A dedicated squad targeting dodgy tradies has been established within South Australia's consumer watchdog.

The new Consumer and Business Services Building Industry Response Team (BIRT) came into effect earlier this year, tasked with cracking down on unscrupulous operators and better supporting South Australians who encounter difficulties while undertaking building work.

To date, the team has issued expiations worth more than $200,000 – sending a clear message to unlicensed operators that illegal behaviour will not be tolerated in the sector.

The establishment coincides with tougher penalties targeting unlicensed and dishonest builders, plumbers, gas-fitters and electricians who breach their legal obligations.

Today’s announcement is the latest in a series of policy changes designed to better protect South Australian consumers following a review into the building construction industry. Previous reforms include increasing the policy limit for building indemnity insurance from $150,000 to $250,000 to better protect people when building a home.