Yes. The City and Environment Directorate’s licensee responsibilities guidance says that, under section 47 of the Construction Occupations (Licensing) Act 2004, a construction occupations licensee working for a client must show the client their insurance—even if the client has not asked. The Directorate also requires licencees to notify the Construction Occupations Registrar within 2 weeks of relevant licence-detail changes. Figures checked 1 October 2026.
What exactly must the licensee show?
The section 47 duty is triggered when a construction occupations licensee works for a client. It is not conditional on the client requesting proof of insurance.
The Directorate’s guidance does not specify one certificate, format or moment that must be used to show the insurance, so it does not provide enough detail to say that a particular document or delivery method is mandatory in every situation. Ask the licensee what insurance evidence they can show, then read the relevant policy’s Product Disclosure Statement, or PDS, for the terms that apply.
The licensing framework covers builders, owner-builders, electricians, plumbers, drainers, gasfitters and several other construction professions. Each licensee should check their own obligations against the current regulator guidance.
The 2-week deadline discussed below concerns changes to licence details. The Directorate’s guidance does not identify it as the deadline for initially showing insurance to a client.
How can a client check the licence and insurance separately?
The Directorate says prospective clients can use its construction professionals list to check whether a licence is current. The check can also reveal any endorsements, conditions or restrictions attached to the licence.
That is a licence-status check rather than an insurance check. A client should separately ask what evidence of insurance the licensee can provide and review the relevant PDS. A current construction licence does not, by itself, establish what insurance the licensee holds for the proposed work.
What must appear in construction-service advertising?
A licensed corporation, partnership or individual advertising its service must include the following information:
| Licensee type | Required advertising details |
|---|---|
| Corporation | Name recorded on the licence, licence number and ACN |
| Partnership | Name recorded on the licence and licence number |
| Individual | Name recorded on the licence and licence number |
The Directorate gives examples of advertising under section 83 of the Construction Occupations (Licensing) Act 2004, including:
- letters and business cards;
- sample contracts and brochures;
- signage, including signage on vehicles;
- radio and print advertising; and
- clothing bearing the construction licensee’s name.
These examples are not exhaustive.
Which licence-detail changes must be notified?
A licensee must notify the Construction Occupations Registrar, via the Construction and Work Place Licensing team, within 2 weeks of any change to their licence details.
| Change | Notification requirement |
|---|---|
| Any licence-detail change | Notify the Construction Occupations Registrar within 2 weeks of the change |
| Examples of licence details | Includes, but is not limited to, the licensee’s name, business address and contact details |
| Corporation licence | Also notify the City and Environment Directorate of a change of directors or change in the contact person |
If it is unclear whether a particular change affects the licence details, ask the Construction and Work Place Licensing team before the 2-week period passes.
How is the notification made?
The Directorate says the required licence-detail notification can be made by completing the Update licence or registration details form.
The Construction and Work Place Licensing team lists the following contact details:
| Contact method | Details |
|---|---|
| Phone | 02 6207 8096 |
| cwpl@act.gov.au |
Check the regulator page for the latest instructions and contact details before submitting a notification.
This is general information, not legal or financial advice. Check the current City and Environment Directorate page and the relevant policy’s PDS before relying on the requirements described here.
Sources
FAQ
Does the client have to ask before the licensee shows insurance?
No. Under section 47, the licensee must show their insurance when working for a client even if the client has not asked for it.
Is checking the construction licence enough to confirm insurance?
No. The construction professionals list checks licence status, endorsements, conditions and restrictions. Insurance should be checked separately by asking what evidence the licensee can provide and reviewing the relevant PDS.
What must a licensed corporation include in its advertising?
It must include its name as recorded on the licence, its licence number and its ACN.
How quickly must a change of business address be notified?
A change to licence details, including a business address, must be notified to the Construction Occupations Registrar through the Construction and Work Place Licensing team within 2 weeks of the change.
Who receives ordinary licence-detail change notifications?
The Construction Occupations Registrar receives the notification through the Construction and Work Place Licensing team. The listed contact details are 02 6207 8096 and cwpl@act.gov.au.
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