QBCC Commissioner and CEO, Anissa Levy, says the QBCC regulates building work from Cape York to Coolangatta and regulates more than 118,000 licensees, ranging from builders to plumbers and pool inspectors.
“Conducting regular site audits and checking individual licences across the state is just one of the ways the QBCC is safeguarding the building and construction sector, its workers and consumers.
“These audits also ensure there is an equitable environment for our licensees by identifying and penalising unlawful operators.” Commissioner Levy says.
While most contractors are doing the right thing at building sites, it’s important to catch those who think they can flout the law to appropriately protect property owners and workers from financial risks or defective building work.
The audits also provide an opportunity for officers to engage with licensees and property owners to raise awareness of topical issues, provide them with advice on their rights and responsibilities, and information about the role of the QBCC.
Recent audits on the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast uncovered a number of individuals suspected of unlicensed contracting and several offences relating to non-compliant signage.
The QBCC audited 28 building sites across the Gold Coast and checked more than 120 licences, uncovering six individuals suspected of working without a licence.
Meanwhile on the Sunshine Coast, the QBCC’s officers nabbed four individuals suspected of unlicensed contracting after inspecting more than 50 building sites and performing licence checks of almost 105 workers. Another individual was suspected of hiring an unlicensed worker and officers detected a further 17 offences relating to non-compliant signage.
These individuals are now subject to further investigations which could result in prosecution. Regulatory action can range from warnings for non-compliant site signage, for example, to monetary fines or even prosecution, and where repeat offending is uncovered during theninvestigation process, the QBCC will take a tougher stance to encourage future compliance across the sector.
In the 2023-2024 financial year, QBCC officers conducted 1,134 building site audits around the State which resulted in 4,681 licence audits. Of these, 29 were identified as unlicensed contractors.
An individual or company caught working without a licence can be issued with fines of up to $3,226 or prosecuted in court. Repeat offending can lead to imprisonment for up to a year.