Contracting as an individual
Check the individual Contractor type. Review the class-specific technical, experience, managerial and financial requirements, and ensure the licence covers the intended work.
QUEENSLAND · BUILDING & TRADE LICENCES
Requirements review, application preparation and follow-up
Easy Licence provides QBCC licence application support for customers planning building or trade work in Queensland. We help check work scope, licence class and type, organise qualifications, experience and application documents, and follow up within the agreed scope.
- Identify the relevant licence
We review the work you intend to undertake and help check the applicable licence class and licence type.
- Review qualifications and experience
We review qualifications, work history and other applicable document requirements for that class, then identify what is available and what still needs to be supplied.
- Support through the application
Within the agreed written scope, get help organising documents, preparing the application and tracking further-information requests and next steps.
Understand the work scope and licence requirements before you apply.
Assessment and application requirements
Qualification assessment, TRA skills assessment and licensing are separate processes. Eligibility depends on the trade, licence class, qualifications and experience. Service scope is agreed in writing. QBCC independently decides licence outcomes.
APPLICANT AND LICENCE TYPE
Applying as an individual or a company?
The licence class defines the work scope. The licence type defines your role in carrying it out.
Contracting through a company
The company needs its own Contractor licence and an eligible nominee. A director’s or employee’s personal licence does not license the company.
Supervising as an employee
Check the Site supervisor type and your employer’s licensed scope. This type permits employed supervision; it does not authorise you to contract personally.
What does a company nominee need?
The nominee must be a company director, secretary or employee with an individual Contractor or Nominee supervisor licence in the same class as the company licence, and must fulfil the supervision role. A Site supervisor licence alone does not meet this requirement. Check the company records, the nominee’s licence class and their relationship to the company.
Low Rise, Medium Rise and Open: what differs?
Use this overview of the main Builder classes to identify the requirements relevant to your intended projects.
Builder — Low Rise
Includes Class 1 and 10 buildings. Class 2–9 work is limited to a gross floor area of 2,000 m² and excludes Type A and B construction.
Check the building classification, area, construction type and work involved; the name alone does not establish eligibility.
Builder — Medium Rise
Includes Class 1 and 10 buildings and building work up to three storeys, excluding Type A construction on Class 4–9 buildings.
Not every three-storey project is covered. Check the construction type and the class-specific qualifications and experience.
Builder — Open
Covers all building classifications, subject to specific exclusions and the relevant technical qualification and experience requirements.
Open does not permit every regulated trade task. Work requiring another occupational licence still requires that licence.
Low Rise and Medium Rise also contain provisions for non-structural work. Each class has fire protection, occupational licensing and other limits. Check the full QBCC scope requirements. Trade classes such as carpentry and restricted Builder classes require a separate check.
Know what to prepare
Define the work before preparing a Queensland licence application
For people planning building-related work in Brisbane or Queensland who need to check whether existing qualifications match a licence. Clarify whether you intend to contract personally, contract through a company or supervise as an employee. Licence class and licence type are separate choices.
What should I prepare for the first conversation?
Prepare the work you intend to undertake, qualifications and course codes, a project timeline, your responsibilities, existing licences and a business structure summary. Start with a document list; provide identity and financial records only after confirming the recipient and formal requirements.
A typical preparation process and its checkpoints
This is a sequence for organising needs and documents. The receiving authority sets the actual application process.
Define the work
Replace broad labels such as renovation or construction with the actual work you intend to contract or supervise.
Checkpoint: Check the permitted scope on the relevant QBCC class page.
Check eligibility
Check technical qualifications, experience and any applicable managerial and financial requirements for the class and type.
Checkpoint: If your qualification does not match, clarify the next step before choosing another course.
Prepare the application
Organise project evidence, referees and applicant details against the relevant checklist.
Checkpoint: Resolve unverifiable experience or incomplete evidence before submitting.
Follow the outcome
Keep submission records, respond to information requests and check any approved scope and conditions.
Checkpoint: Rely on QBCC’s formal decision; submission is not approval.
What should I check in my evidence?
Match project experience to the intended licence scope and distinguish hands-on work from management and supervision. Check qualification titles, course codes, applicant details and referee information. Record any unresolved eligibility or experience questions and check the official guidance for the relevant class.
Who makes the final decision?
Training providers assess relevant qualifications; QBCC decides licence applications. A qualification is only part of the application evidence. Check other requirements against the intended licence class and type.
Questions from everyday situations
Can I contract for work in Queensland as soon as I hold a building qualification?
You still need to check the work scope, licensing requirements and your licence status. A qualification and a licence are not interchangeable.
Does my individual licence automatically allow my company to contract?
Do not assume this. Check individual and company applicants, licence types and supervision arrangements separately.