How to Verify a Contractor Licence in Tasmania
Tasmania's building contractor licensing is administered by Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (CBOS), part of the Department of Justice. Under the Building Act 2016 and the Occupational Licensing Act 2005, building contractors, plumbers, gasfitters, and electricians working in Tasmania must hold the appropriate licence.
Tasmania reformed its building regulatory framework with the Building Act 2016, which replaced the previous Building Act 2000 and introduced a risk-based approach to building approvals and compliance. The Act strengthened the role of building surveyors, introduced new categories of building work based on risk, and updated the licensing requirements for building practitioners. For anyone commissioning building work in Tasmania — from a bathroom renovation in Hobart to a new home in Launceston — verifying your contractor's licence is a critical first step.
Step-by-Step: How to Check a Tasmanian Contractor Licence
Gather the contractor's details
To search the CBOS register, you'll need the contractor's licence number, name, or business name. Licensed building contractors in Tasmania are required to display their licence number on contracts and advertising materials. The licence number gives you the most precise search result.
Search the CBOS licence register
Visit the CBOS Licence Verification page. Select the relevant licence type and enter the contractor's details. The register displays the licence holder's name, licence category, conditions, current status, and expiry date.
Verify via WorkClear for fast, multi-state access
WorkClear's Tasmanian licence search provides access to CBOS data, synchronised daily. Use WorkClear when you need to verify contractors across multiple states from a single platform, or when you require API access for automated, bulk, or real-time verification as part of your business processes.
What to Look for in Tasmanian Licence Results
- Licence status: Must be "Current". A "Suspended", "Cancelled", or "Expired" status means the contractor is not authorised to carry out building work.
- Licence category: Tasmania issues licences in categories including "Building Contractor", "Building Services Provider", "Plumber", "Electrician", and others. Ensure the category matches the work you need.
- Class and scope: Within the building contractor category, licences may be classified based on the type and complexity of work authorised. Review the scope description to confirm it covers your project.
- Conditions: CBOS can impose conditions on licences, such as supervision requirements or restrictions on the type of work permitted.
- Expiry date: Confirm the licence is within its validity period. Tasmanian licences are renewed periodically — typically every 1 to 3 years.
Tasmania's Regulatory Framework
Governing legislation
Building regulation in Tasmania is governed by the Building Act 2016, which establishes the approval, inspection, and compliance framework for building work. Occupational licensing — including the licensing of building contractors, plumbers, gasfitters, and electricians — is governed by the Occupational Licensing Act 2005. Together, these Acts define who must hold a licence, the categories and classes of licence available, the responsibilities of licence holders, and the enforcement mechanisms available to CBOS.
The regulatory body: CBOS
Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (CBOS) is Tasmania's regulatory authority for building and occupational licensing. CBOS processes licence applications, maintains the public register, investigates complaints about building practitioners, and takes compliance and disciplinary action when required. CBOS is part of the Department of Justice and also provides consumer information and dispute resolution services for building-related matters.
Penalties for unlicensed building work
Under the Occupational Licensing Act, carrying out building work without the appropriate licence is an offence with significant penalties. For homeowners who engage unlicensed contractors, the consequences include:
- No access to CBOS complaint resolution for disputes with unlicensed contractors
- Building approval complications — work done by unlicensed persons may not meet permit requirements
- Insurance issues — your home insurance may not cover defective work done by unlicensed contractors
- Resale complications if building work cannot be verified as having been done by a licensed practitioner
Insurance requirements
Tasmania is one of the few Australian jurisdictions that does not require builders to obtain a standalone home warranty insurance or building indemnity insurance policy. However, licensed building contractors must hold adequate public liability insurance and may be required to hold professional indemnity insurance as a condition of their licence. This makes it particularly important to verify not just the licence but also to request current certificates of insurance directly from the contractor.
Important: Because Tasmania lacks a formal home warranty insurance scheme, you have less automatic protection if your builder becomes insolvent mid-project compared to states like NSW or Victoria. This makes licence verification even more critical — a licensed contractor is subject to CBOS oversight, must maintain insurance, and is more likely to be financially viable. Consider also requesting bank guarantees or staged payment arrangements for larger projects.
Common Tasmanian Licence Types
| Licence Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Building Contractor — General | All types of building work including new construction, alterations, and major renovations |
| Building Contractor — Specialist | Specific trade work such as carpentry, tiling, plastering, or bricklaying |
| Building Services Provider | Design, project management, and other building services |
| Plumber | Plumbing, drainage, and sanitary plumbing work |
| Gasfitter | Gas fitting installation and maintenance |
| Electrician | Electrical installation, maintenance, and repair work |
| Building Surveyor | Issue building permits and certificates of completion |
| Demolisher | Demolition of buildings and structures |
Tasmania's licensing system reflects the state's building industry, which ranges from heritage restoration work in Hobart and Launceston to new residential and commercial construction across the state. The distinction between general building contractors (who can manage complete building projects) and specialist contractors (limited to specific trades) is important — ensure the licence type and scope match your project requirements.
Tip: Tasmania's Building Act 2016 introduced a risk-based classification system for building work. "Low risk" work may not require a building permit, "medium risk" requires a permit and inspection, and "high risk" requires comprehensive assessment. Even for low-risk work, using a licensed contractor is strongly recommended for quality assurance and insurance purposes.
Why Verification Matters in Tasmania
Tasmania's building industry has grown significantly in recent years, driven by population growth, tourism-related construction, and residential demand in Hobart and surrounding areas. The introduction of the Building Act 2016 modernised the regulatory framework and placed greater emphasis on risk-based assessment and practitioner accountability.
For consumers in Tasmania, the absence of a home warranty insurance scheme makes licence verification more important than in most other states — your primary protection comes from engaging a licensed, insured contractor subject to CBOS oversight. For businesses managing contractor compliance across Australia, WorkClear's API provides Tasmanian licence verification alongside all other states, ensuring consistent compliance checking regardless of jurisdiction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it free to check a contractor's licence in Tasmania?
Yes. Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (CBOS) provides a free online licence search. WorkClear also offers unlimited web lookups for Tasmanian licences with a free account. API access for automated verification is available through WorkClear's paid plans.
How often is Tasmanian licence data updated?
WorkClear synchronises CBOS licence data daily. Changes to licence statuses, conditions, and expiry dates are typically reflected within 24 hours.
What if a Tasmanian contractor's licence is expired?
A contractor whose licence has expired cannot legally carry out building work in Tasmania. They must renew their licence before entering into new contracts or continuing existing projects. If you discover an expired licence, withhold payments and request proof of renewal before allowing work to continue.
Can I verify Tasmanian licences alongside other states?
Yes. WorkClear provides a unified search across all Australian states and territories. You can verify Tasmanian licences and then immediately check contractors from any other state in the same session.
Does Tasmania require home warranty insurance?
Tasmania does not currently require builders to obtain home warranty insurance (or building indemnity insurance) in the same form as states like NSW, Victoria, or Queensland. However, licensed builders must hold adequate public liability insurance and professional indemnity cover as a condition of their licence. The absence of a formal home warranty scheme makes it even more important to verify your contractor is licensed and appropriately insured.
Verify any Australian contractor licence instantly
Search across TAS and all other states in one place. Unlimited web lookups with a free account, plus API access for teams.