Make the checks in five steps
In short
Ask for the legal name and ABN of the person or business on the quote, then check that identity against official business records. Use the regulator for the state or territory where the property is located to check the required licence or registration, its status, permitted work and conditions. Ask for current insurance evidence and check whether separate cover is required for your particular building job. An active ABN identifies a business; it does not authorise trade work or prove insurance cover.
Step 1
Match the quote to the person or business you will hire
Ask for the full legal name, business name, Australian Business Number (ABN), contact address and relevant licence numbers. The contracting party is the person or business that agrees to do the work for you. A salesperson, employee or subcontractor may be someone else.
Search the ABN on ABN Lookup and compare the entity name, business names and status with the quote. If a business name needs explaining, use ASIC’s business names register to find its holder. Ask for a corrected quote or written explanation where names differ. A familiar logo or a licence number belonging to someone else is insufficient.
What each record tells you
| Record | Check it for |
|---|---|
| Quote or contract | The legal person or business responsible for your work, its ABN and contact details. |
| ABN Lookup | The business identity, active or cancelled ABN, and GST registration status. |
| ASIC business names register | Who holds the registered business name used in the quote. |
| Trade licence or practitioner registration | Authorisation for specified work, subject to its status, class and conditions. |
| Insurance documents | The named insured, type of cover, policy period and limits; the policy determines what a claim covers. |
Step 2
Use the register for the property’s state or territory
Start with the location and actual work, rather than the address of the business. Licensing requirements differ by trade, job value and jurisdiction. Some work needs an occupational licence regardless of price; other work has thresholds or exemptions. If unsure which class applies, give the regulator your written scope and ask.
The official links below lead to registers or government pages that link to them. If a tradie relies on an interstate licence or mutual recognition, ask the local regulator how to confirm their authority to do this job. A missing local search result needs clarification before you proceed.
Where to start your licence search
| Property location | Official lookup route |
|---|---|
| New South Wales | Service NSW builder and tradesperson licence check. |
| Victoria | Building and Plumbing Commission for builders and plumbers; Energy Safe Victoria for electrical licences and contractor registration. |
| Queensland | QBCC for building and plumbing records; Electrical Safety Office for electrical worker and contractor licences. |
| Western Australia | Building and Energy licence and registration search for building, electrical, plumbing and gas work. |
| South Australia | Consumer and Business Services licence register for builders, plumbers, electricians and gas fitters. |
| Tasmania | Official Find a licensed tradesperson search for building, electrical, plumbing and gas work. |
| Australian Capital Territory | Access Canberra construction occupation public registers, linked from its choosing a tradesperson guide. |
| Northern Territory | Building Practitioners Board for builders; Plumbers and Drainers Licensing Board for plumbers; Territory Services for electrical contractors. |
Step 3
Read the licence class, status and conditions
Search by licence number where possible, then confirm the holder’s name. Read the type and class of licence, current status, expiry date and restrictions. Review any disciplinary information or public warnings the register provides. A current licence for one type of work does not establish permission for every task in a renovation.
Check which credentials the contracting business needs and which the person doing or supervising the work needs. These can be different. For example, Victoria grants plumbing registration and licences to individuals, not plumbing companies. A registered plumber cannot issue compliance certificates; the supervising licensed plumber in the relevant class must do so when a certificate is required.
For an illustrative bathroom job, list plumbing, electrical work and waterproofing separately. Ask who will carry out each part and who supplies required completion certificates. Check each relevant authorisation rather than assuming the builder’s record covers every worker. If a licence expires before the proposed work, check its renewal before work starts.
Step 4
Ask which insurance covers the work
Ask for a certificate of currency, a document showing that an insurance policy is in force, for relevant cover such as public liability. Match the named insured to the business you are hiring and check the insurer, policy number, period of cover and limit. If the names differ, ask the insurer or broker to explain the relationship. Ask how the proposed activities and any subcontractors are covered.
A certificate summarises cover; policy terms, exclusions and claim circumstances determine whether a loss is covered. Ask for clarification from the insurer or licensed broker if the scope is unclear. Do not assume public liability will pay to redo defective work or complete an unfinished job.
Ask the local building regulator whether your project requires separate home building, domestic building or home warranty insurance, and when the evidence must be supplied. Scheme names, thresholds, exclusions and claim triggers differ. Where required, check the certificate for your property and work, rather than accepting a general statement that the builder can obtain cover.
Insurance types answer different questions
| Cover | What to ask |
|---|---|
| Public liability | Does the policy cover liability for injury or property damage arising from the proposed activities, subject to its terms? |
| Professional indemnity | If design or professional advice is included, what cover applies to claims arising from that service? |
| Workers compensation | What cover is required for employees under the applicable state or territory rules? This serves a different purpose from public liability. |
| Project-specific building insurance | Does your jurisdiction require it for this work, and is there a valid certificate for this property and contract? |
Step 5
Resolve gaps before accepting the quote
Pause if the quote names one business, the licence belongs to another, or the insurance dates do not cover the proposed work. Ask for an explanation and corrected documents. Confirm unclear licence results directly with the regulator. Where impersonation is a concern, contact the licensed business using independently found contact details to confirm who represents it.
Keep the quote, dated register results, insurance evidence and written answers. Recheck if the contracting business, scope, subcontractors or start date changes. These checks help you assess credentials; they do not guarantee workmanship, financial stability or a successful insurance claim. Use references and examples of similar completed work as part of your hiring decision.
Sources and useful links
Sources checked 6 October 2026
- ABN Lookup
Business identity, ABN status and GST registration; separate from occupational licensing.
- ASIC: business names register
Identifies the holder of a registered business name.
- Service NSW: builder and tradesperson licence check
- Building and Plumbing Commission: practitioner checks
- Energy Safe Victoria: public registers
- QBCC: checking a licensee’s record
Queensland guidance on licence classes, status, conditions and related entities.
- Queensland Electrical Safety Office: electrical licences
- WA Building and Energy: licence and registration search
- SA Consumer and Business Services: licence holders
- Tasmania: licensed tradesperson search
The CBOS website says its functions moved to Consumer Affairs Tasmania and Building Standards Tasmania from 1 October 2026. Follow current official guidance as websites transition.
- Access Canberra: choosing a tradesperson
Links ACT public registers and advises checking identity and public liability evidence.
- NT Government: builder registration check
- NT Plumbers and Drainers Licensing Board
Licensed plumber list and guidance on supervised workers and certifying plumbers. Contact the board if a record is unclear.
- NT Territory Services: electrical contractor check
- Victoria: plumbing registration and licensing
Explains individual accreditation, supervision and compliance certificate responsibilities in Victoria.
- business.gov.au: business insurance types
General insurance distinctions; requirements depend on activity and jurisdiction.
- NSW Government: insurance requirements for contractors
NSW building cover is a separate project check. Its requirements are not national rules.
- QBCC: combating licence fraud
Supports matching a licence record to the person and business offering the work.
