Fair Trading Minister Virginia Judge today announced lifetime licence numbers for builders and other tradespeople to cut red tape for businesses and improve consumer protection.

“Lifetime licence numbers are now available across 46 trade licence classes including building, plumbing, electrical, carpentry, bricklaying and painting,” Ms Judge said.

“The historical records of licensees are retained and linked to the lifetime licence number.

“This means information on class variations, disciplinary actions, prosecutions, insurance claims, administrative cancellations and Consumer, Trader and Tenancy Tribunal orders is retained.”

“So far 823 lifetime licenses have been issued,” Ms Judge said.

Member for Parramatta Tanya Gadiel confirmed that the statewide introduction follows a Western Sydney trial.

“A trial was held in Parramatta from 1 March – 30 June this year, which has proved so successful it has now been rolled out statewide.

“In the past, when a contractor’s licence expired or was cancelled, the licensee had to apply for a new licence and was issued with a new licence number.

“Traders will now keep their most recent licence number for the term of their lives.

“They will still have to re-apply for their licence, but will no longer have to change licence numbers on stationery and advertising which reduces costs and red tape,” Ms Gadiel said.

Consumers will now be able to check a licensee’s history without the need to check their name and all other associated licence numbers.

NSW Master Builders’ Association Executive Director Brian Seidler welcomed the initiative and said it would save tradespeople time and money as well as support improved compliance in the home building industry.

NSW Housing Industry Association Executive Director David Bare also welcomed the announcement.

“We support any measures that reduce the burden of red tape for our builder and contractor membership,” he said.

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