How to Verify a Contractor Licence in Queensland
Queensland has one of Australia's most comprehensive contractor licensing systems, administered by the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC). Whether you're a homeowner hiring a builder for renovations, a project manager onboarding subcontractors, or a platform verifying trade credentials, checking that a contractor holds a current QBCC licence is essential — and it's the law.
Under the Queensland Building and Construction Commission Act 1991, it is an offence for a person to carry out building work valued at more than $3,300 (including GST and labour) without holding the appropriate QBCC licence. Penalties for unlicensed contracting can exceed $46,000 for individuals and significantly more for companies. As a consumer, verifying a licence protects you from substandard work, ensures you have access to statutory warranties, and confirms your contractor carries the required insurance.
Step-by-Step: How to Check a QBCC Licence
Gather the contractor's details
To search for a contractor on the QBCC register, you'll need at least one of the following: their QBCC licence number, business name, individual name, or ABN/ACN. The licence number is the fastest and most accurate search method. Contractors are required to display their QBCC licence number on contracts, quotes, and advertising.
Search via the official QBCC register
Visit the QBCC Licence Check page on the QBCC website. Enter the contractor's details and review the results. The register shows the licence holder's name, licence number, licence classes, current status, and any conditions or disciplinary history.
Search via WorkClear for faster, multi-state results
WorkClear's Queensland licence search provides instant results from our synchronised copy of the QBCC register. Benefits include searching across all Australian states in one place, API access for automated verification, and bulk lookup tools for teams managing multiple contractors. WorkClear covers 107,000+ Queensland licence records.
What to Look for in the Results
When you receive licence search results, pay attention to several key fields:
- Licence status: Look for "Current" or "Active". A status of "Suspended", "Cancelled", or "Expired" means the contractor cannot legally perform building work.
- Licence classes: QBCC licences are issued for specific categories and classes of work. Ensure the contractor's licence covers the type of work you need — a plumber's licence doesn't authorise electrical work, and a low-rise builder can't construct high-rise buildings.
- Expiry date: QBCC licences must be renewed annually. Check that the licence hasn't lapsed. A contractor with an expired licence is effectively unlicensed.
- Conditions: Some licences carry conditions — such as a maximum project value, supervisory requirements, or restrictions on the type of work permitted. Read any conditions carefully.
- Demerit points and sanctions: The QBCC records disciplinary actions. A contractor with a history of compliance orders may warrant extra scrutiny.
Queensland's Licensing Framework
Governing legislation
Contractor licensing in Queensland is governed by the Queensland Building and Construction Commission Act 1991 (the QBCC Act) and the Building Industry Fairness (Security of Payment) Act 2017. These Acts establish the licensing framework, set out the powers of the QBCC, and define the obligations of licensed contractors — including minimum financial requirements, insurance obligations, and dispute resolution processes.
The licensing body: QBCC
The Queensland Building and Construction Commission is a statutory authority responsible for regulating the building and construction industry in Queensland. It issues and manages contractor licences, investigates complaints, enforces building standards, and administers the Home Warranty Scheme. The QBCC maintains the public register of all licensed contractors, which is the source of truth for licence verification.
Penalties for engaging unlicensed contractors
It is an offence under the QBCC Act for a person to carry out, or advertise to carry out, building work without the appropriate licence. Individuals face fines of up to 1,665 penalty units (approximately $46,000). Companies face substantially higher penalties. Beyond fines, engaging an unlicensed contractor means:
- You may not be covered by the QBCC Home Warranty Scheme
- You lose access to the QBCC's dispute resolution services
- Your home and contents insurance may not cover defective work
- You may have difficulty obtaining a building certification
Insurance requirements
Queensland's Home Warranty Scheme is a statutory insurance scheme administered by the QBCC. It provides cover for homeowners when a licensed contractor fails to complete residential construction work or when defects appear within 6 years and 6 months of completion. The scheme covers defective or incomplete work up to a maximum of $200,000. QBCC-licensed contractors are required to have this coverage — it's built into the licensing framework, not a separate policy the contractor must purchase.
Tip: The QBCC Home Warranty Scheme is unique to Queensland and differs from the home warranty insurance products used in other states. It's funded by a levy on licensed contractors, meaning coverage is automatic for residential building work done by licensed contractors.
Common QBCC Licence Types
| Licence Class | Scope of Work |
|---|---|
| Builder — Open | All types of building work with no project value limit |
| Builder — Low Rise | Buildings up to 3 storeys and Class 1 & 10 buildings |
| Builder — Medium Rise | Buildings up to 3 storeys, including Class 2 buildings |
| Trade Contractor — Plumbing | Plumbing and drainage work |
| Trade Contractor — Electrical | Electrical installation and maintenance |
| Trade Contractor — Carpentry | Structural and finishing carpentry |
| Trade Contractor — Painting | Painting and decorating work |
| Trade Contractor — Tiling | Wall and floor tiling |
| Design — Building Design | Design services for buildings |
| Nominee Supervisor | Technical supervision of work under a contractor licence |
Queensland's licensing system distinguishes between contractor licences (held by businesses that contract with clients) and nominee supervisor licences (held by individuals who provide technical oversight). There are over 40 trade categories and sub-categories, each requiring specific qualifications, experience, and in some cases, technical examinations.
Important: A contractor must hold a licence for each specific category of work they perform. A builder with a "Low Rise" class cannot construct a 5-storey apartment building, and a painting trade contractor cannot perform structural carpentry. Always verify the licence class matches the work being quoted.
Why Licence Verification Matters in Queensland
Queensland's building industry is one of Australia's largest, driven by continued population growth and infrastructure investment. The QBCC manages over 107,000 active licences covering builders, trade contractors, designers, and supervisors across the state. With this volume of activity, licence verification is not just a regulatory formality — it is a critical risk management step for homeowners, builders, insurers, and anyone involved in the construction supply chain.
By checking a contractor's QBCC licence before engaging them, you ensure they meet the Minimum Financial Requirements (MFR) set by the QBCC, hold the appropriate qualifications, and are covered under the Home Warranty Scheme. This simple step can save thousands of dollars and months of dispute resolution if something goes wrong on a project.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it free to check a contractor's QBCC licence?
Yes. The QBCC online licence search is completely free to use. WorkClear also offers unlimited web lookups with a free account. API access for automated or bulk verification requires a WorkClear subscription.
How often is QBCC licence data updated?
WorkClear syncs data from the QBCC register daily, so licence statuses, conditions, and expiry dates reflect the most current publicly available information. The QBCC itself updates its register in near real-time as licence changes are processed.
What if a contractor's QBCC licence is expired or suspended?
If a QBCC licence has expired, been suspended, or been cancelled, the contractor is not legally permitted to carry out building work in Queensland. Engaging an unlicensed contractor can void your insurance, leave you without warranty protections, and may make it harder to pursue legal remedies if something goes wrong.
Can I verify licences from multiple states at once?
Yes. WorkClear aggregates data from all Australian states and territories into a single search. You can verify a Queensland QBCC licence and a New South Wales licence in the same session without switching between different government websites.
What is the difference between a QBCC contractor licence and a nominee supervisor licence?
A contractor licence is held by the business entity (individual, partnership, or company) that contracts directly with the client. A nominee supervisor licence is held by an individual who provides the technical supervision and oversight for work carried out under a contractor licence. Every licensed contractor must have at least one nominated supervisor.
Verify any Australian contractor licence instantly
Search across QLD and all other states in one place. Unlimited web lookups with a free account, plus API access for teams.