ACT builder licence

• Who needs a licence in the ACT: Builders, electricians, plumbers, and supervisors carrying out work on site
• What stays in their way: Requirements are buried in legislation, and training providers often give conflicting advice. 
• The solution: Focus on proving the scope and recency of your experience with solid referee statements. 
• Why now: With residential construction booming with the ACT’s Housing Supply and Land Release Program, getting your licence sorted now is the best way to secure coming projects. 

If you’re working in construction in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), getting the right licence can feel harder than it should be. Between vague government guidance, paperwork overload and conflicting advice from training providers, it’s no surprise plenty of tradies put it off or get stuck halfway through.

But with residential construction expanding across under the ACT’s Housing Supply and Land Release Program, and the rise of specialised roles like renewable energy and sustainability supervisors, licensing is becoming more important than ever. If you want to win more contract work and secure your income, understanding ACT licensing is essential.

Why licensing in the ACT feels so hard

One of the biggest issues tradies face is uncertainty. There’s no simple government page that says, “You need X years of experience, Y qualification and Z documents.” Instead, requirements are spread across legislation and policy, and often only become clear once your application is assessed.

Then there’s the paperwork. Most tradies didn’t get into the industry to sit behind a desk. Tracking down referees, explaining old jobs and filling out forms is usually the last thing anyone wants to do.

On top of that, there’s confusion. Training organisations often give broad or conflicting advice, and without clear direction from the regulator, many applicants give up. Some keep working without a licence, risking fines, rejected insurance claims, or losing money if something goes wrong.

Do you need a licence in ACT?

Not every construction role in the ACT requires a licence. Licensing is regulated by Access Canberra under the Construction Occupations (Licensing) Act 2004.

You need a licence if you’re carrying out or contracting work as a:

• Builder (including owner-builder)
• Electrician
• Plumber, drainer or gasfitter
• Building surveyor (private certifier)
• Gas appliance worker
• Works or building assessor
• Plumbing plan certifier

If you’re supervising other workers, dealing directly with the client, or taking responsibility for how the job is run, a licence may still be required.

A lot of tradies get caught out by thinking it’s only about their trade. In the ACT, what really matters is the level of responsibility you have on the job. 

Also, the ACT Government is considering expanding licensing to more trades, including carpentry, bricklaying, concreting, painting, tiling and others, though this is still in the planning stage.

ACT licence classes explained

ACT Builder Licence

Builder licences in the ACT are split into classes based on the complexity of work you’re allowed to perform:

• Class A (unlimited): complex and high-rise building work
• Class B (medium rise): buildings up to three storeys
• Class C (low rise residential): houses, townhouses, small residential builds
• Class D: limited, non-structural work
• Owner-builder Licence: for building or supervising your own home
• Specialist building work: building demolition, swimming pool installation

Applying for the wrong class is one of the most common reasons builder applications are delayed or knocked back.

ACT Corporation or Partnership Licence

If you operate through a company or partnership and want to contract or sub-contract building work, you’ll need a corporation and partnership licence. This requires a licensed nominee who is responsible for supervising work and ensuring compliance.

As more tradies move into small business ownership to meet ACT housing demand, this structure is becoming increasingly common.

ACT Specialist Trade and Supervisor Licences

The ACT also licenses a range of specialist construction occupations, including:

• Electrical and plumbing trades
• Gas appliance and fitting work
• Building and plumbing assessment roles
• Works assessors and inspectors

There’s more renewable energy work happening in the ACT, and supervisors are now more likely to need a licence.

ACT licensing requirements

Experience

You’ll need to show hands-on experience that matches the licence you’re applying for. This can include:

• Supervising or managing work onsite
• Involvement across different stages of projects
• Referee statements from licensed professionals

Vague or poorly explained experience is one of the biggest reasons applications get held up.

Qualifications

Some licences need formal qualifications. Others are more about proving you can do the work.

Qualifications from other states may be accepted, but in the ACT they usually still need to be checked and approved.

Final thoughts

ACT licensing isn’t impossible, it’s just unclear. With limited government guidance, paperwork-heavy applications and conflicting information floating around, it’s easy to see why tradies get frustrated or put it off.

But as residential construction grows and specialised roles expand across the ACT, holding the correct licence is becoming non-negotiable. Getting it right protects your income, your reputation and your ability to take on better work.

Not sure where you stand or what to do next? Licensing Advice can help. We guide tradies through the ACT licensing process, from checking your experience to preparing and submitting your application.

Not sure if you are eligible? Find out through our 60sec ACT builders licence check and take the first step towards your trade or builder licence in the ACT.