Yes—for classification purposes, NSW includes non-habitable pergolas and gazebos that are not brick or stone structures, while skylights and awnings are expressly listed as carpentry work. The NSW Government’s carpentry guidance, updated 23 June 2026, says a contractor licence is required to carry out, advertise or contract for building or trade work valued at more than $5,000 in labour and materials, including GST (figures checked 1 October 2026). The work definition and the licensing threshold answer separate questions: one classifies the work, while the other determines when the contractor-licence rule applies.
What does the NSW carpentry definition cover?
Carpentry is classified as trade work. Its core definition covers cutting and placing timber or timber composites for on-site construction to put up framing or fix components such as stairs, windows, doors, floors and wallboards.
Plasterboard is excluded and treated as dry plastering work. The NSW Government also directs readers to the definition in Schedule 4 of the Home Building Regulation 2014.
Are pergolas, gazebos, skylights and awnings included?
| Work | Treatment under the NSW carpentry definition |
|---|---|
| Pergolas | Included as non-habitable outdoor shelters or structures, excluding brick or stone |
| Gazebos | Included as non-habitable outdoor shelters or structures, excluding brick or stone |
| Skylights | Expressly included |
| Awnings | Expressly included |
For pergolas and gazebos, the wording limits the inclusion to non-habitable outdoor structures that are not brick or stone structures. Skylights and awnings appear separately in the listed carpentry scope.
Which similar structures are excluded?
| Lookalike work | NSW carpentry treatment |
|---|---|
| Brick or stone structures | Excluded from the listed non-habitable shelter or structure scope |
| Garages | Not included |
| Sheds | Not included |
| Carports | Not included |
These exclusions only determine that the work sits outside this particular carpentry category. They do not, by themselves, identify which other licence or certificate category may apply to a particular job.
The treatment of stone needs care as well. Non-structural stone veneer facing or cladding is included as exterior wall cladding, even though brick is excluded from that cladding item and brick or stone structures are excluded from the listed shelter category.
What about concrete associated with a pergola?
Outdoor concrete work can be either inside or outside the carpentry scope depending on its purpose.
| Concrete work | Treatment |
|---|---|
| Footings or structural support for outdoor construction, including pergolas, timber decks and timber or metal fencing | Included in carpentry work |
| Concrete paths, slabs or similar work | Excluded from carpentry work and generally requiring a licence in general concreting |
A timber pergola and the footings supporting it may therefore fall within carpentry, while a separate concrete path or slab may fall into general concreting.
When does the more than $5,000 threshold apply?
| Part of the rule | NSW requirement |
|---|---|
| Work covered | Building or trade work, including residential carpentry |
| Value threshold | More than $5,000 |
| How value is assessed | Labour and materials, including GST |
| Relevant activities | Carrying out, advertising or contracting for the work |
The threshold is a licensing test, not a test for whether something is carpentry. The NSW Government also states that a licence or certificate is required to do carpentry work, so the contractor-licence threshold should not be treated as a blanket exemption from checking the appropriate credential.
Which licence or certificate may be relevant?
NSW licence types depend on whether the person intends to contract to the work, supervise it, perform it or combine those roles. For carpentry, the Government lists:
- an individual contractor licence or endorsed contractor licence;
- a company or partnership contractor licence; or
- a qualified supervisor certificate.
The correct route therefore depends on both the nature of the work and the role played in carrying it out.
How should a borderline job be checked?
Use the NSW Government regulator page as the controlling source for the current definition. For help with an application or information about training and accreditation, the listed contact is Building Commission NSW.
This is general information, not financial or legal advice. Check the regulator page before relying on a licensing classification, and check the policy’s Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) if the work also has insurance implications.
Sources
FAQ
Are all pergolas and gazebos carpentry in NSW?
No. The listed inclusion applies to non-habitable outdoor shelters or structures, such as pergolas and gazebos, but excludes brick or stone structures.
Are skylights and awnings carpentry in NSW?
Yes. Both skylights and awnings are expressly included in the NSW carpentry definition.
Are garages, sheds and carports classified as carpentry?
No. Garages, sheds and carports are expressly excluded from this carpentry category, even where they may involve timber or look similar to an included outdoor structure.
Does concrete work associated with a pergola count as carpentry?
Concrete footings or structural support for outdoor construction such as pergolas can be included. Concrete paths, slabs and similar work are excluded and generally require a licence in general concreting.
Does the more than $5,000 value decide whether a job is carpentry?
No. First, compare the work with the NSW carpentry definition. Then use the more than $5,000 labour-and-materials threshold, including GST, to determine whether the contractor-licence rule applies.
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