QBCC Licence Verification — Queensland
Verify Queensland contractor licences against the official QBCC register. Search 107,793+ licensed builders and trade contractors instantly.
About the QBCC
The Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) is the statutory authority that regulates the building industry in Queensland. Established under the Queensland Building and Construction Commission Act 1991, the QBCC maintains the public register of all licensed contractors operating in the state.
In Queensland, anyone performing building work valued over $3,300 (including GST) must hold a valid QBCC licence. This covers builders, trade contractors, site supervisors, designers, and certifiers. The QBCC also oversees the Home Warranty Scheme, which provides protection for homeowners against defective or incomplete residential work.
WorkClear provides programmatic access to QBCC licence data including:
- 107,793+ licensed contractors in the database
- 193,000+ licence classes (work authorisations)
- Regular data updates from the official QBCC open data portal
- Instant verification via web search or REST API
QBCC Licence Types We Cover
The QBCC issues licences across several categories. Our data covers:
Plumbing, electrical, carpentry, and other trades
Supervision of building work on site
Buildings up to 3 storeys
Buildings from 3 to 15 storeys
No restrictions on building type or height
Nominated supervisor for a company licence
Building design and drafting
Building certification and inspections
Queensland Building Regulations
Queensland's building industry is regulated through the QBCC Act 1991 and the Building Act 1975. These laws set out licensing requirements, insurance obligations, and consumer protections for building work.
Key Requirements
- Home Warranty Insurance — contractors must provide home warranty insurance for residential building work over $3,300. This covers homeowners for up to 6.5 years for structural defects and 12 months for non-structural defects.
- Financial Requirements — QBCC licensees must meet Minimum Financial Requirements (MFR) that match their financial category. Categories range from Self Certification to SC2, with each level allowing higher contract values.
- Building Approvals — most building work requires a development approval from the local council or a private certifier before work can start.
- Owner-Builders — individuals can apply for an owner-builder permit from the QBCC for work on their own property valued over $11,000.
Trade Classes
Each QBCC licence can authorise multiple types of work. Common trade classes include plumbing and drainage, gasfitting, carpentry, electrical, air conditioning, roofing, tiling, waterproofing, painting, concreting, demolition, and landscaping, with over 100 trade classes in total.
For a step-by-step guide on checking QLD licences, see our Queensland Licence Verification Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check a QBCC licence in Queensland?
Use our Queensland licence search to verify any QBCC-licensed contractor. Enter their name, licence number, or ABN and we'll check the register for you. You can also look up contractors on the official QBCC website at qbcc.qld.gov.au.
What information is available for QLD licences?
Our QBCC data includes the contractor's name, licence number, ABN, licence type (individual or company), financial category, licence classes and work authorisations, and current status. This lets you confirm both identity and scope of authorised work.
How current is the Queensland data?
Our QBCC licence data is updated regularly from the official QBCC open data portal. Check our Status page for the latest update timestamp and record count. For time-sensitive compliance decisions, we recommend cross-referencing with the QBCC directly.
What is the $3,300 threshold for QBCC licensing?
In Queensland, any building work valued at more than $3,300 (including GST) requires the contractor to hold a QBCC licence. This is one of the lowest thresholds in Australia. By comparison, Victoria's threshold is $10,000 and WA's is $20,000. Work under $3,300 does not require a QBCC licence, though consumers should still check qualifications.
What is a QBCC financial category?
QBCC assigns each licensee a financial category that determines the maximum contract value they can take on. Categories range from Self Certification (lowest) through SC1 and SC2 (highest). Contractors must demonstrate they have the financial capacity to complete work at their approved level. Our data includes this category for each licence.
Verify Licences in Other States
Start verifying licences today
Free account — unlimited web lookups. No credit card required.