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Which QBCC licence class does my builder need?

By BuilderVet team. Last reviewed 2 November 2026.

For a house, garage, shed or pool, a QBCC builder low rise, medium rise or open licence all cover the building work, because each includes class 1 and class 10 buildings. For a smaller specialist job, such as a kitchen or bathroom refit, a restricted licence like “builder restricted to kitchen, bathroom and laundry” may be the right class, as long as the work isn’t structural.

This guide explains the main builder classes, the restricted classes, and the trade licences that sit alongside them, so you can check the class on the licence matches your job. To look a licence up, see how to check if a builder is licensed in QLD.

When does a QLD job need a licence?

The QBCC says individuals and companies must hold a QBCC licence to carry out (contract for) building work that is:

  • valued over $3,300
  • valued over $1,100 where it involves hydraulic services design
  • of any value where it involves drainage, plumbing and drainage, gas fitting, chemical termite management, fire protection, completed residential building inspection, building design, site classification or mechanical services

It also says you must hold a licence of the relevant class for the scope of work, and of the type that fits your role. Some people need more than one class. The QBCC manages over 160 licence classes across 5 licence types.

What do the building classes mean?

The QBCC licence scopes refer to the building classes in the National Construction Code (NCC). The NCC says:

  • Class 1 buildings are houses. Class 1a is a detached house, or one of a group of attached dwellings such as a town house, row house or terrace.
  • Class 10 buildings or structures are non-habitable. Class 10a includes sheds, carports and private garages. Class 10b includes fences, retaining walls, masts, antennas and swimming pools. Class 10c is a private bushfire shelter.
  • Classes 2 to 9 are the other building types covered mostly by NCC Volume One, which the NCC describes as multi-residential, commercial, industrial and public assembly buildings.

A habitable outbuilding, such as a sleepout attached to a house, is generally part of that building, not class 10.

What do low rise, medium rise and open cover?

Licence class Includes Key limits
Builder low rise Class 1 and 10 buildings; classes 2 to 9 up to 2,000 m² gross floor area; non-structural work on any building Not Type A or Type B construction on classes 2 to 9
Builder medium rise Class 1 and 10 buildings; building work to a maximum of 3 storeys; non-structural work on any building Not Type A construction on classes 4 to 9
Builder open Building work on all classes of buildings None of the class or size limits above

All three let the licensee prepare plans and specifications for their own use or for work they perform personally. None of them include a completed building inspection for an interested party, or personally doing work that needs a fire protection licence or an occupational licence (such as plumbing) unless they hold that licence. The QBCC lists a temporary allowance, until 2 May 2030, for these builders to install and maintain some fire-rated items, such as fire collars, as part of their building work.

The Type A and Type B limits only matter for classes 2 to 9. If your job is on an apartment, shop or other class 2 to 9 building, ask the QBCC or your certifier which licence class applies.

What about restricted builder licences?

The QBCC also lists builder classes with a narrower scope:

  • builder restricted to kitchen, bathroom and laundry
  • builder restricted to shopfitting
  • builder restricted to structural landscaping
  • builder restricted to special structures
  • builder project management services

The kitchen, bathroom and laundry class lets the licensee install, refurbish, restore and repair a kitchen, bathroom or laundry on site in class 1 or class 10 buildings, or in classes 2 to 9 if the room is not more than 50 m². It does not include building work that may affect the structural performance of the building. So if your renovation removes a load-bearing wall, a restricted licence alone won’t cover it.

Where do plumbers and other trades fit?

Some trades need their own licence, whatever the builder’s class. The QBCC says you need an occupational licence, regardless of the value of the work, if you are overseeing or undertaking plumbing, drainage, gas fitting, chemical termite management, fire protection or mechanical services work. A builder’s licence doesn’t let the builder personally do that work unless they also hold the occupational licence.

Electrical work is different. The QBCC says it can’t handle complaints about electrical work and refers them to Queensland’s Electrical Safety Office, so contact that office with questions about an electrician.

Checklist: matching the licence to your job

  • Search the licence on the QBCC register and note the exact class names listed
  • Confirm the licence is current, not suspended or cancelled. Our guide to QBCC suspensions and cancellations explains each status
  • For a house, extension, garage, shed or pool, look for builder low rise, medium rise or open
  • For a kitchen, bathroom or laundry only job, a restricted class may do, but not for structural changes
  • Check plumbing, drainage and gas fitting will be done by an occupational licence holder
  • Make sure the licence holder’s name matches the name on your contract
  • Ask about anything you’re unsure of before signing. See questions to ask a QLD builder before signing

Worked example: a $45,000 kitchen and wall removal

Priya in Toowoomba gets a $45,000 quote to refit her kitchen and remove the wall between the kitchen and dining room. The contractor holds a “builder restricted to kitchen, bathroom and laundry” licence.

That class covers the kitchen refit. But if the wall is load-bearing, removing it may affect the building’s structural performance, which the restricted class doesn’t include. Priya asks in writing who will do the structural work and under which licence. She also checks the plumber’s occupational licence for the sink and dishwasher connections. The answers decide whether she needs a builder with a low rise, medium rise or open licence on the contract instead.

How BuilderVet helps

Run the free check on your builder to see what the public registers show. For the full QLD picture, our QLD builder check guide walks through each register. Build Watch is currently for NSW builds only.

Frequently asked questions

Which QBCC licence do I need to build a house?

Builder low rise, medium rise and open all include building work on class 1 buildings, which are houses. The licence also needs to be current and in the name on your contract.

Can a low rise builder build a shed or garage?

Yes. Sheds, carports and private garages are class 10a buildings, and builder low rise covers class 10. For a granny flat or other habitable building, ask your certifier how it is classified.

What is the difference between low rise and medium rise?

Low rise covers classes 2 to 9 up to 2,000 m² gross floor area, without Type A or Type B construction. Medium rise covers building work to a maximum of 3 storeys, without Type A construction on classes 4 to 9.

Can a kitchen and bathroom builder move walls?

The restricted kitchen, bathroom and laundry class doesn’t include building work that may affect the structural performance of the building.

Does my builder’s licence cover the plumbing?

Not by itself. Plumbing, drainage and gas fitting need an occupational licence, whatever the value of the work.

When is a QBCC licence not needed?

Generally for building work valued at $3,300 or less, unless it involves work like plumbing, drainage, gas fitting or termite management, which need a licence at any value. Some specific exemptions also apply.

Sources

Related guides

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Last reviewed 2 Nov 2026