Information for consumers – Automatic Mutual Recognition
Find out how you can check the licence and insurance details of interstate licensees working in NSW under Automatic Mutual Recognition (AMR).
Checking licence details
Consumers wanting to contract work from an interstate licensee working in NSW under AMR can verify licence or registration details online for the following occupations:
- Asbestos and demolition
- Building work (including plumbers, drainers and gasfitters, electrical)
- Commercial agents
- Design and building practitioners
- Registered surveyors
- Traffic control
More occupations under AMR will be added to this list of NSW public registers in future.
To verify a licence or registration in an occupation other than those listed above, you will need to check the licence with the home state register or contact that regulator.
Checking insurance details
Before your builder or contractor starts any kind of residential building work valued at $20,000 or more (or receives any payment under the building contract for that work, including a deposit), they must provide you with evidence of cover under the home building compensation (HBC) scheme (for example, icare HBCF issues Certificates of Insurance) specifically for your property.
Providing HBC cover to homeowners for residential projects valued at $20,000 or more, (unless exempted under the Home Building Act 1989), is compulsory for all licensed builders and contractors. From 14 May 2024, interstate licensees working under AMR in NSW may be eligible to apply for home building insurance.
The State Insurance Regulatory Authority has an online check where you can verify whether your home building tradesperson has the required insurance to undertake projects of $20,000 or more in NSW.
You can also check the publicly available certificates register, containing all certificates issued by icare HBCF and other providers.