Conditional yes: the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) says a handyman does not need a QBCC licence for work valued at no more than $3,300, but only if it is not electrical or plumbing work and does not require an occupational licence. Figures checked 1 October 2026.
What conditions must a handyman meet?
The QBCC’s handyman entry is a combined test. Calling someone a handyman does not automatically exempt the work they intend to carry out.
| Boundary | Required position under the QBCC handyman entry |
|---|---|
| Value of the work | No more than $3,300 |
| Type of work | Not electrical or plumbing work |
| Other licensing | The work does not require an occupational licence |
If any part of that test is not met, the handyman no-licence position does not apply. It also does not establish that a separate statutory exemption is available.
Here, “unlicensed” means no QBCC licence is required for that particular work. It does not mean an occupational licence or another regulatory requirement can be ignored.
Can work worth no more than $3,300 always avoid licensing?
No. The QBCC’s general rule includes lower-value triggers and categories where value is not the deciding factor.
| Work category | QBCC position |
|---|---|
| General building work | A QBCC licence is required to carry out or contract for building work valued over $3,300 |
| Hydraulic Services Design | A QBCC licence is required when the work is valued over $1,100 |
| Work involving a listed category below | The QBCC licensing requirement applies regardless of value |
The listed any-value categories include:
- 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 handyman therefore cannot rely on the $3,300 figure alone if the work falls into one of these categories or involves electrical or plumbing work.
What happens if electrical or plumbing work is involved?
The handyman provision expressly excludes electrical and plumbing work, even when its value is no more than $3,300.
For electrical work, the QBCC says an electrician carrying out electrical work need not hold a QBCC licence for that electrical work. However, the electrician cannot carry out building work without a QBCC licence, and the QBCC directs readers to the Electrical Safety Office in Workplace Health & Safety.
Plumbing and drainage are also included in the QBCC’s any-value licensing categories. Any separate occupational-licence requirement must still be satisfied.
If a QBCC licence is required, which class is relevant?
The licence must be the relevant class for both:
- the scope of work the person intends to undertake or oversee; and
- their industry role and responsibilities.
More than one licence class may be needed to cover the full scope. Holding a licence for an unrelated class should not be assumed to cover electrical, plumbing, design, mechanical or other work outside that class.
Could a separate exemption change the answer?
Possibly, but it should not be assumed. The QBCC identifies 53 exemptions in Schedule 1 of the Queensland Building and Construction Commission Regulation 2018. Under those exemptions, specified work may not be defined as building work and therefore may not require a contractor’s licence.
Schedule 1A of the Queensland Building and Construction Commission Act 1991 also contains situation-specific exemptions. The QBCC directs readers to section 5 of the Regulation and section 42 of the Act for other possible circumstances.
Its subcontractor licensing guidance is a general guide only, and requirements can vary with both the work and the contracting arrangement. If the individual circumstances remain unclear, the QBCC advises contacting it for assistance.
What should a handyman check before quoting a job?
- Define the proposed scope and contracting arrangement.
- Confirm that the work is valued at no more than $3,300.
- Check whether electrical, plumbing or another any-value category is involved.
- Check whether the work requires an occupational licence.
- Identify the relevant QBCC licence class or classes if a licence is required.
- Check whether a separate exemption applies, and contact the QBCC if the answer is uncertain.
This is general information, not financial or legal advice. Check the QBCC regulator page and your policy’s Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) before relying on a no-licence position. Insurance cover is separate from QBCC licensing and should not be treated as a licensing exemption.
Sources
FAQ
Is every handyman job worth no more than $3,300 outside the QBCC licensing requirement?
No. The work must also be neither electrical nor plumbing work and must not require an occupational licence. Relevant any-value categories may require a licence regardless of the job’s value.
Does the handyman provision cover electrical or plumbing work?
No. Electrical and plumbing work are express exclusions from the handyman position. Plumbing and drainage are also subject to the QBCC’s any-value licensing requirements.
What happens when building work is valued over $3,300?
The general QBCC rule requires a licence to carry out or contract for building work over that amount. A handyman should check whether a separate statutory exemption applies rather than assuming one does.
Which QBCC class should cover the work?
The class must match the intended scope, industry role and responsibilities. More than one class may be required where the work falls into different areas.
What if I cannot tell whether the exemption applies?
Contact the QBCC for advice on your individual circumstances. Check your policy’s PDS separately for insurance terms, but do not treat insurance cover as a substitute for QBCC licensing requirements.