A Sydney Morning Herald investigation has revealed that over 750 tradies obtained fake qualifications through a criminal syndicate and were granted licences by NSW authorities. Despite the alarm being raised nearly a year ago, only 63 high-risk licences have been cancelled so far, with hundreds more still under review. The ongoing scandal, part of the Herald’s Shoddy Sydney series, highlights the cost of unqualified work—$700 million in annual building defects—and raises serious questions about the integrity of NSW's licensing system. NSW Building Commissioner James Sherrard says the issue is being addressed, but many licences remain active.

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