These free sessions are tailored to support builders, subcontractors, developers, and advisors by unpacking key regulatory requirements and offering practical guidance on licensing, financial obligations, and FSC WHS accreditation. 

Why attend?

• Learn directly from QBCC and FSC experts
• Understand licensing and financial requirements
• Discover how to gain FSC WHS accreditation
• Explore opportunities in federally funded and state construction projects

Whether you're navigating the complexities of compliance or looking to position your business for federally funded projects, this is an opportunity not to be missed.

As Queensland’s building regulator, the QBCC is deeply committed to community education and industry engagement. The QBCC’s Executive Director of Regional Services, Mick Allen, will be a featured guest speaker at the Brisbane session, bringing expert insights into licensing classes, financial requirements, and the support services available to industry professionals.

This collaboration with Ai Group reflects the QBCC’s ongoing commitment to working alongside peak bodies and empowering industry stakeholders with the knowledge and tools they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving landscape.

On the third and final day of the event (Sunday 21 September at 1.30pm) the QBCC’s experienced team will present a must-attend session designed to guide home owners through the building and renovation process from start to finish. The session will cover essential topics including:

• how to find a licensed contractor in your local area
• ways to check a contractors’ previous work
• navigating contracts and deposits
• managing variations
• resolving disputes and more.

You’ll also hear about helpful new resources like the Home Owner Hub and the rollout of digital licences for QBCC licensed contractors—both designed to improve your building or renovation experience and make it easier for home owners to engage with the QBCC.

Where to find us

Throughout the three-day event, the QBCC’s team will be available at booth L 08 to answer your questions, offer practical insights, and help you make confident, informed decisions—whether you’re just starting out or already mid-project.

Don’t miss your chance to connect with industry experts—visit the QBCC at the Brisbane Home Show this September.

In the meantime, visit the QBCC’s Home Owner Hub for guidance through every stage of your building and renovating journey. 

This alert provides guidance from the Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia (EWPAA) and Timber Queensland on what constitutes acceptable practice.

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Why this matters

• Oversized holes reduce the structural integrity of buildings.
• Proactive inspections have identified repeated instances across Queensland.
• Following EWPAA guidance will help maintain compliance.

Acceptable penetrations in ply bracing panels

According to the EWPAA:

• A neat hole (not overcut) up to 100 mm x 100 mm may be cut within 100 mm of vertical and top edges, and 200 mm of the bottom edge of the panel.
• Multiple 100 mm x 100 mm holes are allowable within this envelope, but centres must be at least 600 mm apart.
• One hole up to 400 mm x 400 mm is acceptable if located between studs, framed with nogging, and fixed as required for top and bottom plates.

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Helpful links

• QBCC Standards and Tolerance Guide
• Wood Solutions: AS 1684 - Code Compliance Overview

Further information

• For more assistance, contact QBCC here
   

Disclaimer: The information in this building alert is for educational purposes only. Although the QBCC endeavours to provide accurate and current information, it does not guarantee that the information communicated in this building alert will continue to be accurate and current in the future. The QBCC is not liable for any claims arising from incorrect or out-of-date information or any decisions or actions made based on the information contained in this building alert. The information conveyed in this building alert does not constitute legal or other specialist advice and should not be relied upon as such.

As the QBCC continues to expand its digital capabilities, it is more important than ever to keep your online accounts secure.

Whether you are logging into your QBCC Portal account, checking email or managing your business apps, your password is often the only thing standing between you and a cybercriminal.

Why passphrases matter

A passphrase is a longer, more secure version of a password. Think of it like upgrading from a screen door to a steel one. Good passphrases are:

• at least 14 characters long
• made of four or more unrelated words
• unique to each account.

Avoid names, phrases or anything that could be guessed. The more random, the better.

Add extra protection with MFA

Wherever possible, turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA). It means even if someone guesses your passphrase, they cannot get in without a second step. Like a code sent to your phone.

Use a password manager

Keeping track of different passphrases does not have to be hard. Password managers help you generate, store and fill in passwords automatically.

A few minutes of effort = long-term protection.

Passwords should be treated like tools of the trade—essential to protect. Protect it like your job depends on it…because it does.

Quick links

For guidance from trusted sources, visit:

• Cyber.gov.au—Create strong passphrases
• Cyber.gov.au—Use a password manager
• Cyber.gov.au—Set up MFA
• Qld.gov.au—Cyber safety tips

Financial literacy workshops: what is my bottom line telling me?

Queensland Small Business Month is the perfect time for small business owners to get a handle on their business data.

This series of financial literacy workshops, being held across Queensland and online, will provide general information and guidance, as well as the opportunity to chat one-on-one with business experts for personalised support.

We know that many of our licensees are also small business owners, so this is a great opportunity to get the advice you need to keep on top of your business’s finances and make sure you’re meeting your minimum financial requirements. 

Business recovery clinics

If you’ve been impacted by a recent natural disaster, the business recovery clinics can provide tailored financial advice and business wellbeing support, as well as advice about managing your business after the disaster. These clinics include personalised one-on-one sessions with small business experts. 

To find out more about all the events on offer during Queensland Small Business month, visit the Business Queensland website. 

How we can help

The QBCC is committed to supporting small business owners in the Queensland building and construction industry. We have a range of useful resources available on our website, or you can contact us on 139 333.

The World Toilet Organisation estimates there are 3.6 billion people in the world living with poor quality toilets that ruin their health and pollute their environment. 

Safe toilet products safeguard good sanitation

The QBCC supports the aims of World Toilet Day and would like to take this opportunity to promote greater understanding of the role that non-conforming building product laws play in keeping sanitation in Queensland compliant and safe.

Non-conforming building product laws are designed to ensure building products, including toilets and bidets, are of acceptable quality, meet Australian standards and are fit for their intended purpose.

A building product is considered a non-conforming building product (NCBP) if it is any of the following:

• the product is not, or will not be, safe
• not compliant with the relevant regulatory requirements (e.g. plumbing products must be WaterMark certified to be compliant)
• it doesn't perform to the standard it is represented to perform to.

*In Australia, plumbing products including those purchased via online stores like eBay and Amazon must be:

• WaterMark certified
• marked with the WaterMark trademark, WaterMark licence number and the applicable product specification
• listed on the WaterMark product database, and
• provided with a Scope of Use statement specifying its intended use.

_{*From Australian Building Codes Board} 

Any associated product packaging and promotional material must also be marked with the WaterMark trademark and licence number.

Buying WaterMark Certified products may help you to ensure the product is fit for purpose, authorised for installation and safe.  It is your responsibility to ensure products are not a non-conforming building product, even if they are supplied by the client of other person.

The QBCC recommends referring to the Manual for the WaterMark Certification Scheme to ensure a product complies.

To learn more about NCBPs and your responsibilities visit the QBCC’s dedicated NCBP pages. 

For more information about WaterMark Certification visit the ABCB website. 
 

Tradies have flocked to the Sunshine State over the past 18 months, with the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) experiencing its biggest jump in licensee numbers in more than five years.

The number of tradies moving from New South Wales and Victoria to Queensland has increased significantly since 2016, with 408 licensees in 2021 compared to 283 in 2016 (NSW) and 161 licensees in 2021 compared to 85 in 2016 (Victoria).

Licensees play an important role in carrying out quality building work to the appropriate standards to ensure the safety of all Queenslanders.

QBCC Interim Commissioner Richard Cassidy said Queensland’s building and construction industry has remained strong during the pandemic.

“Queensland has been the place to be during the pandemic and we’ve kept building sites open across our great state,” he said.

“Tradies in Australia have jumped at the chance to share in our building confidence, deciding to move north for the career opportunities we have to offer.”

Mr Cassidy said tradies moving to Queensland from interstate or New Zealand could apply for a QBCC licence under the Mutual Recognition Act.

The QBCC urges home and property owners to only use a licensed tradesperson, regardless of the size of the project. To help with this, the QBCC offers a free licence search facility.

The QBCC approved a total of 821 mutual recognition licences from Australian states and territories and New Zealand in 2021, compared to 795 in 2020 and 578 in 2016.

Under the mutual recognition pathway, a licensee from another Australian jurisdiction or New Zealand notifies the QBCC of their intention to carry out building work in Queensland.

The QBCC is required to issue the mutual recognition applicant with a QBCC licence in the appropriate equivalent class of work within one month of receiving such a notification.

“A building boom means trade contractors are currently in high demand, which is good for the economy and good for the building industry,” Mr Cassidy said.

Trades, including builders, cabinet makers, carpenters, bricklayers, concretors, gasfitters and air-conditioning and refrigerator mechanics have joined the list moving to Queensland.

Further information about Mutual Recognition is on the QBCC website.