How to Check a Licence in Queensland

A practical guide to verifying a builder, certifier or contractor's credentials before engaging them for a Queenslander renovation.

Never assume a contractor is licensed. Always verify directly: before you sign a contract and before they start work.

The QBCC licence register

The Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) maintains a public register of licensed contractors, builders, certifiers and other building industry professionals. You can search by name, company name or licence number.

Search the QBCC licence register ↗

What to check

Licence status

Confirm the licence is current and not suspended, cancelled or subject to conditions. A lapsed licence means the contractor cannot legally carry out licensed work.

Licence category

Make sure the licence category matches the work: a builder's licence is different from an electrical contractor licence, which is different again from a building certifier's licence.

Licence holder name vs trading name

The licensed party is the individual or company on the QBCC register. If they trade under a different name, confirm the relationship between the trading name and the licensed entity.

Public liability insurance

Ask for a current certificate of currency for public liability insurance. The minimum in Queensland is $500,000, but $5 million or more is typical for building contractors.

Professional indemnity insurance

For engineers, certifiers and designers, confirm they hold current professional indemnity insurance. Ask for a certificate of currency.

Other checks to consider

  • Ask for references from recent similar projects: and call them
  • Check ABN status on the ABN Lookup website (abr.business.gov.au)
  • Search for QBCC complaint history if you have concerns: some complaint information is publicly accessible
  • For large contracts, consider having a solicitor review the contract
  • For building certifiers, confirm they are registered with the Queensland Building and Construction Commission as a private certifier
  • For structural engineers, confirm they are a registered professional engineer in Queensland (RPEQ)

This guide is general information only

Licensing and insurance requirements change. This guide reflects publicly available information and is not professional legal or compliance advice. For advice specific to your project, consult a solicitor or contact the relevant regulatory body directly.