Builders manage and carry out the construction of new homes, extensions, renovations, and structural alterations. In Australia, a licensed builder is both the project manager and the responsible party for ensuring the finished structure meets the National Construction Code, relevant Australian Standards, and local council requirements. They coordinate subcontractors — from concreters and bricklayers to plumbers and electricians — and are accountable for the structural integrity and quality of the entire build. Homeowners typically engage a builder for new home construction, major renovations, extensions, knock-down rebuilds, and structural work such as removing load-bearing walls. Builders must hold Home Warranty Insurance for residential work above state-specific thresholds, giving homeowners recourse if defects appear after completion.

Queensland Building and Construction Commission — Regulatory Overview

Queensland Building and Construction Commission is Queensland's principal regulator for the building and construction industry, responsible for licensing all builders who perform regulated work in the state. The QBCC issues and renews licences, sets minimum requirements for licensees, investigates complaints, and takes disciplinary action against non-compliant operators.

As of February 2026, Queensland Building and Construction Commission oversees 35,393 licensed builders across Queensland, covering 21 licence classes. This represents one of the most comprehensive licensing regimes in Australia, designed to protect consumers and maintain industry standards.

Builder Licence Types in Queensland

Licence Type	Description
Builder — Open	Unrestricted building work including residential and commercial
Builder — Medium Rise	Building work up to 3 storeys
Builder — Low Rise	Building work up to 2 storeys

Requirements to Become a Licensed Builder in Queensland

Certificate IV in Building and Construction (CPC40120) or Diploma
Minimum 4 years industry experience (2 years in supervisory role)
QBCC financial requirements (minimum net tangible assets)
Current public liability insurance (minimum $5 million)
Construction induction card (White Card)

Builder Licence Costs in Queensland

Application Fee

$1,100–$2,200 depending on licence class

Renewal Fee

$1,100–$2,200 annually

Renewal Period

1 year

Penalties for Unlicensed Work

Unlicensed building work in QLD carries fines up to $46,575 for individuals. QBCC can also issue stop-work orders, direction to fix notices, and suspend or cancel licences.

Exemptions — Builder Work You Can Do Without a Licence

Minor maintenance and repairs not involving structural work
Painting (unless part of a larger project over $3,300)
Garden landscaping not involving retaining walls or structures
Owner-builder work on your own home (with Owner Builder permit for work over $11,000)

How to Verify a Builder in Queensland

Verifying a builder's licence in Queensland is straightforward and should be done before engaging any tradesperson for work. You can use TradieVerify's free search tool to instantly look up any Queenslandbuilder by name, licence number, or business name. Alternatively, you can search directly through Queensland Building and Construction Commission at https://www.qbcc.qld.gov.au.

When verifying, confirm: (1) the licence is current and active, (2) the licence class covers the type of work you need, (3) there are no conditions or restrictions on their licence, and (4) there is no disciplinary history. A legitimate builder will have no hesitation providing their licence number for verification.

How to Hire a Builder in Queensland

1
Verify their Home Warranty Insurance is current
For residential building work above the state threshold (e.g. $20,000 in NSW, $16,000 in VIC), the builder must hold Home Warranty Insurance (also called Home Building Compensation in NSW). Ask for the certificate before signing — it protects you if the builder dies, disappears, or becomes insolvent before defects are rectified.
2
Ask to see their QBCC or equivalent financial standing
In Queensland and several other states, builders must meet minimum net tangible asset requirements. A builder who has recently had financial conditions placed on their licence may be at risk of insolvency. Check the public register for any conditions, sanctions, or disciplinary actions.
3
Request a detailed scope of works, not just a lump-sum price
A one-line quote of "$350,000 for your renovation" tells you nothing. Insist on a fully itemised scope of works that lists each trade, materials, allowances, PC (prime cost) items, and provisional sums so you can compare quotes fairly and avoid surprise variations.
4
Confirm how they handle variations and cost overruns
Variations are the number-one source of building disputes in Australia. Ask how changes are documented and priced, whether there is a margin applied to variations, and ensure the contract requires written approval before any variation work commences.
5
Check their licence class matches the scale of your project
Builder licences are tiered by project scale — for example, QBCC offers Low Rise (up to 2 storeys), Medium Rise (up to 3 storeys), and Open (unrestricted). A builder licensed only for Low Rise cannot legally construct a three-storey townhouse. Verify the licence class on the relevant state register.

Red Flags When Hiring a Builder

No Home Warranty Insurance certificate for work over the threshold:Builders are legally required to provide Home Warranty Insurance before starting residential work above the state threshold. If a builder says insurance "isn't needed" or asks you to split the contract to stay under the threshold, walk away — this is a serious red flag and may indicate they cannot obtain insurance.
Demands large upfront deposits beyond the legal limit:Most states cap the deposit a builder can request — for example, 5% in Victoria and 10% in NSW for contracts over $20,000. A builder requesting 30–50% upfront may have cash flow problems and could be using your deposit to fund other projects.
Reluctant to put the scope of works in writing:For residential building work above the relevant threshold, a written contract is a legal requirement in every state. A builder who resists putting the full scope, timeline, and payment schedule in writing is exposing you to variations, disputes, and limited legal recourse.
Multiple current disciplinary actions on the public register:Check the state licensing register (e.g. QBCC, NSW Fair Trading, VBA) for any directions to rectify, licence conditions, or complaint history. One resolved complaint is normal; multiple open actions suggest systemic quality or conduct issues.

Typical Builder Costs in Queensland

Hourly Rate

$70 – $120

Callout Fee

$80 – $150

Common Builder Jobs & Estimated Costs

Job	Estimated Cost
Deck construction (20-30sqm)	$5,000 – $15,000
Bathroom renovation	$15,000 – $35,000
Kitchen renovation	$20,000 – $50,000
Granny flat construction	$80,000 – $150,000
Carport or pergola build	$5,000 – $12,000

Builder Complaints & Disputes in Queensland

Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC)

139 333 Website

How to Lodge a Complaint

1Write to the tradesperson detailing the issue and requesting rectification within a reasonable timeframe (usually 14 days)
2If unresolved, lodge a complaint online via the QBCC website or call 139 333
3QBCC will assess the complaint and may arrange an inspection
4If the complaint is substantiated, QBCC can issue a direction to rectify the work
5If the tradesperson fails to comply, QBCC may take disciplinary action or use its insurance fund to cover rectification

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a builder and a building contractor?

In most states, the terms are interchangeable for licensing purposes. A "builder" typically refers to someone who constructs or renovates buildings, while a "building contractor" holds the licence that allows them to contract for building work and engage subcontractors. Some states distinguish between a general contractor (whole-of-build) and a specialist or trade contractor (single trade like carpentry or tiling).

What does Home Warranty Insurance actually cover?

Home Warranty Insurance (known as Home Building Compensation in NSW) covers homeowners if the builder cannot complete the work or fix defects due to death, disappearance, or insolvency. It typically covers structural defects for 6 years and non-structural defects for 2 years after completion. It does not cover disputes about quality while the builder is still trading — that is handled through the building tribunal or commission.

How much does it cost to build a house per square metre in Australia?

As a rough guide, expect $1,800–$2,500 per square metre for a standard project home, $2,500–$3,500 for a custom design, and $3,500 or more for architecturally designed or high-specification builds. Costs vary significantly by state, site conditions, finishes, and market demand. Always get at least three detailed quotes for your specific plans and site.

What licence types are available for builders in Queensland?

Queensland offers 3 licence types for builders: Builder — Open, Builder — Medium Rise, Builder — Low Rise. Each licence class authorises different scopes of work, so check that your builder's licence covers the specific work you need.

How much does a builder licence cost in Queensland?

The application fee for a builder licence in Queensland is $1,100–$2,200 depending on licence class. Renewal costs $1,100–$2,200 annually and must be renewed every 1 year.

What builder work can I do without a licence in Queensland?

In Queensland, some minor builder tasks are exempt from licensing requirements: Minor maintenance and repairs not involving structural work; Painting (unless part of a larger project over $3,300); Garden landscaping not involving retaining walls or structures. Any work beyond these exemptions must be done by a licensed builder.

How many licensed builders are there in Queensland?

As of February 2026, there are 35,393 licensed builders registered with Queensland Building and Construction Commission in Queensland. This includes all licence classes: Builder - Low Rise, Builder - Open, Builder - Medium Rise, Sheds, Carports and Garages.

How do I verify a builder's licence in Queensland?

You can verify any Queensland builder's licence using TradieVerify's free search tool or directly through Queensland Building and Construction Commission at https://www.qbcc.qld.gov.au. Enter the builder's name or licence number to confirm their registration status, licence class, and any disciplinary history.

Licensed Builders in Queensland

Find Builders by City

QueenslandBuilder Statistics

Breakdown by Licence Class

Breakdown by Financial Category

Builder Licensing in Queensland