Under section 83 of the Construction Occupations (Licensing) Act 2004, advertising by a licensed individual, partnership or corporation must include the name recorded on the licence and the licence number; a corporation must also include its ACN. The requirement is published by the ACT Government’s City and Environment Directorate – Planning; figures checked 1 October 2026. For digital advertising, apply the same details: the Directorate says its examples are not exhaustive, although the published list expressly names radio and print advertising rather than digital channels.
What must an individual, partnership or corporation show?
| Licensed advertiser | Required advertising details |
|---|---|
| Individual | The name recorded on the licence and the licence number |
| Partnership | The name recorded on the licence and the licence number |
| Corporation | The name recorded on the licence, the licence number and the corporation’s ACN |
For a corporation, the ACN is additional to the two licence details; it does not replace either one.
How do I audit business cards, contracts and signage?
Check every advertising item against the same mandatory set:
- Name as recorded on the licence
- Licence number
- ACN if the advertiser is a corporation
Then check each format:
| Advertising material | Practical audit point |
|---|---|
| Business cards | Confirm that the applicable licence details are included on the card. |
| Sample contracts or contracts used to advertise services | Include the applicable details in each version provided or circulated. |
| Signage, including vehicle signage | Check every sign used to advertise the service. |
| Radio advertising | Check the words used in the announcement. |
| Print advertising | Check each advertisement layout. |
| Digital advertising | Apply the same details even though digital channels are not expressly named in the Directorate’s examples. |
| Letters and brochures | Check each version before issue or distribution. |
| Clothing bearing the licensee’s name | Do not treat the name on clothing as a substitute for the required licence details elsewhere in the advertising. |
The published list is not exhaustive, so these formats should not be treated as a closed definition of advertising.
How can I confirm that the advertised details are correct?
Use the construction professionals list to check whether the licence is current. The Directorate says the list can also show any endorsements, conditions or restrictions.
A practical check is:
- Confirm that the licence is current.
- Review any endorsements, conditions or restrictions.
- Compare the advertised name with the name recorded on the licence.
- Check the licence number.
- If the advertiser is a corporation, confirm that its ACN is also included.
Prospective clients can use the same list when checking a licence.
What should happen when licence details change?
| Change | Required notification |
|---|---|
| A licensee’s licence details change, including the name, business address or contact details | Notify the Construction Occupations Registrar through the Construction and Work Place Licensing team within 2 weeks. |
| A corporation has a change of director or contact person | Also notify the City and Environment Directorate. |
The required licence-detail notification can be made by completing the Update licence or registration details form. The Construction and Work Place Licensing team can be contacted on 02 6207 8096 or at cwpl@act.gov.au.
Must insurance details appear in every advertisement?
Insurance is not one of the section 83 advertising details listed in the cited material. A separate requirement applies under section 47 of the Construction Occupations (Licensing) Act 2004: a construction occupations licensee working for a client must show the client their insurance, even if the client has not asked.
That is a client disclosure obligation, not a statement from the cited source that insurance details must appear in every advertisement. Check the policy’s PDS for its terms, exclusions and any disclosure wording.
This is general information, not financial or legal advice. Check the current City and Environment Directorate page and your policy’s PDS before publishing or relying on either requirement.
Sources
FAQ
Must an individual electrician include an ACN?
No. An individual must include the name recorded on the licence and the licence number. The additional ACN requirement applies to a corporation.
Must a partnership include an ACN?
The stated ACN requirement applies to a corporation. A partnership must include the name recorded on its licence and its licence number.
Are digital advertisements covered even though they are not expressly listed?
The requirement applies to advertising a service, and the Directorate says its examples are not exhaustive. Digital advertisements should therefore include the same applicable details as the published formats.
Does every advertisement need to show insurance?
Insurance is not included in the stated section 83 advertising details. Separately, section 47 requires a licensee working for a client to show the client their insurance.
What should I do if my licence name changes?
Notify the Construction Occupations Registrar through the Construction and Work Place Licensing team within 2 weeks. The change can be notified by completing the Update licence or registration details form.
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