Rules change. This guide reflects our understanding at the time of writing. Check current requirements with NSW Fair Trading, SafeWork NSW and icare before relying on them.
Contractor licences: NSW Fair Trading
NSW Fair Trading licenses people and businesses doing residential building work. As NSW Fair Trading explains it, a contractor licence is generally needed to do, or advertise to do, residential building work valued at more than $5,000 including labour and materials. Roofing on homes is residential building work.
Licences are issued in classes covering different types of work. Ask the contractor what their licence class covers and confirm it matches your job.
How to check: use the NSW Government's online licence check. Confirm the name, licence number, status, class and any conditions.
Written contracts
NSW Fair Trading requires home building contracts above certain values to be in writing and to contain specific information. Before signing, read the contract and check it includes the scope, price, payment stages, start and completion estimates, and how variations are handled.
Deposits
For residential building work in NSW, deposits are generally capped at 10 per cent of the contract price. Check current rules with NSW Fair Trading.
Home building compensation cover
For residential building work over $20,000, the contractor must generally arrange home building compensation cover through the Home Building Compensation Fund, administered by icare, before taking a deposit or starting work.
This cover protects the homeowner if the contractor cannot complete the work or fix defects because of death, disappearance, insolvency or licence suspension. It is not a general warranty. Ask for the certificate.
Asbestos removal licences: SafeWork NSW
SafeWork NSW regulates asbestos removal. As SafeWork NSW explains it:
- removing more than 10 square metres of non-friable asbestos, such as asbestos cement roof sheeting, requires a licensed removalist with a Class A or Class B licence
- friable asbestos requires a Class A licence
There are also requirements around notification, air monitoring and clearance for some jobs. A licensed removalist will explain what applies. See asbestos roof replacement.
Work health and safety
Roofing is high-risk work at heights. NSW work health and safety laws place duties on contractors to manage fall risks, typically with edge protection, scaffold, safety mesh or harness systems. Workers operating some plant may need high-risk work licences. If you see people working on your roof with no fall protection, raise it.
Insurance to ask about
| Insurance | What it covers | Ask for |
|---|---|---|
| Public liability | Damage to your property, injury to others | Certificate of currency |
| Workers compensation | Injuries to the contractor's employees | Policy confirmation |
| Home building compensation | Incomplete or defective work in specific circumstances | Certificate before deposit |
| Contract works | Damage to the works during construction | Ask if held |
Electrical work
Solar panels, roof-mounted air-conditioning and any wiring disturbed during re-roofing need a licensed electrician. The roofer may remove and refit panels, but disconnection and reconnection is electrical work.
Plumbing and stormwater
Gutters, downpipes and stormwater connections are often handled by roofers, but connections to the stormwater system may be plumbing work under NSW rules. Ask who is doing the connection and whether they are appropriately licensed.
Manufacturer warranties and certifications
Product warranties for steel, tiles and accessories come from manufacturers and often depend on correct installation and choosing the right grade for the environment. Some manufacturers run installer accreditation programmes. Ask for the product warranty documents at handover and register them if required.
Heritage and council
Some roofing work needs council approval, for example in heritage conservation areas or where the roof form changes. Approval is the owner's responsibility; check with City of Newcastle or Lake Macquarie City Council.
A short checklist before work starts
- Licence number obtained and checked on the NSW Government licence check, in the same name as the contract.
- Licence class covers roofing work on your type of building.
- Public liability certificate of currency sighted.
- Home building compensation certificate received if the job is over the threshold.
- For asbestos, the removalist's SafeWork NSW licence class confirmed.
- Electrician arranged for any solar or electrical work.
- Written contract signed and deposit within the NSW cap.
How we approach this
We ask the contractors we work with to hold the licences and insurance their work requires. We do not publish their licence numbers. Ask to see the licence and insurance before work starts, and check the licence yourself. See how to choose a roofing contractor in Newcastle.