What the NSW Public Register shows
- The licensee's name, licence numbers, categories of work and expiry dates.
- Any conditions endorsed on the licence.
- Cancellations and suspensions, under either the Home Building Act 1989 or the Fair Trading Act 1987.
- Section 23 public warnings, formal cautions, penalty notices and prosecution results.
The NSW Government's page on checking a contractor or tradesperson, linked in our sources, explains the search. Make sure the category matches your job and the expiry date hasn't passed.
Who regulates plumbing in NSW
Building Commission NSW handles plumbing and drainage, while NSW Fair Trading sets the requirements for building trade advertising. In metropolitan areas, job notices go to Building Commission NSW through MyInspections. Outside them, they go to the local council regulator.
What an NSW plumbing ad must show
The licensee's name and licence number must appear in all advertising: print, internet, television, radio and the rest. A registered business name can stand in for the licensee's name. Fair Trading also expects the licence number with the correct category of work, plus a business phone number.
You should be able to tell who placed any ad you see. One with no licence number deserves a question before you book.
The paperwork on an NSW plumbing job
Before work starts: a Notice of Work
The plumber lodges a form outlining the plumbing and drainage work. Emergency work doesn't need one. Nor do minor works such as new tap ware, swapping an existing hot water system, or a bathroom renovation that leaves fixtures where they are.
Drainage jobs: a Sewer Service Diagram
Drainage work needs this diagram as well as the other documents.
At the end: a Certificate of Compliance
It confirms the work complies with the Act, the Regulation and the Plumbing Code of Australia. It's lodged when the work is complete, or before a final inspection is arranged.
Your copy
The plumber or drainer must provide a copy to whoever arranged the work. File it with your house papers.
Hot water in NSW
Replacing a hot water heater in NSW means fitting a temperature control device, even when the new heater is like-for-like. Building Commission NSW says this applies regardless of the heater's type or location. Replacing only a solar collection panel is the exception.
At showers, baths, handbasins and bidets, the limit is 50°C. Our tempering valves page covers the parts involved.
Moving to a heat pump or solar system can attract an Energy Savings Scheme discount. The published amounts are indicative only, you must make a minimum payment, and your quote should confirm the discount is included. See NSW hot water discounts.
Match the invoice to the licence
In August 2025 Building Commission NSW suspended Australian Trades Pty Ltd, whose trading names included Dan's Plumbing AUS, over possible misrepresentations and overcharging for emergency plumbing. In June 2026 two companies found acting as its proxies had their licences cancelled. The business on your quote and invoice should be the one you looked up.
Cities in NSW
Pages for Sydney, Newcastle, the Central Coast, Wollongong and regional NSW are listed below. Choose yours and we'll put your job with one NSW-licensed plumber who specialises in it.