TL;DR
- In NSW, a plasterer doing residential work worth more than $5,000 (labour and materials, including GST) needs a current NSW Fair Trading licence for that type of work.
- You can check a licence online in about two minutes.
- Ask for a certificate of currency for public liability insurance.
- For residential jobs over $20,000, the contractor must also arrange Home Building Compensation Fund cover before starting work or taking a deposit.
- Get a written quote showing the ABN and licence number, and keep your licence check and insurance certificates with your contract.
Before a plasterer touches your walls, check three things: a current NSW licence for the work, proof of insurance, and a written quote that shows both. It takes about five minutes, and it can save you thousands. Here is what NSW expects of plastering contractors and how to check it.
Do Plasterers Need a Licence in NSW?
In NSW, residential building work worth more than $5,000 (labour and materials combined) must be done by a licensed contractor. Plastering and wall and ceiling lining fall under that system, and the licence is issued by NSW Fair Trading. Smaller patch repairs often come in under the threshold, but a current licence is still the quickest way to see that someone is a professional.
The licence also has to match the work. Plastering and gyprock is one thing, painting is another. If you are hiring one team to plaster and paint, ask to see both.
How to Check a Plasterer’s Licence in Two Minutes
You don’t need to take anyone’s word for it. NSW has a free online licence check through Service NSW.
- Ask for the licence number (it should be on the quote, the contract and the vehicle or business card).
- Search the number on the Service NSW licence check.
- Confirm the name matches the business or person you’re dealing with.
- Confirm the licence class covers plastering or wall and ceiling lining.
- Check the expiry date and any conditions or disciplinary notes.
- Screenshot the result and keep it with your quote.
Tip: If someone is reluctant to give a licence number, treat that as your answer.
At Sydney Wide Plastering we are licensed in gyprock plastering, painting and decorating, and our licence number is on every quote.
Insurance: What a Plasterer Should Carry
Insurance is where good contractors and risky ones separate fastest. Ask for a certificate of currency, not just a verbal “yes, we’re covered.”
- Public liability insurance. Covers damage to your property or injury to a third party caused by the work. Strata managers and commercial clients almost always require it.
- Workers compensation. Required in NSW for businesses that employ workers. If a plasterer has staff on your site, ask about it.
- Home Building Compensation Fund (HBCF) cover. For residential building work above the value set by NSW (currently $20,000), the licensed contractor must arrange this cover before starting work or taking a deposit. Most standalone plastering jobs sit below it, but a large renovation or new build may not.
Sydney Wide Plastering is fully insured, and certificates are available on request before any job begins.
Quotes, Contracts and Deposits
A good plastering quote is clear about what you’re getting. It should show:
- the business name, ABN and licence number
- the rooms and surfaces included (and anything excluded)
- the finish expected, such as patch and repaint-ready, or skim coat
- the price, how it’s calculated, and when payment is due
- an estimated start and finish
For residential work over the NSW threshold, a written contract is required, and there are limits on the deposit a contractor can ask for. Keep the signed contract with your licence check and insurance certificates.
Small jobs are different. Many can be quoted over the phone or from photos, and that’s fine as long as the final price and scope are confirmed in writing.
Warranties and What Happens if Something Goes Wrong
Residential building work in NSW comes with statutory warranties. In general these cover defects and the use of proper materials and workmanship, with longer protection for major defects. Check the current periods on the NSW Fair Trading website.
If you’re unhappy with plastering work, the first step is simple: contact the contractor, put the problem in writing with photos, and give them a chance to fix it. If it isn’t resolved, NSW Fair Trading offers a complaint process. Sydney Wide Plastering prefers to be called back to put it right, because getting it right the first time is the whole point.
Strata and Commercial Jobs
If you manage an owners corporation or you’re a builder bringing a plasterer in Sydney onto site, expect to supply or request:
- licence details and a certificate of currency
- a safe work method statement (SWMS) for the task
- site induction and access arrangements
- confirmation that work won’t affect fire ratings or acoustic requirements
It’s much easier to line these up before the job is booked than on the day.
Six Questions to Ask Any Plasterer Before You Book
- What’s your NSW licence number, and which class does it cover?
- Can I see your certificate of currency for public liability insurance?
- Will you give me a written quote with your ABN and licence number on it?
- Who will actually be on site, and are they your employees?
- What’s the finish at handover, and what do I need to do before painting?
- What happens if something needs fixing after you’ve left?
A professional will answer all six without hesitation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a licensed plasterer for a small patch repair?
Small repairs can fall under the licensing threshold, but a licensed, insured plasterer is still the safest choice. Poor patching often shows up once the wall is painted.
Is a painter allowed to do my plastering?
Only if their licence covers it. Ask to see the class on the licence.
What does a plasterer’s insurance cover?
Public liability covers damage or injury caused by the work. It doesn’t replace the statutory warranties on larger residential jobs.
Can I check a licence on my phone?
Yes. The Service NSW licence check works on any device and takes a minute.
About Sydney Wide Plastering
Sydney Wide Plastering is a team of complete interior specialists based in North Manly, servicing Sydney’s Northern Beaches, Eastern Suburbs, Inner West and beyond. We’re licensed in gyprock plastering, painting and decorating, fully insured, and members of the Master Builders Association and AWCI (Wall & Ceiling Industries). In the trade since 1993, we handle everything from small patch repairs and cornices to curved walls, bulkheads, suspended ceilings and commercial fit-outs. Small jobs are often quoted over the phone.
Industry Memberships
Want to see our licence and insurance certificates before you book? Just ask when you call 0405 847 224 for a free quote, 7am to 8pm, seven days, or contact us online.