Contractor licence

A contractor licence is the licence tier (called registration in Victoria and WA) that authorises a person or company to enter into building contracts and advertise for work. It is distinct from a supervisor or tradesperson credential, which only allows the holder to do or supervise the work, not to contract for it. In most states the threshold that triggers the need for a licence is around $5,000 of building work, though the figure varies.

Building licensing generally splits into two kinds of authority:

• A contractor licence: lets you contract with clients, run the building business, and advertise. It is held by the person or company that signs the building contract.
• A supervisor or tradesperson certificate: lets the holder carry out or supervise the work, but not contract for it in their own right.

Work over the state threshold (commonly about $5,000) must be done under a contractor licence held by the contracting party. Contracting unlicensed above the threshold is an offence, and it can make the contract unenforceable and strip the right to recover payment for the work.

For a builder the practical point is to make sure the entity that actually signs the contract holds the right contractor licence for the work and the state. This matters most when you contract through a company: the company needs the licence, usually with a nominated supervisor qualified individual attached. Contracting unlicensed, or outside your licence class, risks penalties, an unenforceable contract, and the loss of your right to be paid, which is a far bigger problem than the licence fee ever was.

Also known as: Builder licence, building contractor licence, contractor registration.

Category: Licensing / Building.

Related

• NSW licensing
• Restricted licence

See also

• SA CBS licensing

References

• NSW licensing (Chalkline) (verified 2026-06-01)

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Last updated: 2026-06-01. Verified: 2026-06-01. Quarterly review for currency.