How to Check a Licensed Locksmith in New South Wales

A locksmith is one of the few tradespeople you allow to open your front door, handle your keys and change who can get into your home. That level of access deserves a little checking first. The good news is that in New South Wales, checking whether a locksmith is legitimate is quick and free.

This guide explains why licensing matters, how to check a licence, what else to look for, and the warning signs that should make you think twice. It is written for people in Bankstown and across Sydney, but the principles apply anywhere in NSW.

Why licensing matters for locksmiths

Most trades are licensed to protect consumers from poor workmanship. Locksmithing goes further, because a locksmith's skills can be used to get into places they should not.

In NSW, locksmith work is treated as security work. Security licensing is managed by the NSW Police Force through its Security Licensing and Enforcement Directorate. Licensing involves identity checks and probity checks, which are designed to keep people with relevant criminal histories out of security work.

Rules can change, so always check the current requirements with the NSW Police Force or Service NSW. The key point stays the same: a legitimate locksmith should be able to tell you their licence details straight away, and you should be able to confirm them.

How to check a licence

Checking a licence usually takes less than five minutes.

1. Ask for the licence number. A legitimate locksmith will give it to you without hesitation, either on the phone or when they arrive.
2. Ask for the name on the licence. It should match the person doing the work, or the business they work for.
3. Search the public register. NSW publishes a public register of security licences. Search for the licence number or the person's name on the Service NSW website.
4. Check the details match. Look at the name, the licence class and whether the licence is current.
5. Ask to see the licence card on the day. The person who turns up should be able to show it.

If the details do not match, or the locksmith will not give you a licence number, you are entitled to decline the job.

What the register can and cannot tell you

The public register confirms that a licence exists, who it belongs to and whether it is current. That is valuable, but it is not the whole picture.

The register can tell you:

• whether the licence number is real;
• the name of the licence holder;
• the type of licence;
• whether it is current, suspended or expired.

The register cannot tell you:

• how good the locksmith's work is;
• whether their prices are fair;
• whether they communicate clearly;
• whether they turn up when they say they will.

For those things, you need other checks.

Other signs of a legitimate locksmith

A licence is the starting point. These other signs help confirm you are dealing with a genuine local business.

A real business name and address. A legitimate locksmith can tell you where they are based. If a website lists dozens of suburbs but no actual address, be cautious. Our own address is 37 Rickard Rd, Bankstown NSW 2200, and it is the same on every page of our site and on our business listings.

A local phone number. Some lead-generation services use a single number for many suburbs and pass the job to whoever is available. You may not know who is coming.

An ABN. Australian businesses have an Australian Business Number. You can check an ABN for free on the Australian Business Register website. The business name should match.

Clear pricing before work starts. A legitimate locksmith will tell you what the job is likely to cost before they start, and will ask before adding anything.

A proper invoice. You should receive an invoice that shows the business name, ABN and a description of the work.

Insurance. Public liability insurance protects you if something goes wrong. It is reasonable to ask whether a locksmith is insured.

Proof of ownership checks. A good locksmith will ask you for proof that you are entitled to enter a property before opening it. That is a sign of professionalism, not suspicion.

Warning signs to watch for

Most locksmiths are honest. A small number use tactics that take advantage of people who are locked out, stressed and in a hurry. Watch for these signs.

• Very low prices on the phone that grow sharply once the locksmith arrives.
• Refusing to give any idea of cost before setting out.
• No licence number, or excuses about why they cannot give it.
• Going straight to drilling a lock without trying non-destructive methods.
• Pressure to buy expensive locks you did not ask for.
• Cash only, with no invoice.
• An unmarked vehicle and no identification.
• No proof of ownership check before opening your door. If they will open your door for you without checking, they may do the same for someone else.

If you notice any of these signs, you can stop the job and call someone else. You are not obliged to continue because someone has turned up.

Checking a locksmith in a hurry

When you are locked out, it can feel as though there is no time to check anything. In practice, the most important checks take only a minute on the phone.

Ask three questions:

1. "What is your licence number?"
2. "Where is your business based?"
3. "What will the callout cost, and when can you be here?"

A legitimate locksmith will answer all three clearly. If the answers are vague, call someone else.

Better still, save a trusted local locksmith's number in your phone before you need it. Then you will not have to search online in a stressful moment. Our article on emergency lockouts in Bankstown explains what to do first when you are locked out.

Why this matters for your home

A locksmith who rekeys or replaces your locks knows the layout of your door hardware, may cut your new keys and may see the inside of your home. Choosing someone legitimate protects:

• your security, because you know who has worked on your locks;
• your money, because pricing is clear and invoices are proper;
• your insurance, because insurers may ask for invoices from a legitimate business;
• your peace of mind, because the job is done properly the first time.

Why this matters for businesses

Businesses have extra reasons to check. A locksmith working on a shop or office may handle master keys, set up key plans and work on exit doors. Poor work can affect staff safety, insurance and compliance.

Before engaging a locksmith for a business:

• check their licence and ABN;
• ask whether they have worked on similar premises;
• ask how they record keys and key plans;
• confirm they understand any exit door requirements.

Our commercial locksmith page explains how we work with businesses in Bankstown.

Reviews: helpful but not proof

Online reviews can be useful, but they should not replace a licence check. Some businesses have very few reviews because they are new or rarely ask. Others may have reviews that are not genuine.

When reading reviews, look for:

• specific details about the job, rather than generic praise;
• reviews spread over time, rather than many on the same day;
• how the business responds to complaints.

We do not show reviews or star ratings on our website unless they are genuine and verifiable. We would rather show nothing than show something misleading.

Questions about credentials you can ask

• Are you licensed to do locksmith work in NSW?
• Is the licence in your name or the business name?
• Do you have public liability insurance?
• What is your ABN?
• Will the person who comes to my home be the person whose licence you gave me?

None of these questions are rude. A professional locksmith expects them.

What to do if something goes wrong

If you have a problem with a locksmith, start by contacting the business directly and explaining the issue in writing. Keep a copy of your invoice and any photos.

If that does not resolve it, NSW Fair Trading can help with consumer complaints about services, including pricing and workmanship. If you believe someone is working without a required licence or has acted dishonestly, you can report it to the NSW Police Force.

Keeping records after the job

Once the work is done, keep a simple record. File the invoice with your home or business papers, note the date the locks were rekeyed or replaced, and record how many keys were cut. If you ever need to make an insurance claim, sell the property or deal with a tenancy dispute, that record shows exactly what was done, when and by whom. It also makes it easy to call the same locksmith back if a lock needs adjusting later.

Our approach

We think the information on this page should be easy for customers to check about any locksmith, including us. Our business name, address, phone number and hours are identical on our website, our business listings and our invoices. We ask for proof of ownership before opening any property, we give a cost before any work begins, and we do not publish credentials, reviews or ratings that cannot be verified.

You can read more about how we work on our about page, and the questions we hear most often on our FAQs page.

The bottom line

Checking a locksmith in NSW is quick: ask for their licence number, search the public register, and confirm the name and status match. Then look for the other signs of a legitimate business, including a real address, an ABN, clear pricing and a proper invoice. If anything feels wrong, you are free to say no.

If you would like to talk to a local locksmith in Bankstown, call us on 02 5657 6414, 7 days from 7:00am to midnight, or request a quote through our contact page. Ask us anything you like before we start. We would rather answer every question than have you feel unsure about who is working on your locks.