Owner-Builder Licence in Queensland

If you’re planning to manage your own construction project in Queensland, you’ll need an owner-builder permit from the QBCC (Queensland Building and Construction Commission). Here’s what the process actually looks like.

Process current as at 2026. Council processing times, certifier availability and QBCC requirements may have changed since this article was last reviewed. Confirm current requirements directly with QBCC before relying on any process detail. Where the article describes “what we did”, that experience is from our Coorparoo project.

Queensland Owner-Builder Context

This page is written from the perspective of a real Queensland owner-builder project. Always confirm current requirements directly with QBCC, your private certifier and Brisbane City Council before relying on any process detail.

What an owner-builder licence lets you do

An owner-builder permit allows you to take on the role of the builder for construction work on your own property: managing licensed trades, coordinating inspections and taking legal responsibility for the build.

You cannot use an owner-builder permit to build for someone else or to build on a property you don’t intend to occupy. There are also limits on how often you can use it: you can only apply for one permit every six years per property.

Eligibility requirements

To apply for a Queensland owner-builder permit you need to:

Own the land or have an interest in the property (e.g. be under contract to purchase)
Intend to occupy the completed building as your principal place of residence
Not have had a previous owner-builder permit on the same land in the past six years
Complete the QBCC-approved owner-builder education course

The education course

Before you can apply, you must complete an approved owner-builder education course. As at 2026, there are several registered training organisations (RTOs) delivering this course in Queensland. It can be done online.

The course covers:

Your legal obligations as an owner-builder
Contract administration with trades
Workplace health and safety
The building approval and inspection process
Defects and rectification

Expect to spend 6-12 hours on the course depending on your prior experience. The assessment is straightforward if you’ve done any reading about construction.

The application

Once you have your course completion certificate, you apply to the QBCC through their online portal. You’ll need:

Proof of land ownership or interest (title search or contract of sale)
Your course completion certificate
Details of the proposed works (description, estimated value)
The application fee (check the QBCC website for current fees: it’s in the hundreds of dollars)

The QBCC will assess your application and issue the permit, typically within a few weeks. The permit is property-specific and describes the scope of works you’re permitted to manage.

What the licence doesn’t cover

The owner-builder permit lets you manage the build. It does not let you personally carry out licensed trade work. In Queensland, electrical, plumbing, gas fitting and other licensed work must still be done by licensed contractors.

You will also need a separate building approval (development approval and/or building permit) from your local council or a private certifier.

Selling within six years

If you sell a property built or substantially renovated under an owner-builder permit within six years of the work being completed, you are required to provide the buyer with a building inspection report and warranty insurance (if applicable) from a licensed insurer.

This is an important consideration if you’re building as an investment rather than a forever home.

Our experience

The application process was straightforward. We completed the online course over a couple of evenings, submitted the application with our title search and course certificate and had the permit within about three weeks.

The most valuable part of the process wasn’t the licence itself: it was the reading around it. Understanding your obligations as an owner-builder before you start saves a lot of pain later.

Where to get current information

The QBCC website is the authoritative source: qbcc.qld.gov.au. Processes and fees change, so always check there rather than relying on what someone told you in a forum three years ago.

QBCC owner-builder permit: common questions

Based on Queensland requirements as of 2026. Always confirm current rules with QBCC directly.

Do I need a licence to be an owner-builder in Queensland?

Yes. You need an owner-builder permit from the QBCC (Queensland Building and Construction Commission). You must complete an approved education course and meet eligibility requirements before applying. There is no exemption for small projects: if you're managing a Queenslander raise and build-under, you need the permit.

How long does it take to get an owner-builder permit in Queensland?

Allow 4-6 weeks in total. The QBCC-approved education course takes 6-12 hours online. Once you submit your application with your course certificate and title documents, QBCC typically processes it within a few weeks. We received our permit about three weeks after submission.

What are the eligibility requirements for a Queensland owner-builder permit?

You must own or have an interest in the property (such as being under contract to purchase), intend to occupy the completed building as your principal place of residence and not have held a permit on the same property in the last six years. You must also complete the QBCC-approved owner-builder education course.

Can I do the QBCC owner-builder education course online?

Yes. As at 2026, multiple registered training organisations (RTOs) offer the course online. It covers your legal obligations as an owner-builder, contract administration, workplace health and safety, the approval and inspection process and defect rectification. Expect 6-12 hours to complete it.

Does an owner-builder permit let me do the electrical and plumbing myself?

No. The owner-builder permit lets you manage the construction project: coordinating licensed trades, overseeing inspections and taking legal responsibility for the build. It does not allow you to personally perform licensed trade work. Electrical, plumbing, gas fitting and other licensed work must still be done by licensed contractors.

What happens if I sell a Queensland owner-builder property within six years?

If you sell within six years of completing work under an owner-builder permit, you must provide the buyer with a building inspection report from a licensed building inspector. Warranty insurance may also be required depending on the value and nature of the works. This is an important consideration if you're building as an investment.