Customers and businesses across NSW can have confidence their tradies are appropriately licenced for the job with an enhanced public register under trial and the Service NSW Business Profile making it easier than ever to check a credential.
Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said the updated public register website would allow customers to search licence records or business registrations and help ensure they hire an appropriately qualified tradesperson.
“Whether you’re hiring a plumber or a builder, the NSW Government is improving transparency and the way customers can get the information they need to make informed decisions,” Mr Dominello said.
“Supporting the digital licences we have put in the ServiceNSW app such as the Digital Contractor Licence and the Digital White Card which customers can scan the QR code to verify, the enhanced public register makes it quick and easy for customers to check their tradie’s records.
“It also includes a timeline capturing licence history and allows customers to view licence activity for approvals and compliance items, such as whether the licence was previously cancelled or suspended.”
The enhanced public register includes other trade related licences such as white cards and high risk work licences, which were previously not on the same one-stop public register.
Customers across NSW can also use the enhanced public register to check for owner builder permits, conveyancer licences, registered surveyors, security licences, vessel registrations, traffic control work cards, asbestos demolition providers and charitable fundraising organisations, with more licences to be added in coming months.
Tradespersons who run a business can use their Service NSW Business Profile to check and manage their licences and those of their employees and sub-contractors to easily stay on top of compliance obligations.
Minister for Fair Trading Eleni Petinos said more than 5,600 homebuilding complaints were received in 2021 by NSW Fair Trading, with more than 600 of those related to unlicenced tradies.
“It is important consumers and businesses across NSW protect themselves and their investments by making sure they hire the right people for the job,” Ms Petinos said.
“We are committed to providing awareness and working with businesses to streamline compliance and make it accessible and convenient.”
“The enhanced public register allows business owners to easily manage essential compliance checks and spend more time focused on running and growing their business.”
Funded by the Digital Restart Fund, the enhanced public register forms part of the Licensing Program which is working to digitise more than 40 licence categories with the aim of improving customer service, providing convenience and making compliance with legislation easier.
The enhanced public register is available at verify.licence.nsw.gov.au/home while the existing public register is still available at www.onegov.nsw.gov.au/publicregister
For more information on the Service NSW Business Profile, please visit www.service.nsw.gov.au/business/business-profile or call 13 77 88.
