Change your licence type | Queensland Building and Construction Commission

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Apply and surrender process

We provide you the option to do the 2-step process in the one form:

  1. Apply for a new licence type in your existing class.
  2. Surrender the existing licence type in that class.

Step 1: Apply 

This process allows you to apply for a new licence type for your existing class.

You will still need to demonstrate you meet all the relevant eligibility for the new licence type in your existing class.

If applying for a contractor-type licence you will need to demonstrate that you can meet minimum financial requirements with an MFR report or declaration.

Step 2: Surrender—optional

This process gives you the choice to also submit a request to surrender your current licence type. The QBCC will then consider this request and advise you of the decision.

If your licence is under any current regulatory action, your request to surrender may not be granted until that action is completed.

Who is eligible for this process?

You can only use this process in certain scenarios.

To be eligible, you must hold a contractor or nominee supervisor type of licence and be applying for a different licence type in the same class. You can request to:

  • to surrender a contractor-type licence and apply for a:
    • nominee supervisor-type licence
    • site supervisor-type licence
    • occupational-type licence (available for fire protection and mechanical services only. Other licence classes would already have required you to hold an occupational licence as a contractor.)
  • to surrender a nominee supervisor-type licence and apply for a:
    • contractor-type licence
    • site supervisor-type licence
    • occupational-type licence
You don’t have to surrender your original licence type when applying for a new licence type in the same class. But you will need to continue to maintain both licence types and meet all relevant obligations on an ongoing basis.

Example 1—contractor to nominee supervisor

You are acting as a nominee for a company. You no longer require an individual contractor-type licence as the company will now be responsible for undertaking contracts.

By surrendering your individual contractor licence and applying for a nominee supervisor licence you are no longer required to meet individual minimum financial requirements obligations for that class of licence.

Example 2—nominee supervisor to contractor 

If you decide to begin personally contracting for work, you will be required to now hold a contractor-type licence.  

You will need to demonstrate that you can meet minimum financial requirements to hold this licence type and have any relevant experience to do the work.

Who is not eligible for this process?

You are not able to use this process if applying: 

  • for a different licence type in a continuing licence class 
  • as a site supervisor licensee
  • as an occupational licensee
  • when applying for a new licence class.

For these scenarios, you need to follow the standard process as per a new licence application.

Likewise, you will need to follow the standard process to surrender your licence if you wish to then cancel an existing licence type.

Application fees

When changing your licence-type, you will only have to pay the application fee—not the annual licence fee.

When your renewal date arrives, you will need to pay the full renewal fee for all the licence-types you hold in that class. (If you have chosen not to surrender the original licence-type.)

Set out below are the fees for each licence-type. If you are applying for a contractor-type licence the application fee is determined by your annual turnover (maximum revenue—MR) category.

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.

$410.54—SC1

MR up to $200,000 p.a.

$469.16—SC2

MR up to $800,000 p.a.

$634.99—Cat 1-2

MR up to $12 million p.a.

$881.44—Cat 3-7

MR over $12 million p.a.

$234.58

Application fee

$234.58

Application fee

$133.51

Application fee

How to apply

Check the eligibility requirements for the licence type in the class you are applying for. This may include:

  • technical qualifications
  • experience 
  • financial requirements
  • professional indemnity insurance.

Gather the supporting documents that demonstrate you meet the eligibility criteria.

If applying by mail, only provide us with certified copies of your original documents, as we cannot return them to you.

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.

What happens next?

Allow up to 8 weeks for QBCC to process your application. 

If your change in licence type is approved, we’ll post you your updated licence card and licence letter.


Last reviewed: 30 Aug 2021 Last published: 30 Aug 2021
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