One of the most common questions we get from Melbourne homeowners is some version of: "Is this a job for a handyman or do I need a licensed tradie?" It's a fair question — and the answer matters both for cost and for compliance.
Here's a straightforward guide to what a handyman can legally do in Victoria, what requires a licensed tradesperson, and how to think about it when you're looking at a job around the house.
What a handyman can do
In Victoria, a handyman can legally perform general maintenance and repair work that doesn't require a licensed trade. This includes a broad range of practical jobs:
- Repairing, adjusting and replacing doors, windows and fly screens
- Patching and painting walls and ceilings
- Replacing tap washers and minor plumbing maintenance (not involving pipes or licensed plumbing work)
- Installing shelving, cabinets and flat-pack furniture
- Garden maintenance, lawn care and clean-ups
- Pressure washing driveways, paths and surfaces
- Gutter cleaning
- Fence and deck repairs (non-structural)
- Installing and replacing light switches (like-for-like smart switch swaps in many cases)
- CCTV camera installation and smart home device setup
- General property maintenance and odd jobs
Most day-to-day home maintenance falls into this category. A good handyman covers a huge amount of ground.
What requires a licensed tradesman
There are specific categories of work in Victoria that must be performed by a licensed tradesperson — regardless of how simple the job looks:
Licensed plumber required for:
- Any work involving water supply pipes, drainage or sewer connections
- Hot water system installation, repair or replacement
- Gas fitting
- Installing new taps (beyond washers — where the pipe connection is involved)
- Anything behind the wall where plumbing is connected
Licensed electrician required for:
- Any new wiring, circuits or switchboard work
- Installing hardwired light fittings or power points
- Connecting appliances to wiring
- Any work involving the main electrical panel
Registered builder required for:
- Structural work (load-bearing walls, structural posts, new footings)
- New construction or additions
- Work requiring a building permit
The grey areas — where people get confused
A few common jobs sit right on the boundary:
Tap replacement: Replacing a washer — handyman. Replacing the entire tap fitting where the pipe connection is involved — licensed plumber. If in doubt, we'll tell you honestly.
Smart switches: Replacing an existing switch with a smart version (like-for-like, same box) — generally handyman territory. Adding new wiring or new circuits — licensed electrician.
Fence posts: Repairing an existing leaning post — handyman. A new fence that shares a boundary with a neighbour and involves ground anchoring — may require a licensed tradesperson depending on the scope.
Deck repairs: Replacing damaged boards, recoating timber — handyman. Replacing structural posts or footings — builder or licensed tradesperson depending on scope.
Why it matters
Using an unlicensed tradesperson for licensed work can affect your insurance, create liability issues if something goes wrong, and potentially cause problems when you sell the property. It's not worth the risk.
At Epping Maintenance Services, we're always upfront about what we can do and what needs someone else. If a job is beyond our scope, we'll tell you and can point you towards trusted licensed tradespeople in northern Melbourne.
If you're not sure which category your job falls into — just call us and describe what needs doing. We'll tell you straight away whether it's something we can handle.