Significant national collaboration and engagement between Standards Australia, the QBCC and fellow building and construction regulators, has led to a release of curated access to specialised content sets from the Australian Standards catalogue at significantly reduced rates for mobile phone users.

Included in the initiative is the newly released National Construction Code (NCC) Primary Reference Set, which features 333 Standards referenced by the NCC.

QBCC Commissioner Anissa Levy says the new arrangement is a huge win for the building and construction industry and Queenslanders who are building a home or renovating.

“Australian Standards set specifications and design procedures for goods, services and systems and they are essential for compliance with the National Construction Code requirements,’’ Commissioner Levy says.

“This initiative, which allows users to access Australian Standards via their mobile, will provide significant financial relief to those in Queensland’s building and construction industry.

“For example, accessing Australian Standards 3600:2018 (Concrete Structures) currently costs $368.96 for a web reader version. However, under the new arrangement, they’ll be able to access all 333 standards for just $110 per year via their mobile.

“The mobile option also provides greater flexibility for those in the industry, such as tradespeople, and technicians, when they are offline or in remote areas and need to access information.”

Commissioner Levy says Home owners are not left out; the initiative provides limited free access to specific standards through the Standards Australia Reader Room upon request via the Standards Australia Reader Room.

“This arrangement is a monumental win for the building and construction sector. Australian Standards are vital for ensuring that all construction work meets rigorous quality and safety benchmarks essential for compliance with the National Construction Code,” Commissioner Levy says.

“This demonstrates our ongoing commitment to supporting a sustainable and resilient industry while safeguarding lives and livelihoods.”

For more information or to access the Australian Standards Catalogue, visit the Standards Australia Store.

The statement follows public warnings by the Office of Fair Trading about unscrupulous operators ripping off home owners.
QBCC Commissioner Anissa Levy implores people to educate themselves and do their due diligence before engaging a builder or a tradesperson.

“It is so important that home owners who are looking to undertake building or renovation work use licensed contractors, ensure they have a contract in place, regardless of the size of the job and never pay excessive deposit amounts,” Commissioner Levy says.

“Asking friends and relatives for recommendations is a great place to start and a simple google search goes a long way.”

The QBCC website provides great advice and to help home and property owners make informed decisions when it comes to choosing a qualified, licensed local contractor, including their full licence history,” she says.

“Your home is one of the biggest investments you will ever make, so it’s vital that the contractor you choose is appropriately licensed for the work they have been engaged to do.

“Unlawful building work puts home owners at a higher risk of defects and could impact their eligibility under the Queensland Home Warranty Insurance Scheme.”

Commissioner Levy says the QBCC takes a proactive approach to safeguarding the building and construction industry and home owners from unscrupulous operators.

“We conduct ongoing audits of active building sites around the state to check that builders are appropriately licensed to perform their work,” Commissioner Levy says.

“We know from our ongoing audits of active building sites that most people do the right thing, but we also must hold to account those who are found to be operating unlawfully.

“Our regulatory actions range from issuing penalty infringement notices and warning notices to licence suspensions and cancellations and court prosecutions.”

To date this year, the QBCC has had outcomes in 22 prosecutions against individuals and companies who have engaged in illegal building related activities. This has resulted in more than $330,000 in fines, costs and compensation.

Commissioner Levy encourages anyone who has questions about a contractor they are intending to engage to contact the QBCC on 139 333.

Recent Warnings

On Monday 16 December 2024 the Office of Fair Trading issued a public warning for people not to do business with two tradies who have been ripping off home owners around south-east Queensland.

Public warnings were issued for James Bruce Michael Darren Brown and his stair supply and installation and renovation businesses, and Matthew Geoffrey Rixon AKA Joseph J Sara and his fencing and renovation businesses.

Meanwhile, a recent story in the Beaudesert Times warned about ‘fake tradies scamming locals’. The article stated, local police had received complaints about a ‘criminal gang rolling around town taking advantage of elderly people’.

Background - Maximum deposit amounts

Under the Queensland Building and Construction Commission Act 1991 (the Act), the Act sets out maximum deposit amounts that can be requested.

The QBCC Act sets out maximum deposit amounts that can be requested by a contractor.

• For jobs priced at $3,300 or less, home owners should pay no more than a 20 per cent deposit.
• If the contract price is between $3,300 and $19,999, the maximum deposit is 10 per cent.
• For work of $20,000-plus, the maximum deposit allowed is 5 per cent of the contract price. (An exception applies where more than 50 per cent of the value of the work is performed offsite, in which case a deposit of up to 20 per cent is allowable.)

Background – unlawfully carrying out building work

Unlawfully carrying out building work is an offence under section 42 of the QBCC Act and attracts an escalating series of penalties for each offence.

For a third or later offence, an offender may be prosecuted upon indictment before the District Court, as they are alleged to have committed a crime.

The IAC was established in April 2023 to provide observations, strategic advice and guidance to the Board in relation to matters affecting the building and construction industry.

Peter, Brenden and Úna join existing committee members:

Peter Chamberlain

Peter is a Senior Building Certifier / Building Development Compliance Officer with the Sunshine Coast Regional Council.

Over the past 37 years, Peter has working in the Queensland building and construction industry in both the private and public sectors. He has experience as a trade-qualified carpenter and joiner, builder, leading-hand, foreman, building fire safety advisor, project manager, tribunal representative and building certifier. Peter is currently accredited by the Australian Institute of Building Surveyors and holds a QBCC Level 2 building certifier licence.

Peter’s current role includes supervising a team of building and development compliance officers and building certifiers.

Brenden Creed

Brenden is the Director and Principal Designer of BRD Group and has over 30 years of experience in building design, documentation and design management in Australia and overseas.

An award-winning designer, his work spans a diverse range of building types, including master-planned developments, corporate retail and hospitality, childcare, multi-residential and residential projects, as well as specialist disability accommodation (SDA) design.

Brenden is a Director on the Board of the Building Designers Association of Australia and chairs its Advocacy Committee and is also a Fellow Member of Building Design Queensland.

Úna Mc Kenna

Úna is a highly respected remedial consultant, with over 15 years of construction and engineering experience in Australia, as well as additional experience in Ireland. 

Úna specialises in diagnosing and managing building defects, typically in existing Class 2 buildings, and has played a pivotal role in the continuous growth and success of remedial teams within the industry in NSW and Queensland.

She is known for her expertise in forensic investigations, accurately diagnosing general building defects, and preparing clear and effective technical reports and specifications. She served on the board of the Australian Concrete Repair and Remedial Association from 2020–21.

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. 

As part of an ongoing campaign to stamp out unlicensed, illegal and defective building work across the State, officers from the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) audited 28 building sites across the Gold Coast and checked the licences of more than 120 individuals.

QBCC Commissioner, 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,” Commissioner Levy says.

“One of our main priorities is to protect property owners from defective building work and by conducting regular site audits and checking individual licences, we can put a stop to those performing work illegally.”

Commissioner Levy says the six people suspected of performing unlicensed work 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 the investigation process, the QBCC will take a tougher stance to encourage future compliance across the sector,” Commissioner Levy says.

While Commissioner Levy says it is important to catch those who think they can flout the law, the QBCC’s ongoing campaign reveals most contractors are doing the right thing at building sites.

"When people are doing the right thing, our QBCC officers are then able to take the opportunity 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.

“These positive interactions with industry and our consumers help us build strong relationships, which in turn helps foster a culture of compliance and safer construction practices.”

Background

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.