The Complete Checklist for Starting a Trades Business in Australia

There are over 1 million tradies in Australia, and the best of them work for themselves. If you've got the skills and you're ready to stop making money for someone else, this checklist will help you launch your business the right way.

This Guide Covers

Licensing, business setup, insurance, vehicles, tools, quoting, invoicing, and most importantly - how to get more jobs without relying on word-of-mouth alone.

Phase 1: Licenses & Qualifications

Trade Licenses (State-Based)

✓ Contractor license - Required in most states to contract for work over certain values
✓ Trade qualification - Certificate III minimum in your trade
✓ White card - General construction induction (mandatory for any construction work)
✓ Electrical license - State-issued for all electrical work
✓ Plumbing license - State-issued for all plumbing work
✓ Gas fitting license - Additional certification for gas work
✓ Builder's license - Required for residential building work over threshold

State Licensing Bodies

NSW: NSW Fair Trading
VIC: Victorian Building Authority (VBA)
QLD: Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC)
SA: Consumer and Business Services
WA: Building Commission WA

Phase 2: Business Setup

✓ Choose business structure - Sole trader (simple) vs company (liability protection)
✓ Register ABN - Free at abr.gov.au
✓ Register for GST - Required if turnover exceeds $75,000/year
✓ Business name - Register through ASIC if different from your name
✓ Business bank account - Keep personal and business separate
✓ Accounting software - Xero or MYOB for invoicing and BAS
✓ Quote and invoice system - Professional templates, online payments

Phase 3: Insurance (Non-Negotiable)

✓ Public liability - $5-20 million (many sites require minimum $10M)
✓ Professional indemnity - For design/advice work
✓ Tool insurance - Covers theft and damage
✓ Motor vehicle insurance - Commercial use cover for work vehicle
✓ Workers compensation - If employing staff or subcontractors in some states
✓ Income protection - Highly recommended for tradies (injury risk)

Phase 4: Vehicle & Equipment

Work Vehicle

✓ Ute or van - Consider load capacity, fuel efficiency
✓ Vehicle signage - Professional wraps or magnets (free advertising!)
✓ Toolbox setup - Organized storage systems
✓ Tow bar - If towing trailers or equipment

Tools & Equipment

✓ Power tools - Quality brands, cordless where practical
✓ Hand tools - Complete set for your trade
✓ Safety equipment - PPE, first aid kit, fire extinguisher
✓ Test equipment - Trade-specific testing gear
✓ Ladders/scaffolding - Compliant equipment for working at heights

Phase 5: Getting Jobs

The Hard Truth

Word-of-mouth only works when people know you exist. The tradies winning the most work are the ones showing up on Google when customers search "plumber near me" or "emergency electrician [suburb]".

Essential Online Presence

✓ Google Business Profile - #1 way customers find local tradies
✓ Professional website - Services, service areas, contact (see our hosting solutions)
✓ Facebook page - Community engagement, job photos
✓ Review strategy - Ask every happy customer (see our review management)
✓ Messenger automation - Respond to enquiries 24/7, even when you're on a job (see our messenger automation)

Traditional Lead Sources

✓ HiPages - Lead generation platform
✓ Service Seeking - Another lead source
✓ Real estate agent relationships - Maintenance work referrals
✓ Builder relationships - Subcontractor opportunities
✓ Local business networking - BNI or similar groups

Phase 6: Systems & Processes

✓ Quote templates - Professional, detailed, branded
✓ Invoice system - Quick invoicing from phone on site
✓ Job management app - ServiceM8, Fergus, Tradify
✓ Booking system - Let customers book service calls online (see our booking solution)
✓ Payment options - EFTPOS, bank transfer, Afterpay
✓ Terms and conditions - Payment terms, warranties, dispute process

Phase 7: Compliance & Safety

✓ Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) - Required for high-risk work
✓ Risk assessments - Job-specific assessments
✓ Asbestos awareness - Training for working in older buildings
✓ First aid certificate - Recommended for all tradies
✓ Record keeping - Compliance certificates, test results

Get More Jobs Without Chasing Leads

We help tradies across Australia get found on Google, collect more reviews, and answer enquiries while they're on the tools. Your skills deserve to be discovered.

Get a Free Visibility Audit

Estimated Startup Costs

Category	Cost Range (AUD)
Licenses & registrations	$500 - $3,000
Work vehicle	$25,000 - $70,000
Vehicle signage	$500 - $3,000
Tools & equipment	$5,000 - $30,000
Insurance (first year)	$2,000 - $8,000
Marketing & website	$2,000 - $10,000
Working capital (3 months)	$10,000 - $30,000
Total Estimated	$45,000 - $154,000