Does my tradie need a QBCC licence in Queensland?
Researched by the LokalMatch editorial team1 answer
The quote for our carport is just over four thousand dollars and the builder has not given me a licence number.
Answers (1)
LokalMatch EditorialLokalMatch editorial
Over 3,300 dollars, yes. Building work above that value requires a licence from the Queensland Building and Construction Commission, and a carport at four thousand is over the line.
Some work needs a licence at any value at all. That list includes drainage, plumbing and drainage, gas fitting, chemical termite management, fire protection, completed residential building inspections, low-rise, medium-rise and open building design, site classification, and mechanical services. There is no small-job exemption for any of them.
A handyperson can work without a QBCC licence, but only where the value is no more than 3,300 dollars, the work is not electrical or plumbing, and it does not need an occupational licence.
So ask for the number and look it up. The same threshold also decides whether the job has to carry home warranty insurance, which means a contractor who cannot produce a licence number usually cannot produce the insurance either.
Answers come from pros and are reviewed by LokalMatch before they’re published. They’re general information — for regulated or safety-critical work, have a licensed professional assess your situation.
Sources
Where the facts on this page come from.
When you need a licence — Queensland Building and Construction Commission (accessed 24 September 2026)