Apply for a new trade or building licence or certificate

Contractor licence for individual or company and partnership 

A contractor licence allows you to contract and advertise to do work. You can only do the types of work described on your licence card. Contractor licences can be issued to individuals and to companies and partnerships. 

Individual contractor licences may also be called endorsed contractor licences. These are only issued to individuals that hold the required qualifications and experience needed to be a qualified supervisor. Individual contractor licence cards have ‘contractor licence (Q)’ printed on them to show they are also equivalent to a qualified supervisor certificate.

You can apply for a 1-, 3- or 5-year contractor licence.

Qualified supervisor certificate

A qualified supervisor certificate is issued to individuals and allows you to supervise and do the work described on your certificate. A qualified supervisor certificate does not allow you to contract and advertise for work.

You can apply for a 1-, 3- or 5-year qualified supervisor certificate.  

Tradesperson certificate

A tradesperson certificate is issued to individuals and allows you to work with minimum supervision. You can only do the types of work described on your certificate.

Individuals who hold a tradesperson certificate cannot sign off on work. Any work you do must be overseen and signed off by someone who holds a contractor licence or qualified supervisor certificate.

You can apply for a 1-, 3- or 5-year tradesperson certificate.

Provisional tradesperson certificate

A provisional tradesperson certificate can also be issued in select categories work if you have the required offshore technical qualifications. These are:

• plumbing
• water plumbing – fire protection systems
• water plumbing – urban irrigation
• draining
• gasfitting
• electrical
• airconditioning and refrigeration.

A provisional tradesperson certificate is only issued for 3 years and cannot be renewed.

Check that you have the right qualifications and experience for the category of work you are applying for. These include:

1. General building work
2. Other building work
3. Specialist work
4. Trade work

Learn more about each category of work.

Make sure you have the applicant’s checklist for the work category you are applying for:

• Company and partnership: Application checklist – company or partnership 
• General building work Applicant's checklist for individual applicants– general building work ('building')
•  Specialist work Applicant’s checklist for individual applicants for specialist work categories  
• Trade and other building work Applicant's checklist for individual applicants for other building work and trade categories

If required by your work category, you should also download and complete the referees' statement form . Note: this information is found in the applicant checklist for your work category.

Apply online or in person for company and partnership contractor licences

Note that if you have an ABN, you can apply for a company or partnership licence online. 

Apply online with your MyService NSW account

You can also apply in person at your nearest Service NSW centre - remember to bring your completed and signed applicant's checklist and all relevant items as outlined in the checklist.

Apply online for individual contractor licences - electrical work only

You may apply online for individual contractor licences in the specialist electrical work category. 

Apply online with your MyService NSW account

You can also apply in person at your nearest Service NSW centre - remember to bring your completed and signed applicant's checklist and all relevant items as outlined in the checklist.

Apply in person for individual contractor licences, qualified supervisor or provisional tradesperson certificates

You must apply in person for individual contractor licences and qualified supervisor certificates. You can also apply in person for a provisional tradesperson certificate.

To apply in person, you will need:

1. proof of identity, including address (such as driver’s licence or passport)
2. 1 recent passport sized photo
3. payment for the application fee. See fees page for details.
4. your completed application form for individuals
5. your completed application checklist for individuals
6. a referees' statement form (if required for your category of work)
7. an original copy of your qualifications
8. details of any past compliance issues, insolvency matters, or criminal offences (if applicable)
9. to provide details of your employment and experience on the application form (for building and specialist categories only)
10. certificate of eligibility to obtain insurance (if applicable).

Book individual contractor licence appointment

Book qualified supervisor certificate appointment

Or find out more about in-person appointments for provisional tradesperson certificates

Apply online for tradesperson certificates

You may apply online for tradesperson certificates. 

Apply online with your MyService NSW account

You can also apply in person at your nearest Service NSW - remember to bring your completed and signed applicant's checklist and all relevant items as outlined in the checklist.