Figures checked 1 October 2026: the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) says a company ordinarily needs its own licence when it carries out or contracts for building work valued over $3,300, including labour and materials, unless an exemption applies. The QBCC’s When you need a licence guidance sets a threshold over $1,100 for Hydraulic Services Design and requires a licence for specified work regardless of value; employing a QBCC-licensed individual or using a licensed director’s number on contracts does not satisfy the company’s obligation.
Why does the company need its own licence?
A company is a separate legal entity. The QBCC explains that, under the Corporations Law, it has the separate legal capacity of a natural person and can enter contracts in its own right. Companies are registered with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission and allocated a unique Australian Company Number.
That legal separation matters because the company is the entity carrying out or contracting for the work. The QBCC therefore says that a company entering into contracts to carry out building work must hold a licence, subject to the applicable rules and exemptions. Its registration, directors or employees do not automatically give the company a QBCC licence.
Does a licensed employee or director cover the company?
No. The QBCC expressly states that neither arrangement is sufficient to meet the company’s licensing obligation.
| Company arrangement | QBCC position |
|---|---|
| The company employs a QBCC-licensed individual | The individual’s licence does not replace the company’s licence |
| A director is licensed and their licence number appears on the company’s contracts | Using the director’s number is not sufficient |
| The company holds its own QBCC licence | The company may satisfy the ordinary licensing requirement, subject to the relevant scope and any exemption |
The licence class also needs to match the work. QBCC guidance says a person’s licence must cover the scope they intend to undertake or oversee and suit their industry role and responsibilities. More than one licence class may be needed to cover the full scope.
Which work requires a QBCC licence?
The general $3,300 threshold is not the only test. QBCC identifies the following rules:
| Type of work | Licensing threshold stated by the QBCC |
|---|---|
| General building work carried out or contracted for | Over $3,300 |
| Hydraulic Services Design | Over $1,100 |
| Specified work listed below | Regardless of value |
The QBCC says the licensing requirement applies regardless of value to:
- drainage;
- plumbing and drainage;
- gas fitting;
- chemical termite management;
- fire protection;
- completed residential building inspection;
- building design in the low-rise, medium-rise and open-site classifications; and
- mechanical services.
A company should therefore identify the actual scope of work before relying only on the general value threshold.
What exemptions could change the answer?
An exemption may apply, but it must match the company’s particular work and circumstances. The QBCC identifies several possible sources:
- Schedule 1 of the QBCC Regulation: The QBCC refers to 53 exemptions for specified work that is not defined as building work and therefore does not require a contractor’s licence.
- Schedule 1A of the QBCC Act: Situation-specific exemptions include public-private partnerships, partnerships generally, prescribed government projects, landscape gardeners’ design work, owner-builders and consumers.
- Work on an owner’s own property: The QBCC’s no-licence list includes work valued at no more than $11,000.
- Owner-builder work: The list includes an owner-builder carrying out building work under a permit.
- Handyman work: A handyman does not need a QBCC licence when the work is valued at no more than $3,300, is not electrical or plumbing work, and does not require an occupational licence.
These role- and situation-specific examples should not be assumed to transfer automatically to a company. QBCC also says subcontractor requirements vary according to the type of work and the contracting arrangements.
Other possible circumstances can be checked in Section 5 of the Queensland Building and Construction Commission Regulation 2018 and Section 42 of the Queensland Building and Construction Commission Act 1991. If the position remains unclear, the QBCC advises contacting it for assistance with the individual circumstances.
What should a company check before contracting?
- The contracting entity: Confirm whether the company, a trustee, a partnership or another party is carrying out or contracting for the work.
- The scope and value: For the general company threshold, assess whether the work exceeds $3,300, including labour and materials.
- Special work rules: Check whether Hydraulic Services Design or work that is subject to licensing regardless of value is involved.
- The required licence class: Identify the full scope rather than assuming that one class covers every activity.
- Available exemptions: Check both the type of work and the contracting arrangement.
- Regulator confirmation: Contact the QBCC if the company is unsure whether its circumstances require a licence.
What should readers check before relying on this answer?
This is general information, not financial or legal advice. Check the QBCC regulator page for the current licensing rules and, where insurance is relevant, check the applicable policy’s PDS for the insurance terms.
Sources
- Company | Queensland Building and Construction Commission
- When you need a licence | Queensland Building and Construction Commission
FAQ
Does a licensed director automatically cover the company?
No. The QBCC states that having a licensed director and using their licence number on company contracts is not sufficient. A company generally needs its own licence when the applicable requirement applies, unless an exemption is available.
What happens if the job is exactly $3,300?
The general company requirement applies to building work valued over $3,300, not work valued exactly at $3,300. Lower thresholds and the rules for specified work may still apply.
Could an exemption remove the company’s licence requirement?
Potentially. The QBCC identifies work exemptions in Schedule 1 of the QBCC Regulation and situation-specific exemptions in Schedule 1A of the QBCC Act. The company must check whether its exact work and circumstances match an exemption.
Can a trust obtain its own QBCC licence?
No. The QBCC says a trust cannot obtain a QBCC licence. The individual or company acting as trustee for a trust undertaking building work must apply for the licence.