How to check a builder, plumber or electrician licence in VIC, NSW, QLD, SA and WA

Ask for their licence or registration number and the name it is under. A licensed tradie expects the question. If the number belongs to a different name, or they won’t give one, treat that as your answer.

• Builders and plumbers: the Building and Plumbing Commission’s Find a Practitioner search. The BPC replaced the Victorian Building Authority in July 2025, so older guides that send you to the VBA are out of date.
• Electricians: Energy Safe Victoria’s public registers, which include registered electrical contractors and licensed electrical workers.

• All licensed trades, including building, plumbing, electrical and gas: Check a builder or tradesperson’s licence on Service NSW, run by NSW Fair Trading. Search by name, licence number, ABN or suburb, or call Fair Trading on 13 32 20.
• For home building work over $20,000 the builder must have Home Building Compensation cover. SIRA’s HBC Check lets you confirm a certificate.

• Building trades: the QBCC licensee register, or call 139 333. If a contractor does not appear, ask why before going further.
• Electricians: the Electrical Safety Office’s Electrical Licence Search, or call 1300 362 128. It is a separate system from the QBCC.

Use the licence check page on sa.gov.au, run by Consumer and Business Services (131 882). Building licences and plumbing, gas and electrical licences are separate, so check the one that matches the job.

Use Building and Energy’s licence and registration search, which covers builders, plumbers, electricians and gas fitters. Check that the name and licence type match the person quoting you.

1. The name matches the person or business you are dealing with.
2. The licence is current — check the expiry date.
3. It covers your job. Licences come in classes and some carry conditions that limit the work allowed.
4. Conditions or disciplinary history. Several registers show these. Read them.

Licence details on a profile are supplied by the tradie. Always look them up on the state register below before you hire.