Why check this Register?
This Register contains information about Professional Engineers, Building Practitioners, Design Practitioners and Principal Design Practitioners who are registered under the Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020 (Act). Before engaging a practitioner to do work it is important to check that they have a current registration for the work you want done.
What does the Register tell me?
The Register will tell you about current, expired and cancelled registrations under the name or registration number being searched. A registration may be issued to an individual or a body corporate. A registration search will provide you with the following information where relevant:
- the person’s name
- the address of the person’s place of business
- the registration number of the person
- the class and current status of the person’s registration
- date on which the person was first registered
- date on which the current registration is due to expire
- details of conditions imposed on registration (other than conditions that are on all registrations)
- date on which person’s registration has been suspended (if any)
- date on which person’s registration was cancelled or otherwise ceased to have effect
- details of grounds for taking disciplinary action against the person and details of the action taken
- details of any offence against the Act or Regulation for which the person has been convicted or had a penalty notice paid
- details of undertakings made under the Act by the person
- details of warning notices published under the Act warning about particular risks involved in dealing with the person
This Register does not provide details as to whether there have been any consumer complaints or if a registered practitioner if currently under investigation. You can also check the Complaints Register if you would like to check if a particular registered practitioner is listed. Information about the Complaints Register is included below under ‘What other information does Fair Trading hold about the builder or tradesperson?’.
The Register does not link all licences or registrations a person may have been involved in and Fair Trading is currently working to improve this. In the meantime, please use the Search Tips below to help identify all licences or registrations a person may be involved in.
The Register does not link all licences a person may have been involved in and Fair Trading is currently working to improve this. In the meantime, please use the Searching Tips below to help identify all licences a person may be involved in
Search Tips
To make best use of this Register, you should search for licence records under all names available to you including the individual’s name and the partnership or company name where relevant. Below are some examples:
- Search for the person’s name and carefully check for multiple entries. Other details such as the registration category, address, and year of birth can be used to verify possible matches.
- When you are checking a company or partnership licence, also carry out separate searches for relevant licences held by company directors, partners and nominated supervisors.
- When you are checking a body corporate registration, also carry out separate searches for relevant licences or registrations held by the body corporate’s directors.
- Carefully review the ‘compliance’ section to see if any disciplinary action or other compliance information is noted.
- As registered practitioners are authorised to undertake particular categories of work, make sure the holder is authorised for the type of work you want done. A list of all categories is available on the Fair Trading website.
- Check the start and end dates on the registration to make sure it is current.
What other information does Fair Trading hold about the registered practioner?
Fair Trading holds information about any compliance and disciplinary action that has been taken against a a registered practitioner. Information relating to some actions, such as education or warning letters, is not published on the Register.
Where can I find other helpful information?
Fair Trading recommends you consider the following checks:
- Check the NSW Fair Trading website for public warnings. This page lists whether Fair Trading has issued a public warning about a person that may be relevant to your decision to engage them; or
- NSW’s Complaints Register: Complaints register | Fair Trading NSW. The NSW Fair Trading complaints register lists businesses that have had 10 or more complaints against them in one calendar month. If you have any particular concerns about a registered practitioner, you can contact Fair Trading on 13 32 20 and Fair Trading can provide you with assistance.
- Home Building Compensation (HBC) Check. HBC Check, provided by the State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA), allows users to check if there is valid HBC cover a property. HBC cover is required for residential building work over $20,000. Using this tool you can search by HBC certificate number or address to verify if a HBC certificate was issued for a particular property. You can also search for certificates issued by a particular builder, to identify or verify work the builder has done.
- Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). The ASIC websites allows users to search for Australian company details, documents lodged, and persons banned or disqualified from operating a company.
- NSW Caselaw. The NSW Caselaw website allows users to search for published decisions of NSW courts and Tribunals. Please note that many decisions and orders are not published. Not all decisions are written and orders of the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal are not published if they are agreed.
- Austlii. The Austlii website allows users to search for published decisions of NSW and interstate courts and Tribunals. Please note that many decisions and orders are not published. Not all decisions are written and orders of the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal are not published if they are agreed.
- Australian Financial Security Authority (AFSA). The Bankruptcy Register Search on the AFSA website allows users to access personal insolvency information about individuals.
- Conduct web searches on the registered practitioner. This can help you find information such as reviews to assist you in making a decision about whether or not to engage that person.
Need help?
For more information or assistance, please contact Fair Trading on 13 32 20.