Who must hold a QBCC licence

With the popularity of do-it-yourself (DIY) programs and social media accounts, it’s easy to see why people might think a home renovation can be completed quickly and easily, but the reality is often more complex. 

In Queensland, individuals and companies must hold a QBCC licence to carry out building work that is:

• valued over $3,300
• valued over $1,100 where it involves hydraulic services design
• of any value where it involves:
  • plumbing or drainage
  • gas fitting
  • termite management – chemical
  • fire protection
  • completed residential building inspection
  • building design – low rise, medium rise and open
  • site classification
  • mechanical services. 

Licensed contractors are qualified professionals who work to standard to ensure the safety, accessibility and sustainability of our built environment. If you’re not familiar with what those standards are, the National Construction Code is Australia’s rule book for how new homes must be designed and built, and how plumbing and drainage should be installed in both new and existing buildings. In some cases, it also applies to new building or plumbing work done on existing properties. The Queensland Development Code (QDC) works alongside the NCC and sets out additional, state-specific requirements that apply to building work in Queensland including matters such as energy efficiency, swimming pool safety, fire safety, and standards for certain types of structures.

Learn more about who does and doesn’t need to hold a QBCC licence.

Next: Find a licensed contractor