Starting a trade business in Western Australia
Licensing is the part that differs state to state, and WA has its own quirks. Pick your trade for the licence you actually need, what it costs, and how long the wait is.
Electrical and plumbing licences are decided by their own statutory boards (the Electrical Licensing Board and the Plumbers Licensing Board), both run by Building and Energy. Gas sits with the Director of Energy Safety. If you find an old commerce.wa.gov.au or demirs.wa.gov.au link, it now redirects to wa.gov.au: the department has been renamed.
Who licenses you in WA
Building and Energy
https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/building-and-energy · 1300 489 099
Pick your trade
Electrician
Electrical contractor's licence
What you need →Plumber
Plumbing contractor's licence (PL00)
What you need →Gas fitter
There isn't one, and that surprises people
What you need →Builder
Building contractor registration (individual, Form 13)
What you need →Roofer
No roofing licence exists in WA, but that is not the same as needing nothing
What you need →Air conditioning and refrigeration
Usually none, which is the opposite of what most people assume
What you need →Solar installer
Electrical contractor's licence
What you need →Not your trade, or not your state?
The national side covers everything that is the same wherever you are: ABN, GST, insurance, records and workers comp. For licensing anywhere else, your own state’s regulator is the place to start.
When you are ready to take the first job
Once the licence is sorted, you need to look like you have been doing this for years: a website people can book from, and quotes and invoices with your logo that go out the same day you finish. That part is us.
We are not accountants, lawyers or insurance brokers, and none of this is advice. It is what the regulators and the ATO publish, gathered in one place with links to the source, so you know what to go and ask about. Rules and fees change, so check with the authority before you act on anything here. Government fees shown are for the 2026-27 year and are indexed every 1 July.