Trades and licensing
Start with the goal: demonstrate skills or contract for work?
A request for a “trade certificate” can mean several different applications. Identify the state, actual tasks and who will contract with the customer before choosing a qualification or licence. The examples below concern Queensland; check the local rules for work in another state or territory.
- Qualifications and RPL: a registered training organisation assesses existing skills against a qualification, with further evidence or training where needed.
- TRA skills assessment: skills are assessed for the nominated occupation under the applicable program; outcomes depend on the program and pathway.
- Personal work licence: establishes the regulated work you may perform and any supervision or other conditions.
- Contractor licence: establishes permission for an individual or business to contract for the relevant work; a personal work licence may not include that permission.
Carpentry: match the qualification and QBCC class to your work
The QBCC Carpentry class covers defined work including framing, window and door installation, and timber stairs. Compare your qualification, transcript and project experience with that class. A relevant qualification obtained through RPL still leaves other requirements for the licence type to satisfy. It does not establish permission to contract for a whole house or every renovation task. List the proposed work and check whether additional classes are needed.
Electrical work: check personal and contractor licences separately
Queensland electrical work licences are administered by the Electrical Safety Office. An appropriate licence is required apart from limited statutory exceptions; training permits also have specific conditions. Working for others as a sole trader, partnership or company requires a separate electrical contractor licence. That application involves qualified technical and business persons (QTP and QBP) and insurance requirements. A general QBCC builder or carpentry licence does not replace electrical licensing.
Overseas electricians: what can follow the assessment?
For a Queensland electrical work licence based on trade training and qualifications from outside Australia and New Zealand, the relevant official route involves OSAP assessment by a TRA-approved RTO, an OTSR, an electrical work training permit, Australian gap training and further requirements such as resuscitation and rescue training. An OTSR is not a full electrical work licence. Confirm the route for your background and the supervision conditions during training with the receiving authority.
Plumbing and drainage: performing work and contracting are separate
For Queensland plumbing and drainage work, check the scope, conditions and any endorsements of the personal occupational plumber and/or drainer licence. Qualifications and experience form part of the application checks; provisional licensees must follow supervision conditions. An individual or company contracting for this work must also check the appropriate QBCC contractor licence. Holding a contractor licence does not remove the personal occupational licence requirement for carrying out regulated plumbing or drainage work.
How do employment, subcontracting and company work differ?
Licensing requirements can change with your role even within the same trade. Explain who employs you, who signs the contract and who supervises the work, rather than relying on an ABN alone.
- Employee: many ordinary building tasks can be performed as an employee of a licensed contractor, but supervision and regulated occupations have separate requirements. Employment is not a universal exemption.
- Individual contractor or subcontractor: check the work scope and contractual arrangement. Subcontracting to a builder can differ from subcontracting to a trade contractor.
- Company contractor: where a QBCC licence is required, check the company's application and an eligible nominee licensed in the same class. An employee's personal licence does not replace the company licence.
- Electrical business: the Electrical Safety Office operates a separate system. Check the contractor application for the relevant sole trader, partnership or company structure.
Five questions to settle before applying
Start with a one-page summary of your work and qualifications to clarify the direction. Provide identity documents and other application records when formally required by the receiving organisation.
- Where will you work and what tasks will you perform? Specify framing, wiring or drainage rather than simply “renovation”.
- Will you be employed, contract personally or operate through a company? Who will sign and supervise?
- What are the formal titles, issuing jurisdictions and restrictions of your existing qualifications and licences? Prepare an index of certificates and transcripts.
- Who can verify your experience? List your tasks, project records and suitable referees in date order.
- Which requirements remain? Ask about qualifications, experience, training, supervision and subsequent applications before enrolling.
What preparation can Easy Licence help with?
Easy Licence provides application support for RPL trade qualifications, TRA trade skills assessments and Queensland QBCC licences, including clarifying goals, organising work evidence, preparing documents and following up information requests. Confirm the particular trade and application class first. Electrical work, regulated plumbing and related business permissions require separate checks with the relevant regulator. The responsible providers and authorities make assessment, qualification and licensing decisions.