South Australia · 2025
Licensing requirements, statutory warranty periods, key legislation, and cost benchmarks for trade work in South Australia.
Licence requirements apply to contractors performing work for payment. Always verify current requirements with the issuing authority before engaging a trade. Items marked [verify] should be confirmed against current legislation.
Structural defects
5 yr
5 years for defects in building work under the Building Work Contractors Act 1995. [verify: specific periods for structural vs non-structural and any recent amendments]
Non-structural
— yr
Included within the 5-year liability period. Contractual warranty terms may specify shorter periods for non-structural elements. [verify]
Key legislation
Building Work Contractors Act 1995; Development Act 1993 (being replaced by Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016)
SA does not require home warranty insurance in the same form as other states. Disputes can be lodged with CBS or referred to the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (SACAT). [verify current warranty insurance requirements in SA]
Building Work Contractors Act 1995
Governs licensing of builders and other building work contractors in SA. Implies statutory warranties for residential building work.
Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016
Governs planning approvals and development assessment in SA, replacing the Development Act 1993. Administered by local councils and the State Planning Commission.
Electricity Act 1996
Governs the safety and regulation of electrical work in SA.
Gas Act 1997
Governs the supply, distribution, and use of gas in SA, including safety requirements for gas fittings.
Track legislative changes across all states on the Trade Legislation Tracker.
Indicative 2025 market rates for South Australia. Actual prices vary by scope, location, and contractor. Always obtain multiple quotes.
Electrician — call-out / first hour
$120–$200
per call-out
Electrician — hourly rate
$80–$155
per hour
Plumber — call-out / first hour
$130–$210
per call-out
Plumber — hourly rate
$85–$175
per hour
Switchboard upgrade
$1,100–$3,400
per job
Hot water system — supply and install (heat pump)
$2,300–$4,200
per job
Split system air conditioning — supply and install (3–5kW)
$1,200–$2,900
per job
Roofing — Colorbond replacement
$48–$115
per m²
Painting — interior walls
$18–$38
per m²
Painting — exterior full repaint
$23–$48
per m²
Bathroom renovation (full)
$11,000–$32,000
per job (varies by scope)
READY TO GET A QUOTE?
Post your job on Steadyhand and receive quotes from verified tradies — with a signed scope agreement, milestone payments, and a warranty record built in.
Post a job →Steadyhand · South Australia trade guide · 2025 · Indicative only. Verify licence requirements and warranty periods with the relevant state authority.