In NSW, match the credential to the role: investigate an individual contractor licence when an individual contracts for work, a company or partnership contractor licence when the entity contracts, and a qualified supervisor certificate for supervision; check the endorsed contractor licence route when contracting and supervision are combined. The NSW Government’s Structural landscaping work page, dated 23 June 2026 says a contractor licence is required to carry out, advertise or contract for building or trade work valued at more than $5,000 in labour and materials, including GST, and applicants can choose a 1, 3 or 5 year licence or certificate. The same guidance requires every individual applicant to submit a National Police Check no older than 4 months from application (figures checked 1 October 2026).
Which licence type matches the role I perform?
Start with what you will actually do in the job—not simply your trade title.
| Role in the structural landscaping job | Licence or certificate to investigate |
|---|---|
| Contracting for the work as an individual | Individual contractor licence |
| Contracting through a company or partnership | Company or partnership contractor licence |
| Supervising structural landscaping work in the relevant category | Qualified supervisor certificate |
| Combining contracting and supervision | Endorsed contractor licence, where this route fits the proposed structure |
| Carrying out the work | Establish whether you are also contracting or supervising. The NSW Government does not list a separate “work-only” type among these three options. |
Before applying, identify:
- who will contract for the work;
- who will physically carry it out;
- who will supervise it; and
- whether any specialist work will be subcontracted.
If one person or business fills several roles, do not assume that a certificate covering supervision automatically covers contracting or every specialist category. Ask Building Commission NSW to confirm which licence or endorsement fits the intended arrangement.
What work counts as structural landscaping?
Structural landscaping is in the other building category. The NSW Government describes it as work involving external landscape features and non-habitable structures—structures in which people cannot live.
Examples listed by the regulator include:
- retaining walls of any material that do not form part of a habitable building;
- fencing, driveways, paths and other paving;
- cabanas, pergolas, decks and non-habitable shelters;
- ornamental ponds, water features and other structural ornamentation requiring development approval; and
- work on concrete tennis courts and similar structures.
The formal definition appears in Schedule 4 of the Home Building Regulation 2014. Check that schedule and the current regulator page if the proposed work sits near the boundary between landscaping, general building work or work requiring development approval.
Does the job value change the licensing answer?
Yes. The value rule is part of the licensing test, but it is not a blanket exemption from the separate requirement to hold a licence or certificate for structural landscaping work.
| Issue | NSW position |
|---|---|
| Structural landscaping work | A licence or certificate is required to do the work. |
| Work valued at more than $5,000 in labour and materials, including GST | A contractor licence is required to carry out, advertise or contract for the building or trade work. |
| Work carried out under a contract for residential building work | A licence is required. |
| Specialist work within an overall contract valued at more than $5,000 | The contractor-licence requirement also applies to the subcontractor. |
The trigger quoted by the regulator is more than $5,000, not $5,000 or more. If a job sits exactly at that figure, check the current regulator guidance rather than treating the threshold as settled.
Unlicensed work can also lead to a fine under the Home Building Act 1989:
| Person or entity | Fine stated by the NSW Government |
|---|---|
| Individual | $22,000 |
| Company | $110,000 |
These are the penalties stated on the regulator page, not a substitute for checking whether a particular activity is licensed or whether a particular exemption applies.
Who should carry out and supervise specialist work?
A structural landscaping contract may include any specialist work needed for the overall job. The NSW Government’s General building work guidance, dated 3 September 2026 explains the arrangement:
- If the builder does not hold the required specialist-work category, that work must be subcontracted to a contractor licence holder in the relevant category.
- The work must be appropriately supervised by someone holding an endorsed contractor licence or qualified supervisor certificate in that category.
- The principal builder should therefore check both the specialist contractor’s category and the supervisor’s category before work starts.
That distinction matters when a person holds a qualified supervisor certificate but does not personally hold the relevant specialist contractor licence.
What is needed before applying?
The application checklist follows the regulator’s role, qualification and identity-check requirements.
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Confirm the licence category and role. Decide whether the applicant will contract as an individual, contract through a company or partnership, supervise, or combine roles.
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Complete an accepted qualification. The required qualifications and experience must be held before applying, and a licence or certificate requires completion of one of the qualifications listed for the category. Check the current regulator page for the accepted course list.
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Check training availability. Some listed qualifications or units may no longer be available. Before starting training or recognition of prior learning, confirm availability with a registered training organisation and check the National Training Register. The Your Career website can be searched by course code or name.
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Arrange the National Police Check. Every individual applicant must submit a National Police Check no older than 4 months from the application. An applicant for an individual licence or certificate must also have a valid certificate.
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Start the application through Service NSW. A licence or certificate application can be started there, with 1, 3 or 5 year terms available.
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Check apprentice or trainee status. A current apprentice or trainee cannot be issued with the licence or certificate. After completing the apprenticeship or traineeship, a person intending to carry out or contract for the work must apply for a contractor licence.
Structural landscaping is included in the NSW Automatic Mutual Recognition scheme, but applicants should still confirm the category and endorsement requirements with the regulator.
Providing false or misleading information is a serious offence. A licence or certificate obtained on that basis may be cancelled, and criminal prosecution may follow.
What happens at renewal?
Existing licence and certificate holders can renew using the details on their renewal form or through Service NSW.
The broader general building guidance states that an individual holding a building or swimming pool building licence or certificate must complete continuing professional development each year as a condition of renewal. The holder must:
- keep a diary record of CPD participation;
- retain documentary proof where possible; and
- be able to demonstrate compliance if asked.
The records do not have to be sent to Fair Trading, but the licence holder must be able to prove compliance or face the possibility of losing the licence. Check the current regulator guidance for the applicable CPD program and how these renewal requirements apply to your structural landscaping credential.
Does the licence settle whether insurance responds?
No. Licensing and insurance are separate checks. Holding a current licence does not by itself confirm that a policy responds to a particular landscaping activity, contract or supervision arrangement.
Before accepting work, check the current regulator page and your policy’s Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for covered activities, exclusions, monetary limits and any licensing or supervision conditions. This article is general information, not financial or legal advice.
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FAQ
Which option is for someone who only supervises structural landscaping work?
A qualified supervisor certificate is the listed certificate for the supervision role. If the person will also contract for the work, check whether an individual, company or partnership contractor licence—or an endorsed contractor licence—is required for that combined arrangement.
Is the NSW threshold $5,000 or more than $5,000?
The regulator’s contractor-licence threshold is more than $5,000 in labour and materials, including GST. The guidance separately says a licence or certificate is required to do structural landscaping work, so the threshold should not be treated as permission to work without checking the certificate requirements.
Can an apprentice or trainee obtain the licence now?
No. A person who is currently an apprentice or trainee cannot be issued with the licence or certificate. After completing the apprenticeship or traineeship, they must apply for a contractor licence if they intend to carry out or contract for building or trade work.
How long does the licence or certificate run?
Applicants can choose a 1, 3 or 5 year licence or certificate term. Existing holders can renew using the details on their renewal form or through Service NSW.
Does a supervisor endorsement cover every specialist activity?
It must be appropriate to the relevant category. Check that the contractor licence and the supervisor’s endorsement or qualified supervisor certificate both cover the specialist work being carried out.
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