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QLD home warranty insurance: how to check your builder paid it

Short answer

Most residential building work in Queensland valued at more than $3,300 (including materials, labour and GST) must have cover under the Queensland Home Warranty Scheme. Your contractor takes it out on your behalf and pays the premium to QBCC before work starts. QBCC then emails you a Notice of Cover. If you do not get it, ask the contractor before you pay more.

Home warranty cover is your safety net if the builder does not finish or does not fix defects. In Queensland, QBCC runs the scheme.

When it is required

Most residential building work in Queensland valued at more than $3,300 (including materials, labour and GST) must have cover under the Queensland Home Warranty Scheme. This includes new homes, renovations, extensions and repairs to a residential building. It also includes kitchen and bathroom refits, decks, roof repairs and new swimming pools, when the project costs more than $3,300.

You cannot take out home warranty insurance for:

  • projects costing less than $3,300;
  • commercial building work;
  • work done by unlicensed contractors;
  • owner-builder projects;
  • multiple-unit dwellings more than 3 storeys above a car park.

Check your project on the QBCC page on what work requires insurance.

Who pays, and when

Your contractor takes out the cover on your behalf. The contractor collects the premium from you and pays it to QBCC. The premium is part of your contract price. It must be paid before work starts, or within 10 business days of signing the contract, whichever is earlier. Once the premium is paid, QBCC issues a Notice of Cover.

How to confirm cover for your job

  1. Check each quote. QBCC says the premium must be included in each quote for work over $3,300. Compare quotes on that basis.
  2. Check the contract. For work over $3,300, the contract must include the home warranty premium.
  3. Look for the Notice of Cover. QBCC sends it to the email address you nominate. If you do not get it, ask your contractor if they paid the premium.
  4. Do not pay ahead. Paying more than the lawful deposit, or paying ahead of the contract schedule, can reduce what the scheme pays.

QBCC also runs an insurance search on a property. Only the owner, a buyer or their agent can request it. The search is free if you own the home. Otherwise the fee is $54.84.

What it covers, and its limits

The scheme covers you if the contractor does not, or cannot, finish the work, or does not fix defects. It also covers subsidence or settlement.

  • The maximum is $200,000 for each category of loss.
  • Optional additional cover raises it to $300,000.
  • Cover lasts 6 years and 6 months.
  • It stays with the property if you sell.
  • Fixed-price contracts are covered for non-completion and defects.
  • Cost-plus contracts are covered for defects only.

What BuilderVet shows

BuilderVet does not show home warranty policies. It shows QBCC licence facts and QBCC suspensions and cancellations free. Check the licence first, then get the Notice of Cover. Start at the builder directory or read how to check a QLD builder. Build Watch covers NSW builders only.

Sources checked 20 Oct 2026.

Sources

Related questions

When is home warranty insurance required in Queensland?
Most residential building work in Queensland valued at more than $3,300, including materials, labour and GST, must have cover under the Queensland Home Warranty Scheme. Some work is not insurable, such as owner-builder work, commercial work and work by unlicensed contractors.
Who pays the premium, and when?
The contractor collects the premium from you as part of the contract price and pays it to QBCC. It must be paid before work starts, or within 10 business days of signing the contract, whichever is earlier.
How much does the scheme cover?
Up to $200,000 for each category of loss. Optional additional cover raises this to $300,000. Limits and exclusions apply.
Can I search a builder's home warranty policies on BuilderVet?
No. BuilderVet shows QBCC licence facts and QBCC suspensions and cancellations. Ask your contractor for the QBCC Notice of Cover for your job.

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