The four checks
Licence, on the state register
We look the plumber up on the register for the state they work in. We look at the name, the licence number, the class of work it covers and whether it is current, then match that class to the jobs they want.
Public liability insurance
The plumber sends us a current public liability certificate, which we keep on file. When the policy renews, we ask for the new certificate. That means a fresh one at least once a year.
An active ABN
We confirm the business has an active ABN before it joins.
Google reviews, read by a person
Someone on our team reads them, rather than trusting a star average.
Where each licence is checked
| Register | How it can be checked | |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | The NSW Public Register | NSW publishes an official Trades API, so licences can be checked by software on a schedule |
| Queensland | The QBCC licensee register and the Occupational plumber and drainer register, through myQBCC | By hand, one licence at a time |
| Western Australia | WA Online Licence Search | By hand, one licence at a time |
| Victoria, SA, Tasmania, ACT, NT | The licence register for that state or territory | By hand, one licence at a time |
What a register can show
The NSW register shows the name, licence numbers, categories and expiry dates, plus conditions on the licence, any cancellation or suspension, public warnings, formal cautions, penalty notices and prosecution results.
In the ACT, Access Canberra says you can "view detailed licence statuses, including expired, suspended, surrendered and cancelled licences".
No state except NSW was found to offer a licence API or bulk download, which is why the rest are looked up by hand.
Checking again
Every three months, we look up each plumber's licence on the register again. If a homeowner complains about a plumber, we check that licence straight away rather than waiting.
A licence that was current on joining day can change later. Regulators do act: Building Commission NSW suspended the licences of one plumbing company and its director in August 2025 over possible overcharging for emergency work.
What a check cannot tell you
A licence check says a plumber may do the work. It says nothing about their price, their manners or how tidy they leave the job.
So ask for a written quote before work starts, and an itemised invoice at the end. Building Commission NSW listed the lack of both among the practices of two plumbing businesses it banned in June 2026.
Check the plumber yourself
Ask for the licence number
A plumber should give it without fuss.
Look it up
Use the register for your state. Our guide on checking a plumber's licence shows where to go.
Match it to the job
See that the class of work covers yours, such as gasfitting for a gas hot water system.