How to Choose the Right Tradesperson in Australia

Hiring the wrong tradesperson can cost you thousands in shoddy work, delays, and remediation. Hiring the right one gets the job done properly, on time, and often for less than you expected. This guide walks you through everything you need to know about finding, vetting, and working with tradespeople in Australia.

Step 1: Know What You Need

Before you start calling around, be clear about what the job involves. The more specific you can be, the more accurate your quotes will be.

Describe the problem or desired outcome, not the solution you think you need. “My power point sparks when I plug things in” is better than “I need rewiring.”
Take photos of the area, the problem, and any access restrictions. Send these with your quote request.
Measure the area if it’s a surface job (painting, tiling, fencing). Trades quote by the square metre or linear metre.
Note access issues: steep driveways, narrow side gates, upper-storey work, or asbestos concerns.

Step 2: Find Candidates

Word of mouth

Still the best method. Ask neighbours, friends, and family who they’ve used recently. A recommendation from someone who’s had work done in the last 6–12 months is gold — it means the tradesperson is currently active and their work has been tested.

Online platforms

Sites like hipages, Oneflare, ServiceSeeking, and Airtasker connect you with tradespeople. The advantage is convenience and reviews; the downside is that some platforms charge tradespeople per lead, which can inflate quotes by 10–20%.

Industry associations

Most trades have industry bodies (Master Plumbers, Master Electricians, Housing Industry Association) that maintain directories of accredited members. These businesses have agreed to codes of conduct and complaints processes.

Step 3: Check Licensing

This is non-negotiable. In Australia, most trades require a licence. Using an unlicensed tradesperson can void your insurance, leave you liable for faulty work, and is illegal for certain trades.

How to verify

State	Where to Check
NSW	NSW Fair Trading licence check
Victoria	Victorian Building Authority register
Queensland	QBCC licence search
SA	Consumer & Business Services licence check
WA	Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety
Tasmania	Consumer, Building & Occupational Services

Always check the licence before accepting a quote. Ask for the licence number upfront — reputable tradespeople will offer it without hesitation.

Trades that MUST be licensed

Electricians — all states
Plumbers — all states
Builders (work over $5,000–$10,000 depending on state)
Gas fitters — all states
Air conditioning installers (refrigerant handling licence)
Roofers — in most states for structural work
Waterproofers — in most states

Step 4: Get & Compare Quotes

How many quotes?

Get at least 3 quotes for any job over $1,000. For large projects ($10,000+), get 4–5. This gives you a realistic price range and helps identify outliers.

What a good quote includes

Itemised breakdown of labour and materials
Start date and estimated completion date
Payment terms (never pay 100% upfront)
What’s included and excluded (e.g., waste removal, permits, painting)
The tradesperson’s licence number and insurance details
A validity period (typically 30 days)

Red flags in quotes

Cash-only, no receipt: You have no consumer protection
No written quote: Verbal quotes are unenforceable
50%+ deposit demanded: Standard deposits are 10–20% for large jobs
Significantly cheaper than others: They may be unlicensed, uninsured, or plan to cut corners
Pressure to sign immediately: “This price is only valid today” is a sales tactic, not standard practice

Step 5: Check Insurance

Your tradesperson should carry:

Public liability insurance ($5–$20 million): Covers damage to your property or injury during the work
Workers’ compensation: Required if they have employees
Home warranty insurance: Required for residential building work over certain thresholds (varies by state, typically $12,000–$20,000)

Ask for a Certificate of Currency — a one-page document from their insurer confirming active coverage. If they can’t provide one, walk away.

Step 6: Manage the Project

Written contract

For any job over $1,000, get a written contract. Most states require a written contract for work over a certain threshold (typically $5,000). The contract should include the full scope, price, timeline, payment schedule, and dispute resolution process.

Payment schedule

A standard payment structure for larger jobs is:

10–20% deposit on signing
Progress payments at agreed milestones
Final payment on completion and your sign-off

Never pay the full amount before the work is finished. The final payment is your leverage to ensure the job is completed to standard.

Communication

Good tradespeople keep you informed. Agree upfront on how you’ll communicate (phone, text, email) and how often. For multi-week projects, a weekly update is reasonable.

What To Do When Things Go Wrong

Talk to the tradesperson first

Most issues can be resolved directly. Point out the problem clearly, give them a reasonable timeframe to fix it, and document everything in writing (email is fine).

Formal complaint

If direct resolution fails:

Write a formal letter of complaint with photos and your written contract
Contact your state’s consumer affairs body (e.g., NSW Fair Trading, Consumer Affairs Victoria)
Lodge a complaint with the relevant licensing body
Consider mediation through your state’s dispute resolution service

VCAT / tribunal

As a last resort, you can take the matter to your state’s civil and administrative tribunal (VCAT in Victoria, NCAT in NSW, QCAT in Queensland). Claims under $10,000–$25,000 are handled through a simplified small claims process.

Tips for Working With Specific Trades

Electricians

Electricians charge $80–$130/hr. Bundle small jobs into one visit to minimise call-out fees. Always ask for a Certificate of Compliance (or Certificate of Electrical Safety) for any work completed — it’s a legal requirement.

Plumbers

Plumbers charge $80–$200/hr. Emergency call-outs (burst pipes, blocked drains) attract premium rates. For planned work, book 1–2 weeks ahead for the best rates.

Painters

Painters typically quote per room or per m² rather than hourly. Always discuss preparation work (sanding, filling, priming) — this is where quality differs and where some painters cut corners.

Pest Control

Pest control operators should hold a licence in your state. Get a detailed report of what pests were found and what treatment was applied. For termite inspections, always use a separate inspector (not the treatment company) for an unbiased assessment.

Cleaners

Professional cleaners vary wildly in quality. For end-of-lease cleans, use a company that offers a bond-back guarantee. For regular cleaning, trial 2–3 cleaners before committing to one.

Solar Installers

Solar installations must be done by CEC-accredited installers. Verify accreditation on the Clean Energy Council website. Beware of door-to-door sales — the best solar companies don’t need to cold-call.

Your Consumer Rights

Under Australian Consumer Law, all trade services come with automatic consumer guarantees:

Services must be provided with due care and skill
Services must be fit for the purpose you made known
Services must be provided within a reasonable time
Materials must be of acceptable quality

These rights cannot be excluded by contract. If work is defective, you’re entitled to a remedy regardless of what the contract says.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much deposit should I pay?

10–20% is standard for jobs over $5,000. Some states cap the maximum deposit (e.g., 10% in Victoria for contracts over $20,000). Never pay more than 50% before work is substantially completed.

Should I choose the cheapest quote?

No. The cheapest quote is often cheap for a reason — unlicensed workers, cheap materials, or excluded items. Choose the quote that offers the best value: reasonable price, thorough scope, proper licensing, and good communication.

What if the tradesperson doesn’t show up?

Unfortunately, no-shows are common in the trades. Get a confirmed start date in writing. If they miss it without notice, follow up once, then move to your next-best quote. Don’t chase unreliable tradespeople — it doesn’t get better once work starts.

Can I do some of the work myself to save money?

Yes, for non-regulated work: demolition, painting, cleaning up, landscaping. But never do your own electrical, plumbing, gas, or structural work. It’s illegal, dangerous, and will void your insurance.

Cost Guides by Trade

For detailed pricing on specific trades, check our cost guides:

Related Cost Guides

Compare more live service pricing before you hire: electrician costs, plumbing costs, solar installation costs, cleaning costs, and skip bin hire costs.

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