $50,000 don't need a registered building contractor, although building permit requirements still apply. If no building permit is needed, a registered builder isn't required.
South Australia
SA requires a building work contractor's licence from Consumer and Business Services for anyone who runs a business carrying out or organising building work for others, including subcontractors. Its licence page doesn't set a dollar threshold. Sole traders normally apply for the contractor's licence and building work supervisor registration at the same time. Applicants for specified building work, such as bricklaying and carpentry, need at least $10,000 in net assets, or can apply for a restricted licence as a subcontractor.
Tasmania
Consumer Affairs Tasmania issues builder licences in classes such as Builder Domestic and Builder Low Rise, based on your qualification and supervised experience. Check the scope of each licence class, and whether your trade needs its own licence, with Consumer Affairs Tasmania.
Australian Capital Territory
The ACT licenses construction occupations under the Construction Occupations (Licensing) Act 2004. According to the ACT Government's construction licences page, you need a licence if you're a builder, electrician, plumber, drainer, gasfitter or one of several other occupations. Builder licences come in four classes, A to D. Trades like carpentry and bricklaying don't currently need a licence in the ACT, but check for changes, because the ACT has been looking at extending trade licensing.
Northern Territory
In the NT you must use a registered building contractor for prescribed residential building work. That's work worth more than $25,000 on a house, a unit or an extension that increases the floor area, and some related work. Prescribed work also needs a contract.
Who licenses building and trade work in each state and territory
Start with your state or territory regulator. ABLIS lists the licences for your trade and location.
| State | Regulator | Key rule | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | Building Commission NSW | Licence for residential building work over $5,000 (incl. GST), and for specialist work (electrical, plumbing, drainage, gasfitting, air conditioning and refrigeration) at any value | NSW Government, General building work licences |
| VIC | Building and Plumbing Commission | Registration for domestic building work over $10,000, with exemptions for some single-trade work | Consumer Affairs Victoria, Becoming a registered building practitioner |
| QLD | QBCC (building and plumbing); WorkSafe Queensland's Electrical Safety Office (electrical) | QBCC licence for most building work over $3,300, and for plumbing, drainage and gasfitting at any value | QBCC, When you need a licence; WorkSafe Queensland, Electrical licences |
| WA | Building and Energy | Registered builder for work of $20,000 or more that needs a building permit | WA Government (Building and Energy), Building or renovating your home |
| SA | Consumer and Business Services | Building work contractor's licence to carry out building work for others; specified building work needs $10,000 in net assets | SA Government, Building work contractor's licence |
| TAS | Consumer Affairs Tasmania | Builder licences by class, such as Builder Domestic and Builder Low Rise | Consumer Affairs Tasmania, Builder licence |
| ACT | ACT Government (City and Environment Directorate) | Licence for builders, electricians, plumbers, drainers and gasfitters; carpenters and bricklayers don't currently need one | ACT Government, Construction licences |
| NT | NT Government | Registered builder for prescribed residential building work over $25,000 | NT Government, What is prescribed residential building work |
Working interstate
A licence in one state doesn't automatically let you work in another. Each regulator has its own process for interstate licence holders: SA, for example, has a separate fee for a recognised interstate or NZ licence. Before you take a job across the border, check with the regulator there what you need, and allow time for the paperwork.
Check your subcontractors' licences too
If you engage subcontractors for licensed work, check that each one holds the right licence for that work before they start, and keep a record of what you checked. Most regulators publish a public register for this. The ACT Government, for example, notes that a register of licensed construction practitioners is available on the Access Canberra website. Your customers can look you up the same way, which is one more reason to keep your details current with the regulator.
Licences and your other obligations
A licence often depends on other things being in place:
- Insurance. Some licences require public liability or other cover, and residential work over a threshold needs home warranty insurance. See our guides to insurance for tradies and home warranty insurance.
- Contracts. Residential work above a threshold usually needs a written contract with set contents. See how to quote a job.
- Advertising. Show your licence number where your state requires it, including on your website and vehicle.
- Safety. High-risk construction work needs a safe work method statement (SWMS) before work starts, under work health and safety laws.
Keep your licence details where you work
Put your licence number on your quotes, invoices and website. Diarise the renewal date, and keep the certificates and insurance details your licence depends on. Tradie Business keeps your business details on every quote and invoice, and includes SWMS and safety forms for high-risk work. See the features, the pricing, and how it works for builders, plumbers and electricians.
Licence checklist
- Search ABLIS for your trade and location.
- Confirm with your state regulator whether your work needs a licence or registration, and which class.
- Check the dollar thresholds for general building work, and remember specialist trades need a licence at any value.
- Line up the insurance, qualifications and experience your licence requires.
- Check contract and home warranty thresholds for residential work.
- Show your licence number in your advertising where required.
- Before working interstate, check that regulator's requirements.
New to running your own business? Start with our trade business setup checklist.
