Most tradies need less paperwork than they fear, but it has to be the right paperwork, done properly. Here’s a plain-English checklist, from sole trader to growing crew, plus what builders usually ask subbies for before they let you on site.
Every tradie, including sole traders
- SWMS for any high risk construction work, prepared before the work starts and given to the principal contractor (see our SWMS in Australia guide)
- White Card (general construction induction training) for anyone doing construction work
- Licences for the work you do: trade licence, builder’s or contractor’s licence where your state requires one (for example QBCC in Queensland), and high risk work licences (for example large EWPs, forklifts, cranes, scaffolding, dogging)
- Safety data sheets (SDS) for the hazardous chemicals you use, kept where people can get to them
- Pre-start checks on plant and equipment, and a record of servicing
- Incident records: notifiable incidents must be reported to the regulator straight away, and records kept for at least 5 years
Once you employ workers
- Workers’ compensation insurance (WorkCover Queensland, icare in NSW, WorkSafe Victoria and so on)
- Inductions for each new worker on your business, the site and the SWMS
- Toolbox talks and records showing you consult your workers on safety
- Risk Assessments (sometimes called a JSA or JHA) for tasks that aren’t high risk construction work
- First aid arrangements and an emergency plan for the workplace
- A register of hazardous chemicals if you store or use them
- Training and licence records for each worker
If you’re the builder (principal contractor)
On a construction project worth $250,000 or more, the principal contractor must prepare a WHS management plan, collect SWMS from subcontractors before high risk work starts, and manage site safety, including signage, security and site inductions.
What builders usually ask subbies for
Even when the law doesn’t name it, most builders and tier-2 contractors want to see these before you start. They’re often part of a prequalification or tender pack:
- Your SWMS for the job
- Certificates of currency for public liability and workers’ compensation
- Licences and White Cards for your crew
- A WHS policy, and sometimes a simple safety management system
- Plant and equipment registers and pre-start records
- Toolbox talk and induction records
We can help you get sorted
This is our everyday work. Some clients use the app to do it themselves, some prefer paper, and some just want us to write it. If you’re not sure where to start, call us and we’ll work out what your business needs. No jargon, no call centre.
Not sure what you need? Talk to a real person
We talk tradie, not acronyms. Give us a call and we’ll tell you what your business actually needs.
General information based on the model Work Health and Safety laws used across most of Australia. It isn’t legal advice. Victoria uses its own OHS laws with very similar SWMS rules, so check the detail for your state.