Trade business rules around the world, one place at a time

Wherever you run a trade business, the same four questions decide whether you stay out of trouble and get paid: who may do the work, what protects your invoices, what insurance is compulsory and how the tax rules treat your labour. The answers change completely at every border, and sometimes at every provincial or state line. These guides answer them one jurisdiction at a time, in plain language, with pointers to the official regulators.

Also see the US state guides for the American picture. Each guide is reviewed and updated as thresholds and statutes change.

Canada

• Ontario: Skilled Trades Ontario certification, ECRA/ESA and TSSA licensing, 28-day prompt payment, 60-day lien deadlines and WSIB.
• British Columbia: Technical Safety BC licences, BC Housing residential builder licensing, the 45-day builders lien deadline and WorkSafeBC.
• Alberta: compulsory trade certification, Master Electrician permits, the Prompt Payment and Construction Lien Act deadlines and WCB Alberta.
• Quebec: the mandatory RBQ contractor licence, CMEQ and CMMTQ trade licences, CCQ competency certificates, the legal hypothec and CNESST.

Australia

• New South Wales: the $5,000 contractor licence threshold, HBCF insurance over $20,000, contract requirements and Security of Payment claims.
• Victoria: registration over $10,000, the switch from DBI to Home Warranty in July 2026, ESV electrical licensing and the new SOP amendments.
• Queensland: the $3,300 QBCC licence threshold, minimum financial requirements, home warranty premiums and BIF Act payment claims and trusts.
• Western Australia: builder registration over $20,000, home indemnity insurance, licensed electrical and plumbing work and the SOP Act 2021.

UK and New Zealand

• The UK: CIS deductions and the April 2026 changes, VAT reverse charge, Gas Safe and Part P, Building Safety Act duties and statutory adjudication.
• New Zealand: LBP and restricted building work, the 70 square metre consent exemption, CCA payment claims, retentions on trust and ACC.

Europe

• France: artisan qualification requirements, mandatory décennale insurance, RGE certification for energy work and the 20/10/5.5 VAT rates.
• Germany: the Meisterpflicht and its alternatives, Handwerkskammer registration, Bauhandwerkersicherung payment security and the 13b VAT reverse charge.
• The Netherlands: the Wkb quality assurance regime and extended defect liability, CO certification for gas work, ZZP enforcement and chain liability.
• Spain: autónomo registration, the mandatory REA registry, the three-level subcontracting cap, TPC training cards and construction VAT.
• Italy: DM 37/2008 installer qualification, the DURC contribution certificate, the patente a crediti site licence, SOA for public work and VAT.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Licensing thresholds, payment statutes, insurance and tax rules change; always confirm current requirements with the regulator, a lawyer or your accountant before relying on them.