When is a licence required?
A licence is required when an individual or company wants to carry out, undertake to carry out or supervise building work valued over $3,300(including labour and materials) in Queensland.
A licence is required regardless of the value for carrying out building work involving:
Drainage
Plumbing and Drainage
Gas Fitting
Termite Management - Chemical
Fire Protection
Completed Residential Building Inspection
Building Design - Low Rise, Medium Rise and Open
Site Classification
*Hydraulic Services Design work of a value more than $1,100 requires a licence.
Carrying out or undertaking to carry out building work includes:
Directly or indirectly causing building work to be carried out
Providing advisory, administrative, management or supervisory services in relation to building work
Entering into a contract or submitting a tender for building work or offering (quoting and tendering) to carry out building work
Receiving payment; arranging payment of subcontractors; arranging labour; arranging and conducting on-site meetings & inspections; preparing plans and specifications; co-ordinating the scheduling of work by building contractors including as an agent for another person, obtaining engineering or soil reports; arranging for certificates from Local government to be issued etc.
Contracting for work as a subcontractor to a builder
For example - a company/individual has carried out building work if they receive payment, arrange for materials and labour, prepares plans and specifications or obtains engineers reports or soil samples etc. A company that is the principal contractor will be deemed to have carried out building work even where the work is carried out under a subcontract with another licensee.
Each class has a scope of work. It is important that the work you intend to perform is covered in that scope. If the work is not covered by one class you may need to apply for more than one licence.
A licence can only be issued to a company or an individual. BSA does not licence trusts or partnerships. Unlike a company, a trust is not recognised as a separate legal entity and for that reason cannot obtain a BSA licence. However, the trustee of the trust (being an individual or company) must obtain a licence in order to carry out building work in Queensland. For a partnership, a true partnership must exist and at least one (1) partner must be licensed by BSA.
A BSA licence is not required by:
A person who is a subcontractor (subtrade contractor) working for a licensed contractor - as long as the licensed contractor holds the correct licence for the type of work being undertaken.
A person holding an owner builder permit carrying out building work allowable under the permit.
An unlicensed person working in partnership with a licensee - as long as the licensed contractor hold the correct licence for the work being undertaken.
An employee of a licensee - as long as the employee is not personally supervising building work.
A person who is carrying out work that is not considered to be building work as defined in the Queensland Building Services Authority Regulations 2003 Part 2 section 5 - click here
A person who carries out pest inspections (a BSA licence might be required for termite work - refer to Licensing scopes of work). Licences for pest control other than termites are issued by Queensland Health.
A person carrying out asbestos removal - contact Work Place Health & Safety
A person carrying out demolition work - contact Work Place Health & Safety
A person who installs insulation - contact the Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts for information regarding Energy Efficient Homes
A person who is an electrician - for information regarding licensing in this area, contact the Department of Justice and Attorney General
What happens if you work without a licence?
Any evidence of building work being carried out without the appropriate BSA licence may result in the issuing of an infringement notice (SPER) or prosecution. Click here to find out more about unlicensed contracting.
Can the holder of a BSA licence work interstate?
No - A BSA licence only permits the holder to carry out building work in Qld. Each state has different licensing and legislative requirements. If you are interested in working interstate you should visit the Builders Licensing Australasia website at www.bla.net.au to find out more information.
Alternatively - licensing information can be obtained by contacting the relevant State's licensing body.
