Proof of identity for building and trade licences and registrations

You will need to provide proof of your identity, including address, when you are applying for or renewing your building or trade licence, certificate, practitioner registration or owner-builder permit.

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Proof of identity is required with every application for an individual home building licence, certificate or permit. This accountability reduces fraudulent conduct in the home building industry.

You need to provide proof of identity (POI) when you apply for the following licences, certificates and permits:

individual contractor
qualified supervisor
tradesperson certificate
owner-builder permit.

Proving your identity

You must show evidence in person at any Service NSW centre. Applications will not be accepted by mail, fax or electronic means.

Your application must include one recent passport-quality photograph. The photograph will be used to verify your identity and will be placed on your Building Commission NSW file.

Three forms of identification are required:

One document from List 1
One document from List 2 that includes your current residential address
One additional document from List 2 or one document from List 3.

List 1

Current Australian driver’s licence or other such equivalent photo card issued by a State or Territory Government agency
Current Australian passport
Current non-Australian passport

Note: Documents must either be current or up to 12 months old at the time they are presented as specified in each list.

List 2

Items from this list must be no more than 12 months old:

Passbook or account statement from a bank, building society or credit union
Telephone, gas or electricity bill
Water rates, council rates or land valuation notice
Residential tenancy agreement
Current insurance renewal for house, contents, vehicle or boat
Taxation notice of assessment
Electoral enrolment card or the evidence of enrolment

Note: If you have provided two documents from List 2, with at least one evidencing your current residential address, you do not need to supply a document from List 3.

List 3

Current Medicare card
Current ATM, credit or debit card with your name and signature issued by a bank, building society, credit union, or any other financial institution
Current student identity card or a certificate or statement of enrolment no more than 12 months old from an education institution
Current photo identification card issued for NSW regulatory purposes. This includes a NSW Firearms licence, NSW Security operator licence, NSW Commercial Agents and Private Inquiry Agents operator licence

Get in touch with Building Commission NSW

Need help with an application or want to know more about training and accreditation? Get in touch with Building Commission NSW.

Call:13 27 00Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm (excluding public holidays)

From overseas, call:+612 3814 0545