Geoffrey Campbell Brown — Licensed Scaffolder (Queensland)
Licence Details
| Licence Number | 15536813 |
|---|---|
| Licence Class | Structural Metal Fabrication and Erection |
| Status | Active |
| Financial Category | No Financials Required |
| Source | QBCC |
This data is sourced from public government registers and may not reflect real-time changes. Always confirm licence details with Queensland Building and Construction Commission directly. Full disclaimer.
What a Scaffolder Licence Means in Queensland
Scaffolders erect, alter, and dismantle temporary scaffolding structures that provide safe working platforms for construction, maintenance, and renovation projects across Australia. Scaffolding is essential for any work at height — from painting a two-storey house to cladding a high-rise building. In Australia, scaffolding work is classified as high-risk construction work, and scaffolders must hold a High Risk Work Licence (HRWL) issued by their state WHS regulator. The HRWL is divided into three classes: Basic Scaffolding (SB) for modular or prefabricated scaffolding up to a specified height, Intermediate Scaffolding (SI) for scaffolding from which a person could fall more than 4 metres, and Advanced Scaffolding (SA) for all scaffolding including cantilevered, suspended, and hung scaffolding. Homeowners and builders typically engage a scaffolder for house painting, rendering, roof repairs, gutter replacement, window installation, and multi-storey renovations.
Hiring a licensed scaffolder means you are protected by the state's regulatory framework. Licensed tradespersons must comply with industry standards, maintain appropriate insurance, and can be held accountable through the licensing body's complaint and disciplinary processes.
The No Financials Required financial category assigned to this licence determines the maximum value of work the licensee can have under contract at any one time. This category is set by Queensland Building and Construction Commission based on the licensee's assessed financial capacity.
Hiring a Licensed Scaffolder in QLD
Before hiring any scaffolder in Queensland, use this five-point checklist to protect yourself and ensure you're working with a properly licensed and insured professional.
- Verify their High Risk Work Licence (HRWL) class matches the job — Scaffolders must hold the correct HRWL class for the complexity of the scaffold. A Basic Scaffolding (SB) licence only covers modular/prefabricated scaffolding. Intermediate Scaffolding (SI) covers scaffolding where a fall of more than 4 metres is possible. Advanced Scaffolding (SA) covers cantilever, suspended, and all complex configurations. Ask to see the licence and check the class designation matches the type of scaffold your project requires.
- Confirm the scaffold will be designed or certified by a competent person — Under the model WHS Code of Practice for Scaffolding, scaffolds over a certain height or complexity must be designed by a competent person, and may require engineering design by a qualified engineer. After erection, the scaffold must be inspected and tagged by a competent person before use. Ask who will inspect and tag the scaffold, and request a copy of the scaffold inspection tag.
- Ask about scaffold handover documentation — A professional scaffolder should provide a handover certificate confirming the scaffold is erected to the design specifications, has been inspected, and is safe for use. The certificate should state the maximum loading capacity, the intended use (e.g. access scaffold, support scaffold), and any restrictions. This document is your evidence of compliance if there is an incident.
- Check the hire period and weekly rental rate upfront — Scaffolding is typically quoted as an erection fee plus a weekly hire rate plus a dismantle fee. If the project using the scaffold runs over schedule, the weekly hire costs accumulate. Confirm the weekly rate and negotiate the erection and dismantle fees as part of a total package. Some scaffolders offer a fixed hire period (e.g. 8 weeks) within the erection fee.
- Ensure the quote includes edge protection and safe access — The scaffold must include guardrails, mid-rails, toe boards, and safe access (ladders or stair towers) to every working platform. Some scaffolders quote a basic frame price and charge extras for edge protection and access — which are not optional, they are WHS requirements. Confirm the quote includes all safety components required for compliant scaffold.
Red Flags to Watch For
- Cannot produce a valid High Risk Work Licence — Erecting scaffolding without a valid HRWL is illegal under WHS legislation. If the scaffolding crew cannot produce valid HRWL cards for the correct class (SB, SI, or SA), the work is non-compliant. As the person commissioning the work, you may share liability for WHS breaches on your property.
- Does not inspect or tag the scaffold after erection — A scaffold must be inspected by a competent person and tagged as safe before anyone works from it. If the scaffolder erects the frame and leaves without an inspection tag, the scaffold is not certified for use. Any tradesperson who works from an untagged scaffold is at risk, and you as the property owner may be liable.
- Omits guardrails, toe boards, or safe access from the quote — These are not optional extras — they are mandatory safety components under the WHS Code of Practice. A scaffolder who quotes a bare frame without guardrails, mid-rails, toe boards, and ladder/stair access is either cutting costs on safety or planning to charge you extra for legally required components.
Typical Scaffolder Costs in Queensland
| Hourly Rate | $65 – $110 |
|---|---|
| Callout Fee | $100 – $200 |
| Residential scaffolding hire (per week) | $500 – $1500 |
| Two-storey house scaffold (per week) | $1000 – $3000 |
| Scaffold for chimney repair | $400 – $1000 |
Your Rights — Complaints & Disputes in Queensland
Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC)
How to Lodge a Complaint
- 1 Write to the tradesperson detailing the issue and requesting rectification within a reasonable timeframe (usually 14 days)
- 2 If unresolved, lodge a complaint online via the QBCC website or call 139 333
- 3 QBCC will assess the complaint and may arrange an inspection