Check your NSW contractor licence status online in under 2 minutes at NSW Fair Trading. Verify your current status, renewal dates, and licence conditions — free and instant.
Verify Your NSW Contractor Licence Status Now — Free
Know exactly where your licence stands in seconds. Online, instant, no cost.
Check Now and Renew Your CPD
Every NSW contractor licence has a status. It is either valid, expired, suspended, or inactive. You need to check it before the renewal deadline — not after. Checking takes 90 seconds on the NSW Fair Trading website. Here is exactly how to do it, what the results mean, and what to do if there is a problem.
If your licence is due to expire soon, or if you have not renewed your CPD in the last year, check your status today. Do not wait for a notice from Fair Trading.
Why Check Your Licence Status Now?
Your licence status tells you whether you can legally operate as a contractor in NSW. If your licence is expired, suspended, or inactive, you cannot take new work. Every project you complete without a valid licence is a breach of the Home Building Act 1989. Fair Trading can issue penalties, cancel your licence, or refer you to prosecution.
Checking takes 90 seconds. Not checking can cost you contracts, money, and your licence.
When to Check Your Licence Status:
- Before taking on a new project (required by law)
- When your licence renewal is due (usually annually or triennial depending on licence type)
- After you have paid a renewal fee (to confirm it has been processed)
- If you receive a notice from NSW Fair Trading
- If you have changed your business details (company name, address, nominee)
- Every 6 months as routine compliance check
Step-by-Step: How to Check Your NSW Contractor Licence Online
NSW Fair Trading has a free online lookup tool. You search by licence number or business name. Here is the exact process.
Step 1: Go to NSW Fair Trading
Open your browser and go to www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au
Look for the section titled “Check a Contractor Licence” or “Check a Builder Licence”.
Step 2: Enter Your Licence Number (or Business Name)
You can search two ways:
- By Licence Number: This is faster and more accurate. Your licence number is on your physical licence card, renewal notice, or old correspondence from Fair Trading.
- By Business Name: Use your registered business name exactly as it appears with Fair Trading.
If you do not have your licence number, your renewal notice or certificate has it. If you lost that, call Fair Trading on 13 32 20.
Step 3: Review Your Results
The search shows your:
- Current licence status (Active, Expired, Suspended, Inactive, etc.)
- Licence number
- Licence category (Residential Builder, Swimming Pool/Spa Builder, etc.)
- Expiry date
- Whether there are any conditions or restrictions on your licence
Take a screenshot or note the expiry date for your records.
Your Licence Is Valid — Now What?
If your licence status is Active and your CPD is current, you are good to keep working. If your CPD is overdue or approaching expiration, complete your 12 CPD points now.
Complete Your 12 CPD Points — From $169
What Each Licence Status Means
Fair Trading shows one of several status codes. Each one has a different meaning and action required.
| Status | Meaning | Action Required |
|---|---|---|
| Active | Your licence is current and valid. You can legally operate as a contractor. | Ensure your CPD is up to date. Check again 6 months before expiry. |
| Expired | Your licence renewal date has passed. You cannot legally take new work. | Contact Fair Trading immediately. You must renew your licence before taking any new projects. |
| Suspended | Fair Trading has temporarily paused your licence due to non-compliance, unpaid fees, or failure to complete CPD. | Contact Fair Trading to find out why. Address the issue (pay fees, complete CPD, etc.) and request reinstatement. |
| Inactive | You have not renewed your licence or have voluntarily requested deactivation. | If you want to work as a contractor again, you must reactivate your licence with Fair Trading. |
| Cancelled | Your licence has been permanently cancelled by Fair Trading or you. | You cannot work as a contractor in NSW. To regain a licence, you must reapply from scratch (this takes weeks and costs money). |
What to Do If Your Licence Has Expired
If Fair Trading shows your licence as expired, do not take on any new work. You are in breach of the Home Building Act 1989 if you do.
If Your Licence Expired Recently (within 30 days):
- Contact NSW Fair Trading immediately: 13 32 20 or [email protected]
- Ask if you can renew immediately (often you can do this over the phone)
- Pay the renewal fee (usually $300–$400, depending on licence type)
- If you have not completed your CPD, submit your points or enrol in courses immediately
- Check your licence status online within 24 hours to confirm renewal has been processed
If Your Licence Expired More Than 30 Days Ago:
- You may need to apply for reinstatement, not just renewal
- This involves a formal application to Fair Trading and may take 2–4 weeks
- You will need to prove your CPD is current and comply with any conditions Fair Trading sets
- Contact Fair Trading: 1300 656 405 (NSW licence support line)
Until your licence is renewed or reinstated, you cannot legally take on new building work. Do not start any new projects, quote for work, or sign contracts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I find my contractor licence number?
Your licence number is printed on your physical licence card, which you should have received from Fair Trading. It is also on any renewal notice you have received. If you cannot find it, your renewal invitation letter or any official Fair Trading correspondence will have it. If you have lost all records, call Fair Trading on 13 32 20 and they can look it up by your name and business.
Why would my licence status show as suspended or inactive?
Suspension usually happens because you have not completed your CPD by the deadline, unpaid your renewal fee, failed to respond to a Fair Trading notice, or changed your licence details without notifying them. Inactive usually means you have not renewed at all, or you have voluntarily deactivated your licence. Contact Fair Trading to find the exact reason and what you need to do to fix it.
Can I check someone else’s licence?
Yes. The NSW Fair Trading licence lookup tool is public. Anyone can search for any contractor licence to verify it is valid. This is intentional — it allows your clients and subcontractors to check that you are properly licensed before hiring you.
How often should I check my licence status?
Check at least once every 6 months, especially if your renewal is approaching. Always check before taking on a new project (it is a legal requirement). Also check after you have submitted a renewal fee to make sure it has been processed.
What if Fair Trading’s website won’t load or I cannot find the lookup tool?
Fair Trading’s website can experience outages. If the lookup tool is not accessible, call them on 13 32 20 during business hours (Monday to Friday, 8:30am–5pm NSW time). They can check your licence status over the phone immediately.
Does checking my licence status online cost anything?
No. Checking your licence status on Fair Trading’s website is completely free. Anyone can do it anytime, 24/7. There is no fee or charge.
How long after I renew does my licence status update online?
Usually within 24 hours. Sometimes the same day. Fair Trading processes renewals in batches, so it may take up to 48 hours for your new status to show in their public lookup tool. If it has been 2 business days and your status has not updated, call them on 13 32 20 to confirm your renewal was recorded.
What is a “condition” on my licence and do I need to do anything about it?
A condition is a restriction on your licence — for example, “must complete 12 CPD points by [date]” or “must carry professional indemnity insurance”. The lookup result will show any conditions. You MUST comply with every condition listed. If a CPD condition is listed and you have not yet completed it, do so immediately. If you are unsure what a condition means, contact Fair Trading or your licensing consultant.
Check Your Licence Status Now — Then Secure Your CPD
NSW Fair Trading’s licence lookup is free and instant. Verify your status right now — it takes 90 seconds. If your CPD is due or approaching, complete your 12 points online from $169.
Call 1300 730 752 or register online to finish your CPD today.