How to Check a Builder's Licence in NSW: 5 Simple Steps

The short answer

You can check a builder's licence in NSW for free with the Service NSW 'Check a builder or tradesperson licence' tool. Search by name, licence number or ABN, then confirm the licence is current, is in the same name as your quote, and covers the type of work you need. For jobs over $20,000, also get the Home Building Compensation (HBC) certificate and check it on the public HBC check register before you pay anything.

It takes a few minutes. It is one of the best ways to protect yourself before a renovation, extension or repair. We checked the rules below against NSW Government sources on 7 October 2026.

When a builder or tradie needs a licence

In NSW, a contractor licence is needed for residential building or trade work worth more than $5,000 in labour and materials (including GST).

Some work needs a licence no matter how small the job is. This is called specialist work. It includes electrical work, plumbing, draining, gasfitting, and air conditioning and refrigeration work (except plug-in appliances).

Licences are issued for categories of work. Examples include general building work, carpentry, general concreting, structural landscaping, waterproofing, wall and floor tiling, and kitchen, bathroom and laundry renovation. A licence in one category does not cover every kind of job.

Step 1: Get the right details

Ask the builder for their full name, business or company name, ABN and contractor licence number. Write them down. A good builder will give you these without fuss.

Look at the name on the quote. Is it a person or a company? The licence you check should match the business you will sign the contract with.

Step 2: Search the Service NSW register

Go to the Service NSW 'Check a builder or tradesperson licence' page and select 'Check online'. You can search using any of these: the licensee name, licence number, licence type, ABN, ACN, or a suburb, postcode or council area.

If the builder shows you a digital licence in the Service NSW app, you can check that too. If you cannot find a licence or cannot use the tool, contact NSW Fair Trading for help.

Step 3: Read the result carefully

Finding a name is not enough. Check these points:

• Status: the licence is current, not expired, suspended or cancelled.
• Name: the licence holder matches the person or company on your quote and contract.
• Category: the licence covers the work you need, such as general building work for an extension, or waterproofing for a shower.
• Conditions: read any conditions or restrictions listed on the licence.
• Expiry date: make sure the licence will not lapse part-way through your job.

Step 4: Check the insurance

For residential work over $20,000 (including GST), the builder must give you a certificate showing Home Building Compensation (HBC) cover. They must do this before they start work or take any money, including a deposit. Service NSW says the minimum cover is $340,000.

HBC cover can help you if the builder cannot finish the work or fix defects because they have become insolvent, died, disappeared or had their licence suspended. Check that the certificate shows your address and the right work. Then search for it on the free HBC check register.

The NSW Government guide also suggests asking about public liability and workers compensation insurance.

Step 5: Look a little wider

The NSW Government's step-by-step guide to choosing a builder suggests a few more checks:

• Look up the business on ABN Lookup.
• Check the register of building work orders for restrictions.
• Ask for a current Supervisor Certificate from Building Commission NSW where relevant.
• Ask about past jobs, how long they took and how defects were fixed.

Contract and payment rules in NSW

Once you are happy with the checks, the contract is your next protection.

• Work over $5,000 needs a written contract. For jobs between $5,000 and $20,000, it must be dated, signed and include the contractor's licence number, a description of the work and the price if known.
• Work over $20,000 needs a more detailed contract. The price must be shown on the first page, and you get a cooling-off period of five clear business days.
• The most you can be asked to pay as a deposit is 10%.
• Statutory warranties apply to residential building work: 6 years from completion for major defects and 2 years for other defects.

You may see older articles quoting different contract thresholds. The NSW Government contracts page, updated April 2026, lists the $5,000 and $20,000 thresholds above.

Red flags to watch for

• The builder will not give you a licence number, or the name does not match.
• They ask for more than a 10% deposit, or want cash only.
• There is no written contract, or they push you to sign on the spot.
• The licence covers a different type of work.
• They want a deposit on a job over $20,000 before giving you an HBC certificate.
• They knock on your door after a storm or flood offering cheap repairs.

Questions to ask your tradie

• What is your contractor licence number, and which categories does it cover?
• Will you or a subcontractor do the work? Are they licensed too?
• Can I see your HBC certificate before I pay a deposit?
• Do you hold public liability insurance?
• What does your quote include and exclude?
• How do you handle variations and defects?

If something goes wrong

Raise the problem with your builder in writing first. If that does not work, you can lodge a complaint with Building Commission NSW. If the builder cannot finish or fix the work because they are insolvent, have died or disappeared, you may be able to claim on the HBC cover.

Find a licensed local trade

Describe your job to MyTradeCrew and we will try to match you with vetted, licensed and insured local trades for quotes. You should still run your own licence and insurance checks before you sign. The steps above take only a few minutes.

Frequently asked questions