You get a QBCC licence by choosing a licence class, meeting its eligibility requirements and applying to the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC). The licence is needed for building work in Queensland valued over $3,300, and for some trade work of any value.
This guide sets out who needs one, the licence types, eligibility, fees, renewal and the penalties for unlicensed work. Each figure comes from the QBCC and was checked on 16 October 2026.
Licensed contractors also commonly arrange construction insurance, such as public liability insurance, alongside the licence. Cover depends on the policy and insurer you choose. Check the policy wording and its terms and conditions for what is and isn't included.
What is a QBCC licence?
A QBCC licence is the licence the regulator issues to people and companies who carry out or supervise building work in Queensland. The QBCC says it manages "over 160 licence classes that are applicable to 5 different types of licences".
Each licence class sets a scope of work, such as builder low rise, carpentry, concreting, plumbing or fire protection. It is often called a Queensland contractors licence, or a Queensland builders licence for builder classes. Our guide to the NSW contractor licence explains the NSW rules.
Swipe left or right to see the full table.
Who needs a QBCC licence in Queensland?
Individuals and companies need a QBCC licence to carry out building work valued over $3,300. The QBCC says the threshold drops to $1,100 where the work involves hydraulic services design.
Some work needs a licence at any value. The QBCC lists drainage, plumbing, gas fitting, termite management (chemical), fire protection, completed residential building inspection, building design, site classification and mechanical services.
Who doesn't need a QBCC licence?
The QBCC lists these common situations where a licence may not be needed:
- employees of a licensed contractor, "in most cases"
- an owner working on their own property, where the work is "valued at no more than $11,000"
- handyman work, "as long as the value is no more than $3,300, isn't electrical or plumbing work and doesn't require an occupational licence"
- an electrician doing electrical work, which is licensed separately; the QBCC notes an electrician "cannot carry out building work without a QBCC licence"
The QBCC also says there are 53 exemptions in Schedule 1 of the QBCC Regulation. Our guide to what a handyman can do without a licence explains more.
What are the QBCC licence types?
The QBCC licence types set who can sign contracts and who can supervise or perform work. The QBCC describes four types.
| Licence type | Who holds it | Can contract directly? |
|---|
| Contractor | "a business licence issued to a company or an individual (sole trader, partner or trustee)" | Yes, with property owners, builders, principal contractors or developers |
| Nominee supervisor | "an appropriately qualified director, secretary or employee of a company" | No; supervises the company's building work |
| Site supervisor | "a person employed by a licensed contractor to supervise" building work | No |
| Occupational | Practitioners who perform fire protection, mechanical services, plumbing, drainage, gasfitting or termite management (chemical) work "as an employee" | No |
Swipe left or right to see the full table.
How does a fire protection licence work?
Fire protection licences sit in their own group of QBCC licence classes. The QBCC lists fire protection streams for passive, special hazard, water-based, portables, electrical and fire safety professional work.
Fire protection is also one of the occupational licence scopes for people doing the work as an employee, as the licence types table shows.
Can a company or partnership hold a QBCC licence?
A company can hold a contractor licence if it has a nominee. The QBCC says the nominee must be a director, secretary or employee who holds a contractor or nominee supervisor licence in the same class.
A partnership can't be licensed, but at least one partner needs a contractor-type licence. A trust can't hold a licence either; the trustee applies instead.
What are the eligibility requirements for a QBCC licence?
To hold a licence you show the regulator you meet its eligibility requirements. These cover technical and managerial qualifications, experience, financial information and being a fit and proper person. You also show your business structure, and some classes need professional indemnity insurance.
Technical qualifications
Technical qualifications show you have the skills for the work in your licence class. The QBCC says the qualifications for each class are set by the Queensland Department of Housing, Local Government, Planning and Public Works. Our guide to becoming a qualified tradesperson covers the training path.
How much experience do you need for a Queensland builders licence?
The experience you need depends on your licence class. The QBCC says "builders will need to provide details of 2 or 4 years' experience", based on their qualifications.
Completing an apprenticeship generally meets the experience requirement for a trade class. Referees need to be "appropriately licensed contractors" who can verify your experience.
For the builder low rise class, the QBCC application guide lists the CPC40120 Certificate IV in Building and Construction.
Managerial qualification
Trade contractor and nominee supervisor (trade classes) applicants need an approved managerial qualification. The QBCC names the unit BSBESB402 (Establish legal and risk management requirements of new business ventures).
Minimum financial requirements
Minimum financial requirements (MFR) are the financial tests a contractor must meet to hold a contractor-type licence. The QBCC sets a current ratio of "no less than 1:1" and "net tangible assets of at least $0".
Your financial category also sets your maximum revenue (the turnover allowed under the licence) and the net tangible assets (NTA) you need. The first four categories from the QBCC maximum revenue table are:
| Financial category | Net tangible assets | Maximum revenue |
|---|
| SC1 | $12,000 | Up to $200,000 |
| SC2 | $46,000 | Up to $800,000 |
| Category 1 | $46,001 to $156,000 | $800,001 to $3,000,000 |
| Category 2 | $156,001 to $480,000 | $3,000,001 to $12,000,000 |
Swipe left or right to see the full table.
Categories 3 to 7 run up to more than $240 million in maximum revenue. Sole traders in SC1 and SC2 "do not need to provide annual financial reporting but must still meet MFR", according to the QBCC.
Professional indemnity insurance for some classes
Professional indemnity insurance is designed to cover claims that your advice, service or work caused a client financial loss.
Some licence classes need it. The QBCC lists builder (project management services), building designer and fire protection (certify and design classes). It also lists completed residential building inspector, hydraulic services design, site classifier and termite management (chemical).
The QBCC also says "Contractors in specific trades with professional indemnity insurance are exempt from meeting MFR".
How do you apply for a QBCC licence?
You apply for a QBCC licence by sending the application form for your class to the QBCC with your evidence and the fee. The steps below follow the QBCC's own pages.
- Choose your licence class from the QBCC list of available licences.
- Check the eligibility requirements for that class.
- Gather your qualifications, experience record, referee details and financial information.
- Supply proof of identity. The QBCC says you can send documents "by email, in person, or by post".
- Pay the licence fee for your licence type and financial category.
Can you use an interstate licence in Queensland?
An individual with a licence from another state, territory or New Zealand may get an equivalent licence under mutual recognition. The QBCC says "Mutual recognition does not apply to a company or partnership".
Your interstate licence "must remain active" to qualify. The QBCC can only issue a licence equivalent to the one you already hold.
How much does a QBCC licence cost?
A new individual contractor licence costs from $773.89 to $1,696.50, depending on your financial category. These figures were listed on the QBCC licence fees page when checked on 16 October 2026. The QBCC says "Our fees and charges increase on 1 July each year", so check the page before you apply.
| Licence | SC1 | SC2 | Category 1 to 2 | Category 3 to 7 |
|---|
| Individual contractor, new | $773.89 | $920.68 | $1,180.19 | $1,696.50 |
| Company contractor, new | $1,402.83 | $1,673.10 | $2,155.02 | $3,075.81 |
| Individual contractor, 1 year renewal | $335.08 | $419.21 | $501.47 | $754.35 |
| Company contractor, 1 year renewal | $670.06 | $836.55 | $1,004.97 | $1,506.44 |
Swipe left or right to see the full table.
SC1 is "not available to builders", according to the QBCC.
Nominee and site supervisor licences cost $501.46 for a new applicant and $250.73 for a 1 year renewal. Occupational licences for fire protection and mechanical services cost $285.40 for a new applicant. A printed licence certificate is an optional $35.18.
How do you renew a QBCC licence?
You renew a QBCC licence by paying the renewal fee by the due date. The QBCC says it sends "a licence renewal notice one month before it is due".
If you don't pay by the due date, "your licence may be suspended". A licence not renewed within 3 months of expiry is cancelled. You then have "a further 3-month period" in which you may be able to restore it, paying the renewal fee plus a $142.70 restoration fee.
What happens if you work without a QBCC licence?
Unlicensed building work can lead to prosecution under section 42 of the Queensland Building and Construction Commission Act 1991. The QBCC sets out the maximum penalties:
- first offence: 250 penalty units
- second offence: 300 penalty units
- third or later offence, or tier 1 defective work: 350 penalty units or 1 year's imprisonment
The same QBCC article reports a concreter fined $15,000 for repeat unlicensed work in January 2024.
Insurance to consider with a QBCC licence
Insurance for licensed contractors splits into statutory home warranty insurance, set by Queensland law, and commercial covers that contracts and clients commonly ask for. The table shows where each one commonly comes up.
| Insurance | Statutory or commercial | When it commonly comes up |
|---|
| Home warranty insurance | Statutory, through the QBCC | Residential work over $3,300 |
| Public and products liability | Commercial | Contracts, sites and head contractors |
| Contract works | Commercial | Building contracts that say who insures the works |
| Tools of trade | Commercial | Tools and equipment used for work |
| Professional indemnity | Commercial | Some licence classes, listed above |
Swipe left or right to see the full table.
Home warranty insurance
Queensland home warranty insurance is a statutory scheme the QBCC runs for homeowners. It applies to residential work "where the value of work is more than $3,300", according to the QBCC.
The licensed principal contractor collects the premium from the owner and pays it to the QBCC. The QBCC says payment is due before work starts or within 10 business days of signing the contract, whichever comes first. The value includes labour, GST and materials supplied by someone else.
Public liability insurance
Public liability insurance is designed to cover claims if someone is injured or their property is damaged in connection with your business. An example is a client tripping over materials on site. Products liability insurance is designed to cover claims for injury or damage caused by a product you made, sold or supplied, once it has left your hands.
Public liability and products liability are commonly arranged together as public and products liability insurance. Public liability insurance is not one of the QBCC eligibility requirements listed above.
Builders, head contractors and clients may still set a minimum requirement in the contract. An upcover representative or a broker can talk through what those limits mean for your business. Our guide to how much public liability insurance you may need explains common limits.
Electrical contractors have a separate licensing rule. WorkSafe Queensland says an electrical contractor's policy must include public and products liability of at least $5 million. It must also include consumer protection insurance of at least $50,000, under section 165 of the Electrical Safety Regulation 2026.
Contract works and tools of trade insurance
Contract works insurance is designed to cover the works under construction, such as materials and partly built work, against insured damage during a project. Whether you or a principal contractor arranges contract works cover is commonly set by the building contract.
Tools of trade insurance is designed to cover the tools and equipment you use for work against theft and accidental damage, depending on the policy.
Each cover is subject to the policy terms and conditions.
How upcover can help
upcover arranges public and products liability and tools of trade insurance for Queensland builders and tradespeople. upcover works with 80+ insurance partners and can arrange quotes from a range of insurers.
- 70,000+ businesses covered
- 4.9/5 customer rating
- Certificate of currency available once your policy is confirmed
You can get a quote for construction insurance online.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a QBCC licence for work under $3,300?
A QBCC licence is generally not needed for building work valued at $3,300 or less. The QBCC lists work that needs a licence at any value, including plumbing, drainage, gas fitting, fire protection and termite management (chemical).
How long does a QBCC licence last?
A QBCC licence stays current while you keep paying the renewal fee. The QBCC fees page lists renewal fees for 1 year and 3 year terms. The QBCC sends a renewal notice one month before the due date.
What is a QBCC nominee supervisor licence?
A QBCC nominee supervisor licence is held by a qualified director, secretary or employee who supervises a company's building work. The QBCC says a nominee supervisor can't contract directly; a contractor licence is needed for that.
Can an electrician do building work in Queensland?
An electrician needs a QBCC licence to carry out building work, even though electrical work is licensed separately. The QBCC says an electrician "cannot carry out building work without a QBCC licence". Our guide on whether an electrician can get a builders licence explains more.
What is the QBCC SC1 financial category?
SC1 is the lowest QBCC financial category, with maximum revenue up to $200,000 and net tangible assets of $12,000. The QBCC sets these figures, and the fees page says SC1 is not available to builders.
Does a QBCC licence include insurance?
A QBCC licence does not include public liability insurance or other commercial insurance. Home warranty insurance is a separate statutory scheme run by the QBCC. Contractors commonly arrange public liability and tools of trade insurance through an insurer or broker.
The information in this article is general information only and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. It is not legal, tax or financial advice. QBCC licensing rules, fees and the home warranty scheme are set by the Queensland Building and Construction Commission and Queensland law and can change, so confirm what applies with the QBCC before you apply. Before deciding whether a product is right for you, read the policy wording and its terms and conditions. upcover arranges insurance products with selected insurers and underwriters and does not compare all general insurers or insurance products available in the market.
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