Introduction
Builders and tradespeople in NSW need to be licensed to do building work where the total cost of labour and materials is more than $5,000.
Individuals may have their contractor licence endorsed with a Q and this indicates that the licence is also equivalent to a Qualified supervisor certificate.
Certain trades require a specialist contractor licence:
- air conditioning and refrigeration
- electrical
- disconnection and reconnection of fixed electrical equipment
- plumbing, draining and gasfitting
- medical gas.
A list of trades and the licence type required can be found on the Fair Trading website.
Licence applications must be lodged at a service centre, and you can book an appointment online.
What you need
- the PDF forms:
- 'Checklist for Individuals' (based on the category of work you're applying for)
- 'Application Form - Individual'
- 'Additional Details Form/s' (if applicable).
- proof of identity
- one passport size photograph
- documentation that meets the qualification requirements (certificates and transcripts from the registered training organisation)
- your referee's statement (if applicable)
- certificate of eligibility to obtain insurance (if applicable)
- your payment.
How to apply
- Download and complete:
- the relevant 'Checklist for Individuals' to ensure you have the documents required to complete the application form:
- Application Form - Individual – PDF
- Additional Details Form/s as indicated on the application form (if applicable).
- Gather the required supporting documentation.
- Select the 'Book an appointment' button.
- Choose your service centre.
- Schedule your appointment.
- Enter the required details.
- Attend your appointment with your application documents and payment.
More information
- You're legally required to display your licence number on all advertising, stationery and signage.
- Once your licence has been issued, you can access it digitally through the Service NSW app.
- The following classes of contractor licences are issued to individuals and company/partnerships:
- Building:
- general building
- erection of pre-fabricated metal-framed home additions and structures
- kitchen/bathroom/laundry renovation
- structural landscaping
- swimming pool building.
- Trade:
- bricklaying
- carpentry
- decorating
- excavating
- fencing
- general concreting
- glazing
- joinery
- metal fabrication
- minor maintenance/cleaning
- minor trade work
- painting
- plastering
- roof plumbing
- roof slating
- roof tiling
- stonemasonry
- swimming pool repairs and servicing
- underpinning and piering
- wall and floor tiling
- water plumbing
- waterproofing
- wet plastering.
- Specialist work:
- advanced LP gasfitting
- air conditioning
- draining
- electrical wiring
- gasfitting
- LP gasfitting
- medical gasfitting (new regulations apply)
- medical gas technician (new regulations apply)
- plumbing
- refrigeration.
- Building:
- To make sure that you have all the information and documentation you need to complete this transaction, please visit NSW Fair Trading.
Payment methods
Last updated: 23 April 2024