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How to check if a builder is licensed in QLD (QBCC register)

Short answer

Search the builder's name or licence number on the free QBCC licensee register. Confirm the licence class covers your work, and that the licence holder is the person or company on your quote. In Queensland, building work valued over $3,300 needs a QBCC licence. BuilderVet shows the QBCC licence, its classes and QBCC suspensions and cancellations free, with dates.

A licence check takes five minutes. Do it before you sign or pay.

Checking more than the licence? How to check a QLD builder.

1. Find the official register

Queensland licences are on the QBCC licensee register. It is free. Search by licence number or name. QBCC says the register gives a complete licence history.

2. Know when a licence is needed

In Queensland, individuals and companies must hold a QBCC licence for building work valued over $3,300. Some work needs a licence at any value. This includes plumbing, drainage, gas fitting, termite management (chemical) and fire protection.

3. Match the licence class to your job

Each QBCC licence has one or more classes. The class must cover the work you want done. For house builders there are three builder classes: Builder Open, Builder Medium Rise and Builder Low Rise. A trade class, such as carpentry or tiling, does not cover a full home build.

4. Check the licence type

QBCC issues four licence types: contractor, nominee supervisor, site supervisor and occupational. Only a contractor licence lets a company or an individual contract directly with a property owner. Nominee supervisors, site supervisors and occupational licensees cannot personally enter into contracts with you.

5. Match the name to who you contract with

The entity you sign with must hold the contractor licence. QBCC says a licensed contractor’s ads must show the contractor name, matching the name on the licence, and the QBCC licence number. An ad with no licence number is a warning sign. If you cannot find the builder on the register, phone QBCC on 139 333.

What “On the QBCC register” means

QBCC publishes a register file of licensed contractors on data.qld.gov.au. QBCC says it holds all licences that are not cancelled, including both active and suspended licences. So a licence in the file is not proof that it is active today. That is why BuilderVet shows a QLD licence as “On the QBCC register as of” the file date, never “Current”. For today’s status, QBCC says to use its licence search.

What BuilderVet shows

BuilderVet shows QLD builders free:

  • the QBCC licence, its classes and the date of the register file we read;
  • QBCC suspensions and cancellations since 1 July 2026, with dates;
  • ASIC and ABN records where we can link them.

QLD records refresh weekly from the QBCC register file. Build Watch covers NSW builders only.

Sources checked 20 Oct 2026.

Sources

Related questions

When does a Queensland builder need a QBCC licence?
Individuals and companies must hold a QBCC licence to carry out building work valued over $3,300. Some work needs a licence at any value, for example plumbing, drainage, gas fitting and fire protection.
What does "On the QBCC register" mean on BuilderVet?
It means the licence was in the QBCC register file on that date. QBCC says the file holds all licences that are not cancelled, both active and suspended. Check the licence on the QBCC licensee register on the day you sign.
What if I cannot find the builder on the register?
QBCC says all licensed contractors in Queensland are on the licensee register. If you cannot find them, there is a chance they are not licensed. Phone QBCC on 139 333 to confirm.

Put the records beside your quote

Search the exact business on your quote. Read the source dates and gaps before you decide.

Find your builder See a QLD sample report

Updated 20 Oct 2026