What should I do if a tradie asks for full payment upfront?

Refuse immediately. No legitimate tradie or trade business requires full payment before starting or completing work. A deposit of 10–30% of the total job value is completely normal and covers the cost of materials and scheduling. For large projects involving significant upfront materials (such as roofing or concreting), a deposit of up to 40% may be reasonable. Anything beyond that is a major red flag. Full payment should only ever be made once the work is completed to a satisfactory standard and you have inspected the result. If a tradie refuses to proceed without full payment upfront, walk away and find someone else.

How do I check if a tradie's licence is real?

Every Australian state and territory has a free online licence verification tool you can use in about 30 seconds. In NSW, use the Service NSW licence checker at service.nsw.gov.au. In Victoria, use the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) search tool. In Queensland, use the QBCC licence search at qbcc.qld.gov.au. In Western Australia, use the Building Commission WA register. In South Australia, use Consumer and Business Services. Ask the tradie for their licence number before they start, then verify it yourself. Check that the licence is current, in the correct name, and covers the type of work being done. Expired or wrong-category licences are a serious warning sign.

Are tradies on TradeVault scam-free?

TradeVault significantly reduces the risk of hiring a dodgy tradie by verifying trade licences, ABN registrations, and public liability insurance for every professional before they can receive or respond to a single job lead on the platform. This eliminates the most common scam entry points — unlicensed operators and uninsured workers. However, no platform can guarantee every outcome on every job, and we always encourage homeowners to also check reviews, ask for a written quote, and never pay more than a 30% deposit upfront. We take complaints seriously and remove any tradie who violates our community standards or is found to have provided false credentials.

Is it safe to hire someone from Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree?

It carries significantly more risk than using a verified platform. Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree do not verify trade licences, insurance, or ABN registrations, which means a large proportion of operators advertising there are unqualified or uninsured. While many legitimate tradies do advertise on these platforms to fill their calendar, so do many unlicensed operators who use them specifically because there is no screening process. If you do find someone through an unverified source, treat it as starting from zero: ask for their licence number and verify it with the relevant state authority, ask for a certificate of currency for their insurance, check their Google reviews, and never pay more than 20% upfront.

Tradie Tips

How to Avoid Tradie Scams in Australia — Red Flags & Tips

Sarah Connell— Home Improvement Writer22 December 20257 min read816 words

Common tradie scams targeting Australian homeowners, how to spot them, and what to do if you've already been scammed.

How Common Are Tradie Scams in Australia?

Consumer affairs agencies across Australia receive tens of thousands of complaints about dodgy tradespeople each year. Scams range from minor overcharging to full-blown fraud where homeowners are left thousands of dollars out of pocket with incomplete or dangerous work. The most vulnerable are elderly homeowners and those who have just experienced damage (storms, floods) and are in urgent need of repairs.

The Most Common Tradie Scams

Knowing the playbook is the first step to protecting yourself.

Door-to-door cold callers — offering "special deals" because they're "working in your area"
Storm chasing — appearing after storms, pressuring you to sign insurance forms on the spot
Bait and switch — quoting low to win the job, then dramatically increasing the price once started
Fake licences — providing false or expired licence numbers
Advance fee fraud — taking a large deposit, then disappearing
Shoddy work — completing work that appears done but fails quickly or causes damage
Unnecessary work — telling you there are serious problems that don't exist
Verbal-only quotes — no written record, allowing the "price" to change dramatically