Apply for a fire protection licence

There are several fire protection licence types.

• Fire Protection or Mechanical Services Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Occupational Licence (PDF) – this licence allows you to carry out fire protection work as an employee or subcontractor to a licensed contractor who holds the same class of licence. You cannot contract directly with homeowners or builders with this licence.
• Fire Protection and Mechanical Services Contractor Licence (PDF) – this licence allows you to contract directly with homeowners or builders. It also allows you to carry out fire protection work. Companies can hold this type of licence.
• Fire Protection and Mechanical Services Nominee Supervisor Licence (PDF) – this licence allows you to supervise fire protection work as an employee or subcontractor to a licensed contractor who holds the same class of licence. You cannot contract directly with homeowners or builders with this licence. You could also be a nominee for a company.

Who can apply

Anyone who performs or supervises fire protection work needs to have an appropriate licence. The only people exempt are apprentices, trainees and students.

How to apply

Fire protection occupational licence

Fill out the application form (PDF) providing:  

• documents showing you hold the technical qualifications required for the licence class
• proof of identity (e.g. a certified copy of your driver’s licence or passport).

Contractor/nominee supervisor fire protection licence

Fill out the application form (PDF) providing:

• details of 2 years' experience where you carried out fire protection work covered in the relevant scope of work
• documentation showing you hold the technical qualifications required for the licence class (e.g. Certificate IV, formal qualification certificate). If you don’t hold the technical qualifications, refer to a registered training organisation for a skills assessment against that qualification. Visit training.gov.au for a list of registered training organisations.
• three references (names and contact numbers) to confirm your experience
• financial information that shows you meet QBCC's Minimum Financial Requirements, which includes proof of Professional Indemnity insurance cover for the licence classes which include certification (Nominee Supervisor applicants don’t have to provide this information)
• a certificate of completion of an approved managerial course
• proof of identity (e.g. a certified copy of your driver’s licence or passport)
• if contracting under a trading name – a current copy of your Record of Registration from the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC)
• if contracting under a partnership – proof of the business partnership, or complete an original or certified copy of the Statutory Declaration for a Partnership Agreement (PDF).

If you already hold a QBCC licence

If you are applying for an additional licence class, you don’t need to provide a copy of any support documentation you’ve previously given QBCC, unless you need to update that information (e.g. proof of identity, trading name or financial information).

Re-applying for a licence

If you've previously held a licence and you want to re-apply, find out about your options - Renew, update or surrender your licence

What are the fees?

Check the current licence application fees.

How to lodge your application

Lodge your completed application form, with all the supporting documentation and correct application fee:

• by post, to GPO Box 5099, Brisbane QLD 4001 (please provide copies of original documents only, unless we request otherwise)
• in person at your nearest QBCC office.

How long will it take to be processed?

We will take approximately 6–8 weeks to process your application. This includes checks to confirm you are a fit and proper person to hold a licence.

After you've applied

If your licence is approved, you'll receive a letter with your licence number and scope of work for the licence class.

Q&As

• What if I hold a licence in another state?

  • You may be entitled to use the mutual recognition process to apply.