✅ Updated 2026 — Victoria specific

Victoria has its own building and trade licensing system under the Victorian Building Authority, along with specific grant programs and state-level considerations for self-employed tradies.

📋 In This Article

  1. →VBA registration and licences
  2. →Victorian government grants
  3. →Tax deductions for Victorian tradies
  4. →WorkSafe Victoria
  5. →FAQs

VBA Registration and Licences

In Victoria, building and trade licences are issued by the Victorian Building Authority (VBA). Key registrations for tradies:

  • Domestic Builder (Limited) — for tradies doing domestic work in a specific trade (e.g. roofing, flooring)
  • Domestic Builder (Unlimited) — for builders doing all aspects of domestic construction
  • Commercial Builder — for commercial building work
  • Plumbing registration — managed by VBA, required for all plumbing, drainage, gas fitting, roofing and mechanical services work
  • Electrical licence — managed by Energy Safe Victoria (ESV), required for all electrical work

Apply and manage your registration at vba.vic.gov.au. Annual registration fees are tax deductible.

Victorian Government Grants for Trade Businesses

  • Business Victoria grants — various rounds open periodically at business.vic.gov.au for small and medium businesses
  • Victorian Apprenticeship Network — wage subsidies and support for employers taking on apprentices
  • Solar Homes Program — incentives for solar and battery installers and their clients
  • Payroll tax threshold — Victoria has a payroll tax threshold of $700,000 (2025–26). Most sole traders and small trade businesses fall well below this.

Tax Deductions — Victorian Specific

  • VBA registration fees — fully tax deductible
  • Energy Safe Victoria fees — deductible for electricians
  • WorkSafe premiums — deductible if you have employees
  • CityLink and EastLink tolls — Melbourne tradies face significant toll costs. Export your e-tag history for work trips — all deductible.
  • Domestic Building Insurance (DBI) — required for domestic building work over $16,000 and tax deductible as a business cost

WorkSafe Victoria

Victorian workers compensation is managed by WorkSafe Victoria. All employers must register with WorkSafe before their first employee starts. Premiums are based on industry classification and wages — typical trade rates are 3–8% of wages. All premiums are tax deductible.

What is Domestic Building Insurance in Victoria?

DBI (formerly known as builder's warranty insurance) is mandatory for domestic building work over $16,000 in Victoria. It protects homeowners if you become insolvent, die or disappear before completing the work. Get it through the Victorian Managed Insurance Authority (VMIA) or approved insurers. The premium is a deductible business expense.