Does my tradie need a licence in NSW?

By BuilderVet team. Last reviewed 2 November 2026.

Electricians, plumbers, drainers, gasfitters and air conditioning and refrigeration technicians always need a NSW licence or certificate, whatever the job costs. Other tradies, like carpenters, tilers, painters and waterproofers, need a contractor licence to contract for residential work worth more than $5,000 in labour and materials, including GST.

This guide explains the two rules, the difference between a contractor licence and a certificate, and what paperwork to expect from licensed trades. For the search itself, see our guide on how to check if a builder is licensed in NSW. The same Service NSW tool covers tradies.

Which trades always need a licence?

The NSW Government calls these “specialist work”. You need a licence or certificate to carry out, advertise or contract for specialist work regardless of cost, and whether the work is residential, commercial or industrial. Specialist work includes:

• electrical work
• plumbing, draining and gasfitting
• air conditioning and refrigeration, including the associated electrical wiring
• disconnection and reconnection of fixed electrical equipment
• medical gas and mechanical services

Plug-in appliances are the main exception. You don’t need a licensed tradie to plug in a portable air conditioner. The NSW Government also says a licence isn’t required for duct work outside a dwelling.

Which trades need a licence over $5,000?

For other residential building work, the NSW Government says you must have a contractor licence to carry out, advertise or contract for work valued at more than $5,000 in labour and materials, including GST. That covers general trade work such as:

The licence must match the work. The NSW Government gives the example of a subcontractor doing $3,000 of dry plastering on a $30,000 kitchen renovation: they still need a dry plastering contractor licence. So don’t assume a small subcontract is exempt just because that tradie’s share is under $5,000.

What’s the difference between a licence and a certificate?

NSW issues several types of authority. They don’t all let someone quote and sign a contract with you.

The NSW Government says individual contractor licence cards show “contractor licence (Q)” when the holder also has the qualifications of a qualified supervisor. A tradesperson certificate holder can’t sign off work. Their work must be signed off by someone with a current contractor licence or qualified supervisor certificate.

For you, the practical point is this: the business named on your quote and contract should hold a contractor licence for that work. A worker holding only a certificate shouldn’t be the one contracting with you directly.

What paperwork should a licensed tradie give me?

Specialist trades have extra compliance paperwork.

Electricians. Electrical wiring work must be done by, or under the supervision of, a licensed electrician. The person who did the electrical test must submit a Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work (CCEW) to Building Commission NSW no later than seven days after the test. From 1 July 2026, CCEWs must go through the BCNSW eCert portal. The electrician can have the portal email you a copy, which can help with warranty claims.

Plumbers and drainers. At the completion of all plumbing and drainage work, the plumber must complete a Certificate of Compliance and give a copy to the person who arranged the work, such as the owner or builder. Some work also needs a Notice of Work before it starts. Minor work, like replacing tapware or an existing hot water system, generally doesn’t.

Ask for these documents before you make the final payment. Keep them with your contract.

Checklist: before you hire a tradie in NSW

• Work out whether the job is specialist work (always licensed) or other work over $5,000
• Search the Service NSW licence check by name, licence number, ABN, ACN or location
• Check the licence category covers your exact job
• Check the licence is current and note any conditions
• Make sure the name on the licence matches the quote and contract
• Get a written contract for work over $5,000. See our guide to NSW home building contract requirements
• For electrical work, ask for your CCEW copy
• For plumbing work, ask for the Certificate of Compliance
• Don’t pay more than a 10% deposit before work starts

Worked example: a bathroom renovation

Sam wants a $24,000 bathroom renovation. The quote is from a renovation business, and it uses its own plumber, electrician and tiler.

1. Bathroom renovation is “other building work” over $5,000, so the renovation business needs a contractor licence covering it.
2. The plumber and electrician do specialist work, so each needs a licence or certificate however small their part is.
3. The tiler is doing work as part of a job over $5,000, and the dry plastering example tells us subcontractors need a licence for their trade too.
4. The job is over $20,000, so Sam also needs a large jobs contract and a home building compensation certificate before paying a deposit.
5. At the end, Sam asks for the plumber’s Certificate of Compliance and the electrician’s CCEW copy.

How BuilderVet helps

Use the free check on the business name on your quote to see what the public registers show. If you’re building or renovating in NSW, Build Watch watches the builder for 24 months for a one-off A$79 and alerts you if their record changes.

Frequently asked questions

Does a handyman need a licence in NSW?

For general residential work, a contractor licence is needed when the job is worth more than $5,000 in labour and materials, including GST. Any electrical, plumbing, drainage, gasfitting or air conditioning work needs a licence regardless of cost.

Does an electrician need a licence for small jobs?

Yes. Electrical work is specialist work, which needs a licence or certificate regardless of the cost of the work.

Can an apprentice do electrical or plumbing work?

The NSW Government says apprentices and trainees can’t apply for a licence or certificate. For electrical wiring, the law says the work must be done by, or under the supervision of, a licensed electrician.

What is a “contractor licence (Q)”?

It is an individual contractor licence issued to someone with the qualifications and experience to be a qualified supervisor. It lets them contract for work and supervise it.

Do I get a certificate after electrical work?

The electrician must lodge a CCEW with Building Commission NSW within seven days of testing. They can have it emailed to you through the eCert portal.

What should a plumber give me?

At the end of all plumbing and drainage work, the plumber must give a copy of the Certificate of Compliance to the person who arranged the work.

How do I check a tradie’s licence?

Use the Service NSW “Check a builder or tradesperson licence” tool. You can search by name, licence number, licence type, ABN, ACN or location.

Sources

• NSW Government, Categories and classes of building and trade work, https://www.nsw.gov.au/business-and-economy/licences-and-credentials/building-and-trade-licences-and-registrations/categories-of-work (checked 2026-11-02)
• NSW Government, Checking your contractor or tradesperson is qualified, https://www.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-construction/building-or-renovating-a-home/preparing/checking-your-contractor-or-tradesperson-qualified (checked 2026-11-02)
• NSW Government, Apply for a new trade or building licence or certificate, https://www.nsw.gov.au/business-and-economy/licences-and-credentials/building-and-trade-licences-and-registrations/apply (checked 2026-11-02)
• NSW Government, Air conditioning and refrigeration work, https://www.nsw.gov.au/business-and-economy/licences-and-credentials/building-and-trade-licences-and-registrations/air-conditioning-and-refrigeration-work (checked 2026-11-02)
• NSW Government, General building work, https://www.nsw.gov.au/business-and-economy/licences-and-credentials/building-and-trade-licences-and-registrations/general-building-work (checked 2026-11-02)
• NSW Government, Electrical compliance requirements, https://www.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-construction/compliance-and-regulation/electricians/electrical-compliance-requirements (checked 2026-11-02)
• NSW Government, Plumbing inspection documents, https://www.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-construction/compliance-and-regulation/plumbers-and-drainers/plumbing-inspection-documents (checked 2026-11-02)
• NSW Government, Consumer Building Guide, https://www.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-construction/compliance-and-regulation/your-obligations-to-your-customers/how-to-use-consumer-building-guide/guide (checked 2026-11-02)
• Service NSW, Check a builder or tradesperson licence, https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/check-a-builder-or-tradesperson-licence (checked 2026-11-02)
• NSW Government, Guide to providing home building contracts, https://www.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-construction/compliance-and-regulation/your-obligations-to-your-customers/guide-to-providing-home-building-contracts (checked 2026-11-02)

Last reviewed 2 Nov 2026