In Queensland, any building, plumbing, electrical or trade work over $3,300 (including materials) must be performed by a licensed contractor. The Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) maintains a free, public license register. Hiring an unlicensed tradie above this threshold is illegal and voids most home insurance policies.
The 2-minute license check
- Go to qbcc.qld.gov.au → “Licensing” → “Online Licence Search”
- Enter the tradie’s license number, business name, or ABN
- Confirm:
- License is current (not lapsed, suspended, or surrendered)
- License tier covers the work (e.g. a “Builder — Low Rise” can’t legally do a multi-storey build)
- No active complaints or disciplinary action
The register shows full history — past complaints, dispute resolutions, even directorship of failed companies. A 30-second search can save you a $50,000 mistake.
What the QBCC license tiers mean
Builder licenses
- Builder — Open: any value, any complexity
- Builder — Low Rise: residential and commercial up to 3 storeys
- Builder — Medium Rise: commercial up to 3 storeys + medium rise residential
- Builder — Restricted (Structural Landscaping): retaining walls, decks, pergolas only
Trade licenses
- Plumbing & Drainage: all plumbing work — required for hot water installs, taps, fixtures, drainage
- Gas Fitting: required separately for gas appliance installs
- Electrical: actually issued by Electrical Safety Office (ESO), not QBCC, but verifiable on the same gov.au domain
- Painting & Decorating: required for any single job over $3,300
- Roofing: required for full roof replacements and major repairs
- Plastering, Tiling, Carpentry, Concreting: required when single job > $3,300
What “License & Insurance” really means
Any reputable tradie in QLD will display:
- QBCC license number (or ESO number for electrical)
- ABN (Australian Business Number)
- Public liability insurance (typically $10M cover, $20M for commercial work)
- WorkCover (if employing other workers)
If a tradie can’t provide their QBCC number on first ask, walk away. Reputable operators have it in their email signature.
When QBCC license isn’t required
- Work valued under $3,300 in any single job (including materials)
- Maintenance work (specific list — most maintenance under threshold is exempt)
- Work performed on the contractor’s own property
- Some agricultural exemptions
Even for sub-$3,300 work, an operator’s QBCC license is a strong proxy for quality. Most professional tradies maintain their license year-round even for jobs that don’t legally require it.
Home Warranty Insurance — the second check
For residential work over $3,300, the contractor must also have QBCC Home Warranty Insurance for that specific job. This is paid per-project and protects the homeowner if the contractor:
- Fails to start or complete the work
- Becomes insolvent during the job
- Performs defective work and refuses rectification
The contractor must provide a Home Warranty Insurance certificate before the job starts. If they can’t, don’t sign the contract.
What to do if you’ve already hired an unlicensed tradie
If work is incomplete or defective and you discover the tradie was unlicensed:
- Stop payment for any unfinished work
- Document everything — photos, written communications, what was paid for what
- Lodge a complaint with QBCC at qbcc.qld.gov.au — they investigate even retrospectively
- Contact a building insurance lawyer if the work cost over $20,000
Unlicensed contracting is a strict liability offence in QLD — penalties include fines up to $69,300 for individuals and $346,500 for corporations.
Common mistakes
- “My mate’s a sparky, he’ll do it cash.” No QBCC = no insurance = no recourse if anything goes wrong.
- Trusting the license number on a flyer without checking the register. Numbers can be lapsed, stolen, or fabricated. Always verify on qbcc.qld.gov.au directly.
- Skipping the Home Warranty Insurance certificate. Without it, you have no protection if the builder goes bust mid-job.
Quick checklist
- QBCC license verified on qbcc.qld.gov.au
- License tier covers the proposed work
- No active complaints or disciplinary history
- ABN verified on abr.business.gov.au
- Public liability insurance certificate received (current, not expired)
- Home Warranty Insurance certificate (if residential work over $3,300)
- Written quote on letterhead with license number visible