Kick Start Guide to Trade Contractor Licensing – New South Wales and Queensland

September 5, 2023

For tradespeople operating in New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland (QLD), obtaining the appropriate licensing is not just a formality; it's a vital component for the legality and credibility of your business.

Introduction

For tradespeople operating in New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland (QLD), obtaining the appropriate licensing is not just a formality; it’s a vital component for the legality and credibility of your business. With complex requirements, forms to fill out, and varying regulations between states, the process can be confusing and time-consuming. That’s where we come in. We assist you in preparing project portfolios, reference statements, and guide you through the nuances of construction licensing so you can focus on what you do best—your trade.

Value of Work

The financial threshold for requiring a contractor’s licence varies between NSW and QLD. For example, in NSW, you’ll need a contractor licence to do residential building work worth more than $5,000, including labour and materials. In QLD, the limit is $3,300. Knowing these limits is essential for operating within the law and maintaining your business’s reputation. Please also note that splitting contracts for labour and materials does not avoid a licence. Similarly, with progress claim invoices, even though they may be issued separately, it’s the total cost over the life of the project.

Home Warranty – How Does It Apply in NSW and QLD?

Home Warranty Insurance, or Home Building Compensation Fund in NSW, is mandatory for specific kinds of work. In NSW, any residential project costing over $20,000 requires such insurance. QLD follows similar rules but under the Queensland Home Warranty Scheme. Failing to comply with these requirements can result in penalties and could compromise your licence. We’ll ensure you understand when Home Warranty applies to your trade, allowing you to secure appropriate coverage.

Advertising

When advertising your services, you must include your contractor licence number; this holds for both NSW and QLD. Inclusion of your licence number not only complies with regulations but also builds trust with potential clients. We can guide you on the best practices for advertising your licensed business.

No Licence, No Pay

Operating without a licence in NSW and QLD is illegal, and it severely impacts your capacity to enforce payment claims for the work performed. Simply put, no licence means no legal standing to demand or receive payment. Our services help expedite the licensing process, ensuring you never face this predicament. This can apply whether you are subcontracting to a builder or owner directly.

Site Supervision and RTO Referral Network

Having the right site supervisor with the proper credentials is crucial. We can connect you with our Registered Training Organizations (RTO) referral network to make sure your supervisors meet the necessary qualifications for your projects in NSW and QLD. If you personally are also supervising projects, you should be keeping records if you want to upgrade your licence in the future.

The Importance of Contracts and Subcontracts

Operating with clearly defined contracts and subcontracts is integral to the success and legality of your projects. These documents lay out the scope of work, payment terms, and other crucial details that protect both parties. Moreover, they are essential for compliance with licensing laws. Having a proper contract in place can save you from potential legal disputes and reinforce your professional credibility.

Business Structure – Operating Business through a Company/Partnership/Trust

Your choice of business structure, whether it’s a sole trader, partnership, company, or trust, will have implications on tax, liability, and even the type of licence you require. We offer guidance on the best structure to suit your specific business needs and help you navigate the licensing differences for each.

Example of Licence Classes

Licence classes can differ dramatically between NSW and QLD, ranging from general building work to specialized trades like carpentry, plastering, tiling, waterproofing, structural landscaping etc. Understanding which licence class is right for you is vital, and we can help clarify these categories.

Conclusion

With all the regulations, forms, and procedures, obtaining the correct trade licences in NSW and QLD can seem like a daunting task. Our comprehensive services make the process seamless and tailored to your trade and specific needs. Don’t navigate this complex landscape alone; let us guide you every step of the way.

Recent Articles

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Engaged the team at construction licensing to do a proof read of my builders application, and then to help with my response to qbcc. They gave me good feedback in … More a timely fashion, especially when I received my RFI, Yasmine called after hours on a Friday afternoon to talk me through what I needed to do. I'm glad I pushed on and got a second opinion from them, as my application got approved! Couldn't thank these guys enough making aseemingly complex process nice and simple.
Look Homes ★★★★★
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Tameka Plummer ★★★★★
If I could give 10 stars I wouldRebecca assisted in obtaining my husbands builders license through RPLShe was extremely approachable & had a wealth of knowledge, … More nothing was ever a bother for her.Rebecca was very prompt in responding & always called back in a timely manner.
Liz Li ★★★★★
Fantastic experience with the License Specialist team! They expertly guided me through the QBCC licensing process, helping organize all my documents and offering … More valuable suggestions to make sure everything was spot on. Their professionalism and attention to detail were exceptional. Special thanks to Yasmine for her outstanding support!
Emma Duncan ★★★★★
We have just completed a journey of some 9 months with Construction Licensing's team, Yasmine and Rebecca.It has ended in complete success, with my husband … More Gordon, now the holder of his Builders Low Rise Licence (obtained in April), and Building Inspector's License (obtained in September on Friday 13th!).Gordon had all the skills, certificates, and expertise for both licenses, but what we lacked was the ability to navigate the QBCC’s unseen requirements and paperwork. The details that aren’t asked for on the their forms! Construction Licensing supported us with this professional knowledge and insight, and guided us, step by step through the application process.From my first contact with Rebecca, to Yasmine's lengthy and ongoing case work with us both, offering support, guidance, co-ordination and from time to time emotional counselling (LOL), Construction Licensing have taken the details that we had gathered together, and helped us get them into a format that clearly showcased Gordon’s skills, professionalism and abilities to hold the licenses he was applying for.Gordon and I cannot recommend Construction licensing highly enough to anyone who needs help navigating the sometimes murky waters of licensing paperwork.It was an absolute pleasure to deal with you Yasmine and Rebecca. Thank you so much, warmest thanks,Emma and Gordon.
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Great team and great experience. Yasmine was incredibly helpful. Would recommend to everyone!
john gowland ★★★★★
Rebecca and the team were amazing and very professional. Their service and advice were of a very high standard in assisting us with our license application. Would … More highly recommend using them. Nothing was too hard and their communication and knowledge to help streamline the application process was outstanding
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