Holding a QBCC licence is not the same as joining a professional association. It’s not about membership benefits or optional affiliation. A QBCC licence is a legal requirement for carrying out building work in Queensland valued more than $3,300. It shows you’ve met the necessary standards to work safely and professionally in the building and construction industry.

Think of it like a driver’s licence. Holding a driver’s licence means you're legally allowed to operate a vehicle—and that you’ve demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and responsibilities required to do so safely.

Similarly, your QBCC licence means you have the right qualifications, experience, and financial standing to legally carry out building work in your class.

And just as driver’s licence fees contribute to road safety programs, traffic enforcement, and licensing services, your QBCC licence fees support industry regulation—such as education, compliance and enforcement activities—to help maintain a fair and safe construction industry for all Queenslanders.

This distinction is important.

Your QBCC licence plays a critical role in building trust with customers. It assures home owners that you’re qualified to undertake the work, that you understand your legal responsibilities—including contracts and the Queensland Home Warranty Scheme—and that you’re committed to meeting the standards required in Queensland’s building industry.

It’s also worth noting that like other highly regulated professions—such as medicine or accountancy—building and construction involves ongoing responsibilities and the need to keep up with changes in standards, laws, and expectations. Doctors and chartered accountants must maintain registration and certifications to continue practising, because their work carries significant responsibilities. So does yours. As of the 2024–25 financial year, there were more than 122,700 licensees registered with the QBCC—representing around 2.2 per cent of the Queensland population when including both individuals and companies.

With numbers like that, it’s more important than ever to make sure your work speaks for itself.

So, while we’re not a member organisation, as part of the Queensland Government we play a vital role in supporting licensees and protecting their lives and livelihoods. A QBCC licence isn’t a subscription—it’s a professional obligation, backed by the systems and services that keep Queensland’s building and construction industry resilient and thriving.

Why we conduct audits 

Audits are about maintaining the integrity of the plumbing profession. By verifying that notifiable work is correctly documented, we can:

• provide in-person support and guidance to licensees
• catch problems early to avoid costly issues
• ensure work meets safety and compliance standards. 

What to expect if you're selected 

If you’re selected for an audit, you’ll be asked to provide recent invoices for plumbing work. To make the process smooth and efficient, it’s important to make sure your invoices: 

• are clear and legible (no blurry scans or photos)
• include specific details about the work performed
• list the correct site address and building reference (if applicable). 

Once your documents are submitted, a member of the QBCC audit team will review them and get in touch if anything further is needed. 

Tools to help you stay compliant 

To help you stay on top of your obligations, the QBCC website offers a range of practical tools and resources: 

• a breakdown of what counts as notifiable work
• an interactive checker to see if your job needs a Form 4
• tips on how to lodge your Form 4/4A correctly. 

These resources are designed to make compliance easier and more accessible, so you can focus on doing great work. 

We’re for supporting licensed professionals, and you can help 

Unlicensed contracting is against the law and undermines the time, training, and investment that licensed plumbers put in to do things the right way. It diverts work away from legitimately qualified professionals and puts public safety at risk.

That’s why we’ve also made it easier to report wrongdoing through our updated complaints form.

If you’ve seen something that doesn’t sit right, you can raise a concern without revealing your identity. And while we’ll do our best to act on anonymous reports, our investigations team may need to follow up for additional details, some of which could be identifiable. Rest assured, we’ll maintain strict confidentiality throughout the process.

Have something to report? Submit your plumbing or drainage complaint here

Let’s work together to keep our high standards and protect the trade for all the future plumbers out there. 

What is the Find a Local Contractor database?

It’s a QBCC-owned and operated platform that connects you with your local community. It helps home owners find trusted professionals for building, renovation or repair work—right in their area—by using location and licence search functions.

It’s an easy way to get seen by home owners in your local community and beyond, who are already looking for someone with your skills.

It’s free, and we actively promote it to home owners.

How do I get listed?

Here’s how to get started in just three simple steps:

1. Hold an active QBCC licence

To be listed, you need an active QBCC licence. Your licence type will appear in search results, helping customers find the right contractor for their building or renovation needs.

2. Activate your myQBCC account (if you haven’t already)

Whether you’re new to the industry or you’ve been around a few seasons, you might not have activated your myQBCC account yet. It’s not automatically set up when your licence is issued so, make sure you sign up by completing a quick online registration form. 

Register for myQBCC.

3. Opt-in to the Find a Local Contractor database 

Once your myQBCC account is active and you are logged in, simply:

1. head to the Licences tab, click the Manage My Licences option and select the licences
2. select Action tab and choose Manage Find a Local Contractor
3. tick the Consent box
4. click Register.

Tools down take-away

There’s nothing to lose and everything to gain. Let your next customers find you and join the Find a Local Contractor database today.

Visit myQBCC today.