What licences does a subcontractor need on an Australian building site?
Every subcontractor needs a White Card nationally, plus whichever state-issued trade licence and insurance their trade and state require — there's no single national licence beyond the White Card, but the pattern below is consistent everywhere.
This page is general information only, based on publicly available sources as at the date this page was last reviewed (see the sources listed further down this page for that date). It is not legal, compliance, or insurance advice, is not exhaustive, and may not reflect the most current requirements -- regulations, licensing rules, and insurance thresholds change, and requirements can vary by project, site, and contract. Always verify current requirements directly with the relevant state or territory regulator, your insurer, or a qualified advisor before relying on anything here.
Does the White Card apply to every subcontractor?
Anyone carrying out construction work unsupervised needs a general construction induction (White) card, regardless of trade or which state they're working in. It's issued once by a registered training organisation and generally recognised across every state and territory. See our full White Card explainer for the detail on what it covers and whether it expires.
What trade licences does a subcontractor need?
Electrical work and plumbing (including gasfitting) are licensed trades in every state and territory — a subcontractor doing that work needs a current licence from that state's regulator. Beyond those two, which trades need a specific licence varies: some states require a contractor or trade licence above a certain contract value, or for specific categories of work like gas, refrigeration, or building surveying, while the same trade can be regulated more lightly elsewhere. There is no shortcut here — check the trade against the specific state's licensing body where the work is happening, not a general national list, because one genuinely doesn't exist. Our NSW and VIC guides cover two states in detail; the rest are listed in the full sources list.
Does a subcontractor need their own insurance?
Public liability insurance is commonly required either as a condition of the trade licence itself or by the head contractor before a subcontractor starts on site — separate from whatever home building compensation or warranty insurance the builder holds for the overall project. A subcontractor operating as a business typically also needs an ABN and, depending on the trade, may need its own equipment-specific cover. None of this is a single blanket national law; it's a combination of licensing conditions and commercial expectations that add up to the same practical result almost everywhere.
What high-risk work licences might a subcontractor need?
Operating a crane, forklift, scaffold, or rigging equipment needs a separate high-risk work licence from the state WHS regulator, on top of everything above. Most sites also run their own induction covering that specific site's layout and hazards, which is a one-off per project rather than a licence that travels with the worker.
Check the specific state and trade
Because this genuinely varies, the most reliable next step is the licensing body for the state and trade in question.
- Safe Work Australia
National WHS policy body
This page was last reviewed against the sources below on 1 October 2026. See the full sources list for every state and territory's WHS regulator and licensing body.
Frequently asked questions
Is there one national licence that covers every trade?
No. The general construction induction (White) card is the one requirement that works the same way nationally. Trade and builder licensing is set and issued separately by each state and territory, so there's no single licence that automatically covers a subcontractor everywhere.
Do all trades need a specific licence?
Not necessarily. Electrical and plumbing/gasfitting work is licensed in every state and territory. Other trades vary: some states require a contractor or trade licence above a certain contract value or for specific work types, while the same trade might be less tightly regulated in another state. Check the specific state's licensing body for the trade in question.
Does a subcontractor need their own insurance?
Often, yes -- public liability insurance is commonly required as a condition of holding a trade licence, and head contractors frequently require subcontractors to hold their own cover before starting on site, separate from whatever home building compensation or warranty insurance the builder carries.
Does a trade licence expire or need renewal?
Yes, generally -- unlike the White Card, a state-issued trade or builder licence typically has a renewal period set by the issuing regulator, and lapses if it isn't renewed on time. See our explainer on what happens if a licence lapses for the practical consequences.
Can someone start work while their licence application is still being processed?
Generally, no -- licensed work requires holding the licence, not having merely applied for one. Processing times and any interim arrangements vary by state and trade, so check directly with the relevant licensing body before assuming work can start.
Does a subcontractor need to be a registered business to hold a licence?
In most states, a licence is held by an individual or a licensed business entity, and many trade licences do require an ABN or business registration as part of the application. The exact requirement depends on the state and the licence category -- check the specific licensing body for the trade in question.
What's the difference between a builder's licence and a trade licence?
A builder's or contractor's licence covers managing and supervising building work as a whole, while a trade licence (electrical, plumbing, gasfitting, and others) covers carrying out that specific trade's work. A project can need both: the head contractor's builder licence and each subcontractor's own trade licence, verified separately.