Building design—low rise
Scope of work
Includes
- Prepare plans and specifications for a class 1 or class 10 building (PDF).
- Prepare plans and specifications for classes 2 to 9 buildings (PDF) with a gross floor area of not more than 2000m², but not including Type A or Type B construction,
- Contract administration in relation to building work designed by the licensee.
Eligibility requirements
As well as the eligibility requirements for each licence-type, you need to be fit and proper to operate and:
- have permission to work in Queensland (citizen, visa, Immicard)
- provide photographic proof of your identity
- provide evidence of your business structure—if operating under a trading name, company, partnership or trust.
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To hold a licence in this class, you need to demonstrate that you meet the technical qualifications outlined in the document below:
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You will need to demonstrate 2 years' experience, which may include experience gained during an apprenticeship or other training in either:
- the licence class scope of work
- other work QBCC is satisfied is at least equivalent to experience in the scope of work for the class.
Experience declaration
You will need to document your experience in the form below and submit it with your application.
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You need to provide at least 3 written referees from am employer or contractor who can confirm your competency in the scope of work.
A person suitably qualified to verify the experience is a person who both:
- holds a licence or qualification at the same or greater level that the licence that you are applying for
- can confirm your onsite experience.
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You must demonstrate you meet the relevant minimum financial requirements by providing an MFR report or declaration with your application.
If you are applying for this class as an additional contractor-type licence and you are not increasing your maximum revenue you do not need to provide additional financial information.
Financial reporting exemption for PI holders
Holding PI insurance in this class may exempt you from providing detailed financial information with your application.
To be eligible you must hold (or be applying for) contractor licences in the following classes ONLY:- builder—project management services.
- building design—low rise
- building design—medium rise
- building design—open
- hydraulic services design licences
- site classifier licences
- fire protection—water-based fire system stream—design
- fire protection—electrical—design—fire alarm systems.
If you are eligible for the financial reporting exemption you can complete and submit, with your application, a declaration of your estimated maximum revenue using the form below:
Estimated maximum revenue declaration (PDF, 89KB)
DO NOT COMPLETE THIS FORM if:
- you also hold a QBCC contractor licence in any other class than those listed above. You must continue to demonstrate that you can meet the minimum financial requirements to hold your licence.
- you operate under a trust. A Trustee cannot rely on the Trust assets, so you must still complete an MFR report. You may need to rely on a Deed of Covenant and Assurance.
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You must demonstrate you have professional indemnity (PI) insurance to apply for a contractor licence in this class. This can be demonstrated by:
- a copy of the certificate of currency for the insurance
- a statutory declaration (PDF, 43KB) verifying your insurance complies with the minimum standard of PI insurance
- if the insurance has been arranged by an insurance broker, a receipt from the broker showing the premium has been paid.
Learn more about the requirements of PI insurance, including:
- the level of cover required
- when we may grant you an exemption from holding PI insurance.
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To hold a licence in this class, you need to demonstrate that you meet the technical qualifications outlined in the document below:
-
You will need to demonstrate 2 years' experience gained during an apprenticeship or other training in either:
- the licence class scope of work
- other work QBCC is satisfied is at least equivalent to experience in the scope of work for the class.
Experience declaration
You will need to document your experience in the form below and submit it with your application.
-
You need to provide at least 3 written referees from am employer or contractor who can confirm your competency in the scope of work.
A person suitably qualified to verify the experience is a person who both:
- holds a licence or qualification at the same or greater level that the licence that you are applying for
- can confirm your onsite experience.
Application fees
Set out below are the fees for each licence-type.
If you are applying for a contractor-type licence the fees you pay will be determined by your annual turnover (maximum revenue—MR).
If you hold a current individual QBCC licence and are applying for another licence class you will pay a reduced fee.
If you are changing your type or are a contractor increasing your Maximum Revenue, there will be an adjustment to your licence fee. QBCC will contact you with details of the adjusted fee.
Note: Our fees and charges increase on 1 July each year. On 1 July 2023 our fees and charges were increased in line with legislative requirements. You can contact us to find out details about specific fees, charges or prices.
Certificate
You have the option of receiving a printed certificate stating which QBCC licence you hold. The certificates costs an additional $32.91 and can be selected on the application form.
$724.04—SC1
$410.54—SC1
$861.36—SC2
$469.16—SC2
$1104.15—Cat 1-2
$634.99—Cat 1-2
$1587.19—Cat 3-7
$881.44—Cat 3-7
$469.16
$234.58
$1,312.44—SC1
$685.56—SC1
$1,565.30—SC2
$782.65—SC2
$2,016.17—Cat 1-2
$1075.95—Cat 1-2
$2,877.64—Cat 3-7
$1468.26—Cat 3-7
How to apply
Before you apply and pay fees, ensure you can meet all eligibility requirements to hold the licence.
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Review the scope of work above and ensure it covers all work you intend to undertake. If you intend to undertake work outside this scope that is beyond incidental work, then you may need to hold additional licences.
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Choose the type of licence you will need to hold based on your intended role in the industry.
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Review both the general eligibility requirements and the specific requirements for the contractor-type licence. Gather the supporting documents that demonstrate you meet the criteria and provide a certified passport photo for inclusion on your licence.
Learn more about new photo-ID licence cards.
If applying by mail, only provide us with certified copies of your original documents, as we cannot return them to you.
Supporting documents
Download and complete:
Experience declaration (PDF, 79KB)
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Download and complete:
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To lodge your application you need to provide us with:
- the completed form
- all supporting documentation
- the application fee.
You can lodge the application:
- in person at a QBCC service centre and pay the fees by eftpos
- by mail—add credit or debit card details to the application form and post it to us with all supporting documentation.
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Review the scope of work above and ensure it covers all work you intend to undertake. If you intend to undertake work outside this scope that is beyond incidental work, then you may need to hold additional licences.
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The company nominee must be an individual licensee with technical qualifications and experience in the same scope of work being contracted by the company.
The nominee must be an employee, secretary or director of the company. They are responsible for keeping the site safe, supervising the work and ensuring it meets the required codes and standards. The nominee must hold either:
- a nominee supervisor-type licence
- an individual contractor-type licence.
If not already licensed, you can submit the individual application for the nominee at the same time as submitting the application for the company licence.
You will need to provide evidence that the nominee is either
- an employee—PAYG payment statement
- officer of the company—ASIC historical extract.
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Gather the supporting documents for your application:
- director's proof of id—see section 4 of application
- copy of licence information (if applicable)—see section 8 of appication
- partnership agreement (if applicable).
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Download and complete:
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To lodge your application you need to provide us with:
- the completed form
- all supporting documentation
- the application fee.
You can lodge the application:
- in person at a QBCC service centre and pay the fees by eftpos
- by mail—add credit or debit card details to the application form and post it to us with all supporting documentation.
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We may accept applications for mutual recognition from:
- Australian Capital Territory
- New South Wales
- Northern Territory
- South Australia
- Tasmania
- Victoria
- Western Australia
- New Zealand.
The QBCC may only issue a licence that is equivalent to the licence you already hold.
If your interstate or New Zealand licence is subject to a condition or restriction, the QBCC must impose the same condition on your Queensland licence.
Where there is no QBCC licence equivalent to your interstate or New Zealand licence, we will not be able to issue you a licence.
Learn more about what licences we can accept through mutual recognition.
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Review the scope of work above and ensure it covers all work you intend to undertake. If you intend to undertake work outside this scope that is beyond incidental work, then you may need to hold additional licences.
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Your interstate licence must remain active to qualify for a QBCC licence. Be sure to renew your licence on time and pay any outstanding fines.
If your interstate licence is cancelled or suspended prior to approval of a Queensland licence, you will not be entitled to a Queensland licence under mutual recognition.
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Gather any relevant supporting documents including evidence of:
- your current interstate or NZ licence
- photographic proof of your identity
- evidence you have permission to work in Queensland (citizen, visa etc.)
- evidence of partnership, company or trading names, where relevant.
If applying by mail, only provide us with certified copies of your original documents, as we cannot return them to you.
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Download and complete:
-
To lodge your application you need to provide us with:
- the completed form
- all supporting documentation
- the application fee.
You can lodge the application:
- in person at a QBCC service centre and pay the fees by eftpos
- by mail—add credit or debit card details to the application form and post it to us with all supporting documentation.
