The ACT Government is working to improve the safety, quality and professionalism of the building and construction industry. Currently, in the ACT you need a licence for a range of trades.
We are exploring options to extend licensing to trades such as brick and block laying, carpentry, concreting, glazing, painting and decorating, plastering, tiling and waterproofing. We want to ensure the community can have confidence that tradespeople working in the ACT have the skills, experience and knowledge needed to deliver high‑quality work, and for any new requirements to be fair, clear and realistic for people workers and business owners.
The project is currently in the planning and policy development phase.
Licensing plays a key role in ensuring safe and compliant building work in the ACT. Under current laws, you must hold a licence to work as a:
- builder (including owner‑builder)
- electrician
- plumber, drainer or gasfitter
- building surveyor (private certifier)
- building assessor
- gas appliance worker
- works assessor
- plumbing plan certifier
These roles are licensed under the Construction Occupations (Licensing) Act 2004.
This project will explore whether licensing should be expanded to additional construction trades, how licensing could improve quality and consumer confidence, and what impacts different licensing models may have on workers, businesses, and the community. Work will also consider how any new licensing framework would interact with existing pathways, qualifications, and other laws.
Project timeline
The Trade Licensing Project is currently in the policy development phase. Consultation has now closed. Implementation of any changes is not expected before 2027. No final decisions will be made until a detailed impact assessment has been completed.
Consultation now closed
Consultation on possible changes to trade licensing in the ACT has now closed.
During consultation, we asked people working in and around construction trades to share their views on whether a small number of additional trades should require a licence. The focus was on understanding how any future licensing changes could support safe, high‑quality work while avoiding unnecessary regulatory burden for tradespeople and businesses.
The ACT Government sought feedback from those with direct experience in the building and construction industry, including:
- tradespeople
- apprentices
- subcontractors
- small and large businesses
- industry associations
Participants were invited to review the Consultation Paper [PDF 1.2 MB] ,and provide feedback through a targeted survey.
All feedback received is being analysed and will help inform policy development. A Listening Report summarising what we heard from industry and stakeholders will be published here once finalised.
FAQs
The ACT Government is considering extending trade licensing to create clearer, more consistent standards across the construction sector and improve the quality and safety of construction work. While many trades do operate well now, licensing helps ensure everyone meets a baseline of skills and competency. This improves the quality and safety of construction work, supports consumer confidence and strengthens the reputation of the industry.
The Government recognises the construction cost and workforce pressures facing the construction industry. A key goal of this project is to only extend licensing where it clearly delivers value, by improving safety, quality and consumer confidence, and to do so with the least possible burden on tradies and businesses. Any future requirements will be carefully designed to balance consumer protection with the practical realities of the workforce. The goal is to strengthen the industry, not burden it, and the government will continue to work with tradies, employers and peak bodies as the project develops.
The project includes examining options to minimise cost and reduce administrative requirements. The aim is to ensure that any licensing model supports trades by improving industry professionalism, completion of training and protecting those doing the right thing. The cost versus benefit will be central to future decisions.
The ACT Government’s licensing framework operates on a cost-recovery basis, meaning fees are designed to cover the cost of running the licensing system, not to generate additional revenue.
The cost of poor building quality can’t be overlooked. This project aims to ensure we get things right the first time by lifting standards, and reducing the cost of fixing defects and undertaking repairs.
The ACT Government is still in the early planning phase and will work closely with industry to understand potential costs. The intent is to strike the right balance and ensure that any licensing model does not create unnecessary burden for businesses or homeowners, while also strengthening quality and accountability. Improving consistency of work across key trades can help reduce costly defects, ultimately protecting homeowners from expensive repairs and improving confidence in the homes they buy.
Stronger licensing helps accelerate housing delivery by reducing defects and repairs, improving scheduling reliability, and minimising construction delays, allowing homes to move through the build process more smoothly and reach buyers sooner.
Feedback will guide the project’s direction and how and when any changes to trade licensing are introduced. It will also help government decide the best way to proceed, including timelines that work for industry. There will also be transition periods put in place to support existing workers to continue in the new licensing scheme. Future timing will be announced once we have determined the preferred approach.
Contact us
If you have questions, you can email us. Submissions can also be emailed to us. Remember to tell us whether your submission is confidential or if it can be made public.
