Yes. A plumbing company operating in Sydney or elsewhere in NSW generally needs its own contractor licence to contract, subcontract or advertise plumbing work. Employing licensed plumbers does not replace the company’s licensing obligations. The people performing or supervising the work must also hold the appropriate individual authorisation.
Company and worker licences
A company or partnership contractor licence permits that legal entity to offer and contract for only the categories of work listed on its licence. It does not automatically authorise employees to perform that work.
The company must have an appropriately licensed nominated supervisor for each relevant category. The nominated supervisor must hold the required individual authority and have an eligible relationship with the business, such as being a director or employee. This appointment does not expand the company’s licensed categories.
Individual authorities have different functions:
- Contractor licence: permits the holder to contract and advertise for the listed work. An individual may perform or supervise that work only if appropriately endorsed.
- Qualified supervisor certificate: permits the holder to perform and supervise the listed work, but not to contract or advertise independently.
- Tradesperson certificate: permits the holder to perform the listed work under the required supervision.
NSW Government guidance states that plumbing and draining work must be performed by appropriately authorised people regardless of the job’s value. Check what NSW plumbing work requires a licensed person rather than assuming the contract value changes the licensing rule. A company licence and a sole trader’s individual licence are not interchangeable.
How to verify a plumbing company
Check the business and relevant individual authorities using the official NSW Government licence register. Confirm that:
- the licence is current
- the legal holder matches the business on the quote or contract
- the business holds a contractor licence, rather than only an individual certificate
- the listed categories cover the proposed plumbing work.
You can also ask who will perform or supervise the work and verify their authority. An ABN, logo or claim that a business is “licensed” is not proof of a plumbing contractor licence. See the NSW Government plumbing licensing guidance for current requirements. For regulated work, also confirm when a plumbing Certificate of Compliance applies.
If your business needs licensed work scoped and documented, contact our commercial plumbing team and verify the contracting entity’s current authorisations before proceeding.