A NSW Fair Trading spokeswoman said together with SafeWork NSW, it had staff assisting at established recovery centres in Bega, Batemans Bay and Ulladulla at the invitation of the Emergency Response Unit within the Department of Justice.

"Fair Trading is working with the recovery coordinators for the both Northern and Southern NSW and will provide additional local support where needed," she said.

"Although Fair Trading has not received any complaints or enquiries about substandard work carried out in response to the bushfire affected communities, it is reminding consumers that anyone who undertakes work to rebuild or repair damaged homes is required to have a valid licence or tradesperson certificate."

The spokeswoman said Fair Trading had also responded to the bushfire crisis by providing information and education to bushfire affected communities and individuals.

"We are also supporting other NSW government agencies to coordinate efforts and ensure information is as centralised as possible, for example, through the Service NSW website," she said.

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NSW Labor Deputy Leader Yasmin Catley toured Tenterfield and Drake and the Northern Rivers on Tuesday, January 14.

Along the way she heard more than one tale of unscrupulous tradespeople ripping people off and about some of the scams used by tricksters.

"We know that after every disaster we see this unscrupulous behaviour unfold," she said.

"It's a terrible time when the victims are at their most vulnerable. When they ware looking to rebuild and move on quickly because of the horror they've just experienced."

Ms Catley said it was essential those affected by bushfire were careful who they engaged to undertake repair or rebuilding works on their fire-affected properties.

She said while insurance companies would often engage tradespeople or builders directly on behalf of policy holders, the uninsured or underinsured may find themselves having to project-manage their own rebuild efforts.

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With many regional or rural communities being completely devastated by bushfire, Ms Catley said it was likely builders and contractors from out of area would move in to meet a surging demand.

"But you should always look at your local tradespeople first because they're part of your community," she said.

"If you've got successful trades people in your community, then they're not ripping anyone off. They're doing the right thing by their community.

"But I do realise that because of the breadth of the disaster, there will be people coming in from out of town, but check them out and try to make sure they are reputable."

Ms Catley suggested an online licence checking tool and also the Home Building Compensation Check tool will check if a builder has recently undertaken projects in your local area.

"These crucial checks only take minutes and could avoid the heartache and financial loss of dealing with a shonky builder or unlicensed tradie," Ms Catley said.

"Nobody who has been through a bushfire disaster should have to worry that they will be swindled during their rebuild.

"We need Fair Trading to be on the ground in fire affected communities speaking to people who are planning to rebuild and helping them avoid the pitfalls of engaging shonky builders who seek to make a quick buck during this crisis."

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