Mechanical services licences

Do you need a Mechanical Services – Plumbing licence?

For information about the work performed under the Mechanical Service - Plumbing licence refer to the scope of works below:

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

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

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

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 - plumbing work requires a licence.

QBCC licence types available for mechanical services – plumbing work are listed below. The work allowed under each licence type is outlined under each heading:

Company:

• Company operation  

Example: Trading company

Contractors can:

• Personally perform work
• Supervise work
• Contract for work
• Be nominee for a company

Example: Individual or company contracting with the public

Occupational licensees can:

• Personally perform work
• Supervise work

Example: Employee of a company

Nominee Supervisors can:

• Supervise work

• Be nominee for a company

Example: Employee of a company

• Site Supervisors can:

  • Supervise work

Example: Employee of a company

Note: 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 factsheet  Companies and licensing (PDF).

How to apply

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

Details of the required technical qualifications can be found on the following fact sheet:

• Technical qualifications and experience for Mechanical Services – Plumbing licence

Existing plumbers and drainers - applying using the alternative qualification pathway

This alternative pathway does not apply to occupational licences. Those apply for an occupational licence have until 1 January 2022 to hold a licence.

QBCC Plumbing and Drainage contractors, nominee supervisors and site supervisors have until 30 June 2020 to submit an application for a Mechanical Services - Plumbing licence using the alternative qualification pathway provided by transitional arrangements.

For examples of the experience required use the  Mechanical Services – Plumbing Experience fact sheet.

More information about the transitional arrangements are available on the  Transitional Arrangements for Mechanical Services – Plumbing licence webpage.

Existing air-conditioning and refrigeration contractors 

Existing QBCC air-conditioning and refrigeration contractors have until 30 June 2020 to submit an application for a free Mechanical Services – Plumbing licence.They must ensure that: 

• they have the required technical qualifications, 
• can show that they have performed mechanical services plumbing work (or employed workers to carry out this work) for a minimum period of six months prior to 1 January 2020; and 
• apply by 30 June 2020. 

More information about the transitional arrangements are available on the  Transitional Arrangements for Mechanical Services – Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration licence webpage.

How to lodge your application

Did you know you can lodge your application form online with myQBCC? If you’re an existing licensee user of myQBCC, applicable fee exemptions will be automatically calculated when you lodge online.

Visit  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:

• Individual contractor/nominee supervisor licence application (PDF)
• Company licence application (PDF) (if applicable)
• Site supervisor licence application (PDF)
• Occupational licence application (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.

Nominee Supervisor, Site Supervisor and Occupational licence fees are 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.