Buildings with cladding are not necessarily dangerous. There are many factors that need to be taken into account, including existing fire safety systems, so each case needs to be carefully reviewed and assessed by experts.
In October 2018, the Queensland Government amended the Building Regulation 2006 to add the Building and Other Legislation Cladding Amendment Regulation. New laws regarding combustible cladding took effect in Queensland from 1 October 2018.
On 1 September 2021 the Department of Energy and Public Works remade the Building Regulation 2006. The Building Regulation 2021 provides transitional arrangements that continue the combustible cladding obligations for private building owners in Part 4A of Building Regulation 2006. It also enables a person to be prosecuted for an offence under the expired combustible cladding provisions.
Building owners
Queensland building owners should refer to Building Regulation 2006 for their obligations and visit the Safer Buildings website for all necessary information on how to complete the combustible cladding checklist.
Building owners in Queensland are required to register their buildings and complete the combustible cladding checklist if the building is all of the following:
- privately-owned (not owned by the State, Commonwealth or another State)
- a class 2 to 9 building
- of type A or B construction
- had a building development approval given, after 1 January 1994 but before 1 October 2018, for building work to build the building or to alter the cladding on the building.
For information on classes of building and types of construction, please refer to the Building Codes of Australia (BCA) Classes of buildings. You may find this information on the building's Certificate of Occupancy (previously known as Certificate of Classification)—if you own a building in classes 2-9.
Building occupants
If you are concerned about the safety of the cladding on a building in which you work, rent or own a unit, you should contact the building's owner, manager or body corporate. They will be able to confirm if the building was required to complete the combustible cladding checklist. For privacy reasons, the QBCC cannot share information about affected buildings.
For information on building owner obligations to occupants, visit the Safer Buildings website.
Safer Buildings Taskforce
In 2019, the Queensland Government established the Safer Buildings Taskforce to identify Queensland buildings with a potential fire risk in relation to external wall cladding through targeted audits. The Taskforce is working to identify government and privately-owned buildings of possible concern.
It is important to note that investigations by the Taskforce are in addition to an already strong building safety system in Queensland. Mandatory fire safety installations and systems in commercial and accommodation buildings may include fire alarms, sprinkler systems, and evacuation requirements. Hospitals have comprehensive emergency safety measures in place.
If issues are identified during the audit process, the Taskforce will work closely with building owners and local authorities to explore solutions.
The Safer Buildings Taskforce builds on the work of the Non-Conforming Building Products (NCBPs) Audit Taskforce.
Learn about non-conforming building products and see our complaints and disputes sections for how to report NCBPs.
Approved way for giving documents to the QBCC
Detailed below are the different approved ways for giving documents to the QBCC under Part 4A of the Building Regulation 2006.
Approved Way for all documents required under Part 4A of the Building Regulation 2006 (except for Replacement Checklists, Compliance Notices and Compliance Certificates)
The approved way for giving all documents to the QBCC under Part 4A of the Building Regulation 2006 (except for giving a replacement checklist, compliance notice and compliance certificate) is:
- using the online system to give the document to the QBCC; or
- a person may, on consent by the commission, give the QBCC documents by email, post or through an approved cloud-based document sharing platform.
Approved way for Replacement Checklist
Under section 16ZQ of the Building Regulation 2006, a building owner can submit an application to QBCC to replace their checklist. The building owner or their registered agent must submit a Form 75 - Replacement Checklist in their application.
We will consider if the request for a Replacement Checklist is reasonable in the circumstances and notify you if your request has been approved or not. If the application is approved, you will be advised by the Building Safety and Standards Enforcement and sent an approval email with instructions.
Process to commence your replacement checklist
The following steps detail the process for an approved way to replace a checklist:
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You must first receive your approval email from the QBCC permitting the replacement of a checklist.
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We will provide you a fact sheet based on your specific circumstances to guide you through the process.
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After logging in, follow the instructions on the fact sheet. Start at Part 1 and proceed to answer all questions based on your current situation.
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Upload all relevant documents to the system as required, including Statutory Declarations that have been signed and witnessed.
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Email qbcc.saferbuildings@qbcc.qld.gov.au advising you have replaced the checklist and we will take the required action in relation to your original checklist.
The approved way to replace a checklist is available on the fact sheet: Approved Way - Replacement Checklist.
Approved way for Compliance Notice
If a cladding fire risk has been identified at a building, the building owner is required to display a Form 42 - Affected Private Building Notice.
The building owner must submit a Form 76 - Compliance Notice with photographic evidence to demonstrate to us that the Affected Private Building Notice is appropriately displayed. The approved way to provide this form and information is via email to qbcc.saferbuildings@qbcc.qld.gov.au
Approved way for Compliance Certificate
If a building certifier gives the owner a compliance certificate stating the combustible cladding complies with the BCA, the building owner is required to give the QBCC a copy of the compliance certificate within the period:
- starting on the day the building certifier gives the owner the compliance certificate; and
- ending 5 business days after the day mentioned in the bullet point above.
The approved way to give the compliance certificate is via email to qbcc.saferbuildings@qbcc.qld.gov.au
Safer Buildings
Your obligations as a building owner to keep occupants safe.
