How to Verify a Contractor Licence in the ACT

To check an ACT builder or tradesperson, start with the public-register links in Access Canberra's choosing-a-tradesperson guidance. Match the holder, occupation, class, endorsements, and conditions to the work. Construction occupation licensing is governed by the Construction Occupations (Licensing) Act 2004, with occupation-specific functions and exemptions.

Licence authority, building approvals, contracts, and insurance are separate checks. This guide was reviewed against the linked official sources on 13 October 2026. It provides general information, not legal advice.

Step-by-Step: How to Check an ACT Construction Licence

What to Look for in ACT Licence Results

• Licence status: Review current official status, including expired, suspended, surrendered, or cancelled records. Follow up restrictions before relying on the result for the proposed work.
• Licence class: The ACT uses builder classes A, B, C, and D. Match the building classification, storeys, and work scope to the official definition; the class label alone is insufficient.
• Construction occupation: Check the specific occupation — builder, plumber, electrician, gasfitter, building assessor, etc. A plumber's licence does not authorise building work and vice versa.
• Scope conditions: The ACT Registrar can impose scope conditions that limit what work a licence holder can undertake — for example, restricting a builder to renovations only, or limiting a plumber to specific categories of plumbing work.
• Expiry date: ACT construction licences have set validity periods. Confirm the licence hasn't expired.

ACT's Licensing Framework

Governing legislation

Construction occupation licensing in the ACT is governed by the Construction Occupations (Licensing) Act 2004. It covers construction occupations in the Territory under a single legislative framework. Supporting legislation includes the Building Act 2004 (which governs building approvals, inspections, and standards), the Building (General) Regulation 2008, and the Civil Law (Sale of Residential Property) Act 2003 (which requires disclosure of building information when selling a property).

Licensing, certification, and complaint roles

The Construction Occupations Registrar administers licensing and enforcement. Building surveyors/private certifiers perform a separate certification role. Building assessors assess energy efficiency; they are not interchangeable with building surveyors. The ACT Government explains these responsibilities and how to find the appropriate professional.

Penalties for unlicensed construction work

Under the Construction Occupations (Licensing) Act, carrying out construction work without the appropriate licence is an offence where licensing is required. Penalties and remedies depend on the offence and circumstances. For a problem with work, use the ACT Government's dispute and complaint pathways to identify regulator, certifier, or tribunal options. Do not assume a licensing issue removes every complaint or insurance right.

Residential building warranty

Qualifying residential building work valued at over $12,000 needs residential building work insurance or an eligible fidelity-fund certificate, subject to the applicable scope and exemptions. This is project-specific cover, not proof supplied by a licence search. Review the ACT Government's residential building work insurance guidance for the covered events, exclusions, and claim limits.

Common ACT Licence Types

This table summarises roles. Check the full occupation-specific scope, endorsements, conditions, and exemptions for your work. Builder demolition and swimming-pool work require the relevant endorsements; a broad class label does not remove specialist restrictions. Storey counting can include below-ground levels under the applicable definitions.

Why Verification Matters in the ACT

Keep the official licence evidence, approved scope, contract, and project insurance documents together. Recheck relevant licence details when the contracting entity, work scope, or licence circumstances change.

A licence check is evidence for a decision, not a guarantee of insurance, statutory rights, or suitability for every job. Teams reviewing ACT and NSW contractors can use the contractor verification API across supported coverage while retaining manual review for ambiguous scope or unavailable results.