Apply for a Mechanical Services - Medical Gas licence

Do you need a Mechanical Services – Medical Gas licence?

All contractors who carry out mechanical services – medical gas work must obtain a Mechanical Services – Medical Gas licence by 1 July 2020. 

For information about the work performed under the Mechanical Service – Medical Gas licence, refer to the scope of works below:

• Mechanical Services - Medical Gas licence - Applicable for contractor, nominee supervisor, site supervisor and company licences
• Mechanical Services - Medical Gas occupational licence - Applicable for occupational licence only

The following fact sheets provide information about what is and is not mechanical services – medical gas work:

• Mechanical services - exemptions from licensing requirements (PDF)
• Mechanical Services – Medical Gas Licence Reference Guide (PDF)

'Conditioned’ licences

Mechanical services employees can apply now for a Mechanical Services Occupational licence, and when granted, the licence will commence on 1 January 2022. The first renewal will be 1 January 2023.  The temporary condition giving effect to this will be lifted on commencement.

We encourage you to apply early to ensure you have the qualifications and experience to be licensed by the 1 January 2022 deadline.

What licence type do you need?

The QBCC licence type you require is determined by the type of work you need to perform. All mechanical services – medical gas work requires a licence.

We offer four types of licence to cover different roles and responsibilities in the building industry. You must ensure that you only carry out building work covered by your licence type.

Please note, a company licence is required to operate as a company. When applying for a company licence, you must nominate a nominee supervisor who is licensed for the same scope of work. For more information, read our fact sheet Companies and licensing (PDF).

How to apply

All licensing applications require proof of identity and evidence of your technical qualifications. 

Visit the Technical qualifications and experience for Mechanical Services – Medical Gas licence fact sheet to check if you have the required technical qualifications.

Alternative qualifications that aren’t listed in the Technical Qualifications document may be considered on a case-by-case basis

Recent amendments to the QBCC Regulation will allow applicants for some mechanical services licences to benefit from a broader scope of alternative pathways.

All prescribed qualifications for the Mechanical Services – Medical Gas licence are in the Technical Qualifications document. However, in most circumstances for all licence types, there is a provision that the QBCC can consider an alternate qualification as equivalent.

If your qualifications differ from those prescribed in the Technical Qualifications document, we encourage you to submit your application, requesting the qualification be considered equivalent.

For more information about the documents needed to support an application for each licence type, use the Journey fact sheet for mechanical services - medical gas (PDF).

For examples of the experience required, use the Mechanical Services – Medical Gas Experience fact sheet (PDF)

If you are applying for an Occupational or Site Supervisor licence and do not hold the relevant technical qualification, you may be able to use your experience and relevant qualification to satisfy the technical qualification requirements for the Mechanical Services – Medical Gas licence, this is known as an alternative qualification pathway. 

Due to recent amendments to the QBCC Regulation, transitional arrangements for the alternative qualification pathway has been expanded. For more information, see the  Transitional Arrangements for Mechanical Services – Medical Gas licence webpage. 

To rely upon the alternative pathway, you must be able to demonstrate six months’ experience in performing mechanical services – medical gas work and hold either:

• a degree in engineering
• relevant apprenticeship
• QBCC gasfitting licence.

Individuals may also be eligible for a Mechanical Services – Medical Gas Occupational licence or a Mechanical Services – Medical Gas Site Supervisor licence if they can demonstrate two years’ experience in mechanical services – medical gas work gained before 1 January 2020

How to lodge your application

You can lodge your application form online with myQBCC by visiting my.qbcc.qld.gov.au/s/licence-app

For more information, see  myQBCC Mechanical services licence application user guide (PDF)

Alternatively, you can complete an application form and include all the supporting documents and correct application fee by completing the appropriate PDF form/s:

• Licence application form - Individual Mechanical Services - Medical Gas (PDF)
• Licence application form - Company Mechanical Services - Medical Gas (PDF)
• Licence application form - Site Supervisor and Occupational Mechanical Services (PDF)
• Mechanical Services - Medical Gas only - experience form (PDF)

If you completed a PDF form, you can lodge:

• By post: to GPO Box 5099, Brisbane QLD 4001 (please don’t send in original documents, such as qualifications, unless we request them)
• In person: at your  nearest QBCC Office

What are the fees?

Licence fees vary depending on what type of licence you are applying for. For contactors, fees vary depending on whether you are applying for an individual or a company licence, and the financial category you are applying for.

Nominee Supervisor, Site Supervisor and Occupational licences require a set fee.

Licence fee information is available on the  Licence Fees page.

How long will it take to be processed?

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

For contractors, this includes time to assess your ability to meet the Minimum Financial Requirements. 

We will contact you if we need any further information.

After you've applied

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

Can I work while my application is being processed?

If you have applied for a Contractor or Nominee Supervisor licence, you cannot lawfully work until your licence is granted.

Site Supervisors and Occupational applicants do not need to hold a licence until 1 January 2022 as long as they are working for a licensed contractor or company.