The Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) continues to emphasise that a simple licence search and sighting a physical card or digital licence is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself from financial loss, unsafe and defective work, and deceptive conduct.
The ABC recently highlighted a case where an individual on the Gold Coast allegedly used the name of an existing QBCC licensee to gain contracts and take deposits for renovations and buildings.
This situation highlights how a licence number or business identity can be misused and stresses the importance that licence and photo checks are not a formality—they are a critical safeguard for home owners and an essential part of maintaining trust in the building and construction industry.
Home owners should also ask contractors for references, site photos or real-life work examples and call the company they are from to ensure the person they are dealing with is legit, for added peace of mind.
Why licence checks matter
The QBCC Licensee Register allows home owners to confirm whether a licence is current, the name it is issued to, the licence class, and any conditions or disciplinary history.
The QBCC Home Owner Hub reinforces this advice and provides practical steps for choosing contractors, comparing quotes and understanding contract requirements.
Home owners should always confirm that the person they are dealing with is the licence holder. This includes checking photo identification and business details. If anything appears inconsistent, home owners are encouraged to pause the engagement with the individual and seek advice, such as contacting the business to confirm that they are who they claim to be.
Working with interstate regulators
While the QBCC regulates building and construction work in Queensland, serious misconduct is not always restricted to a single jurisdiction. Fraud, identity misuse, and unlicensed contracting can occur across state borders.
For this reason, the QBCC maintains strong working relationships with interstate regulators and engages with them when matters involve cross‑border activity.
These relationships are long-standing and well-established. The QBCC routinely shares information, coordinates investigative activity, and supports regulatory action with its interstate counterparts. This cooperation helps ensure individuals engaged in serious misconduct cannot simply move between states to avoid scrutiny. It also supports a consistent regulatory environment for licensees who comply with the law.
A united regulatory approach strengthens protections for home owners, supports the integrity of the licensing framework, and helps maintain a level playing field for licensed contractors who are doing the right thing by gaining qualifications, paying licence fees and obeying the law.
What home owners can do
Even with strong cooperation between regulators, home owners remain the first line of defence against fraudulent activity.
The QBCC encourages anyone considering engaging a person to perform building work to:
- Check the person’s licence on the QBCC Licensee Register.
- Verify their identity by sighting their physical card or digital licence. The QBCC has begun the process of issuing photo licences to all QBCC licensees. This is an added protection allowing home owners to check the photo matches the person they are dealing with as well as the licence details. Learn how you can spot an unlicensed contractor.
- Use written, dated and signed contracts and follow the guidance provided about contracts on the Home Owner Hub.
- Keep records of quotes, contracts and communication.
- Report suspicious behaviour to the QBCC and fraudulent activity to the Queensland Police Service.
A simple step that makes a major difference
The alleged Gold Coast fraud matter is a reminder that vigilance matters. Taking a few minutes to check a licence can prevent significant financial and emotional stress. Supported by strong interstate cooperation and clear guidance for home owners, the QBCC remains committed to protecting Queenslanders and upholding a fair, trustworthy and accountable building and construction industry.
