How to Check a Tradie's Licence

Every state and territory runs a free public register or search service for licensed builders and trades. Checking takes a couple of minutes and is the single best protection before you hire.

Checked against official sources on 27 September 2026

What to check

Confirm the licence is current, that the name matches the person or company on your contract, and that the licence class covers the work. Check the ABN on the Australian Business Register too; ABN registration alone does not mean a business is licensed.

How we show licences

Aussie Trade Directory shows a licence badge on a listing only after the licence number has been matched on the official register. Listings without a badge may still be licensed, so always check for yourself.

Official licence registers

State / territory	Where to check	Official source
New South Wales	NSW Government licence check (trades and builders).	verify.licence.nsw.gov.au
Victoria	Building and Plumbing Commission practitioner search; Energy Safe Victoria for electricians.	BPC
Queensland	QBCC online licence search.	QBCC
Western Australia	Building and Energy licence and registration search.	Building and Energy
South Australia	Consumer and Business Services licence search.	CBS
Tasmania	CBOS licence search.	CBOS
Australian Capital Territory	Access Canberra public register of licensees.	Access Canberra
Northern Territory	Building Practitioners Board register.	BPB

Regulators

BCBuilding Commission NSW NSW · Building and trade licensing, compliance and complaints BPCBuilding and Plumbing Commission VIC · Builder and plumber registration and licensing (replaced the VBA on 1 July 2025)QBCCQueensland Building and Construction Commission QLD · Building licensing, home warranty scheme and pool safety register B&EBuilding and Energy WA · Builder, painter, plumber, electrical and gas licensing CBSConsumer and Business Services SA · Building work contractor and trade licensing CBOSConsumer, Building and Occupational Services TAS · Building services provider and trade licensing ACAccess Canberra ACT · Construction occupation licensing BPBBuilding Practitioners Board NT · Building practitioner registration ABRAustralian Business Register Australia-wide · Public ABN Lookup and business registration data

Sources

ABN Lookup

This is a general summary, not legal advice. Laws and thresholds change, so confirm with the regulator before you start work. See our legal disclaimer.