Permits and licensing · Queensland
Renovation permits and contractor licences in Queensland
In Queensland the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) licenses the people who contract for building work, and a building development approval is needed before construction starts on most domestic work. A licence is required above a value threshold, and for listed occupational work — plumbing, drainage, gas fitting and others — at any value.
Regulators and licensing bodies in Queensland
These official bodies license contractors, oversee safety or issue permits in Queensland.
Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC)
Licenses the individuals and companies that contract for building work in Queensland, and publishes a public licensee register. Building certifiers must also hold a QBCC licence.
Your local government, or a private building certifier
Grants the building development approval. Business Queensland states you can get a building approval from your local government or a building certifier, and that certifiers check compliance with the Building Act 1975 but must not design the building or carry out any of the work.
Trades that need a licence in Queensland
General contracting and renovation
QBCC states that individuals and companies must hold a licence to carry out — that is, to contract for — building work above a value threshold it sets. In most cases you do not need your own licence if you are doing the work as an employee of a licensed contractor. Ask for the licence number and check it on the QBCC register.
Plumbing
Some work needs an occupational licence no matter what it costs. QBCC lists drainage, plumbing and drainage, gas fitting, chemical termite management, fire protection, completed residential building inspection, building design, site classification and mechanical services as licensable at any value.
General contracting and renovation
The National Construction Code sets the technical provisions for designing and constructing buildings and plumbing and drainage systems, but it has no force of its own: the ABCB states that the NCC is given legal effect through state and territory building and plumbing legislation, and that adoption dates are set by each state's administration. Requirements can apply at different times, or not at all, because of state variations — and the ABCB notes that gasfitting and electrical work are not covered by the NCC at all.
Sources:ABCB – About the National Construction Code(opens in a new tab)ABCB – NCC 2025 state and territory adoption information(opens in a new tab)ABCB – Information for homeowners(opens in a new tab)
Building and renovation permits in Queensland
A building development approval — also called a building permit — is needed before construction can start on most types of domestic building work. You can get it from your local government or from a private building certifier. The certifier's job is to check that all aspects of the building work comply with the Building Act 1975; they can also advise whether an approval is needed at all, since some minor work is accepted development. A certifier must not design the building or carry out any of the work, so the person approving your job cannot also be the person building it.
Sources:Business Queensland – Building approvals and inspections(opens in a new tab)Business Queensland – Building certifiers(opens in a new tab)
Before you hire a contractor in Queensland
Practical checks you can do yourself, using official tools where they exist.
Ask for the contractor's QBCC licence number and check it on the QBCC licensee register before you sign anything.
Official lookup: QBCC – Licensee register(opens in a new tab)
Check whether your job is above the value threshold that makes a licence compulsory, or is occupational work that needs one at any value.
Official lookup: QBCC – When you need a licence(opens in a new tab)
Confirm who is obtaining the building development approval — your local government or a private certifier — before work starts.
Official lookup: Business Queensland – Building approvals and inspections(opens in a new tab)
Remember the certifier cannot design or build the job they are approving; if the same business offers both, ask how that is separated.
Official lookup: Business Queensland – Building certifiers(opens in a new tab)
Sources for renovation permits and licences in Queensland
Every fact on this page comes from these official sources.
- QBCC – When you need a licence(opens in a new tab)
- Business Queensland – Building certifiers(opens in a new tab)
- Business Queensland – Building approvals and inspections(opens in a new tab)
- ABCB – About the National Construction Code(opens in a new tab)
- ABCB – NCC 2025 state and territory adoption information(opens in a new tab)
- ABCB – Information for homeowners(opens in a new tab)
Find licensed pros
Compare local pros for the regulated trades in this guide, then confirm their licence with the regulator before you hire.
Renovation permits in other states and territories
Planning a renovation?
Describe your project once and hear from local pros. Ask each one for their licence and permit details before you hire.