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Apply for a Mechanical Services - Plumbing licence
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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)
'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 - plumbing 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.
| Type |
Supervise |
Personally perform work |
Be a nominee for a building company |
Enter into contracts for building work |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contractor | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Nominee Supervisor |
Yes | Yes | ||
| Site Supervisor |
Yes | |||
| Occupational | Yes | Yes |
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.
Details of the required technical qualifications can be found on the following fact sheet:
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 – Plumbing 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, the QBCC encourages you to submit your application, requesting the qualification be considered equivalent. The decision will be made on a case-by-case basis.
For more information about the documents needed to support an application for each licence type, use the Journey fact sheet for mechanical services – plumbing (PDF).
Existing plumbers and drainers - applying using the alternative qualification pathway
In response to industry feedback, transitional eligibility criteria have been expanded for Mechanical Services – Plumbing licences. Applicants for a Site Supervisor or Occupational licence who have six months’ relevant experience and a plumbing apprenticeship or a PD Act Water Plumber – Water and Sanitary licence may be eligible to apply under the alternative qualification pathway. Applications under the alternative qualification pathway must be approved by 31 December 2021. To allow time for processing, you should apply at least 8 weeks before the deadline.
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.
How to lodge your application
You can lodge your application form online with myQBCC at 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)
- Licence application form - Mechanical Services - Site Supervisor and Occupational (PDF)
- Mechanical Services - plumbing 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.
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.