SEQ flood recovery — tips for rebuilding and tradie register.
Understand the changes to fire protection licensing requirements in Queensland.
While electrical work regulated under the Electrical Safety Act 2002 is not regulated by the QBCC, many electricians will hold a QBCC licence for other fire protection work. If you fit into this category, here is some information you may need to know.
If you are a licensed electrical mechanic seeking to hold a fire protection – electrical stream occupational – install and maintain – fire alarm systems licence, you may apply for the licence and rely on your electrical mechanic’s licence to meet the technical qualifications. Please note you do not require a QBCC licence to carry our electrical work on fire protection equipment.
Non-electricians can also apply for this occupational licence but will require a Certificate III in Fire Protection Control UEE31020 or a course the QBCC considers is at least equivalent.
Electrical mechanics may rely on their electrical mechanic licence to partly meet the technical requirements to hold a Fire protection- electrical stream– install and maintain– fire alarm systems class as either a contractor or nominee supervisor. In addition to their electrical mechanic licence, they will need to hold 15 mandatory units of competency.
Applicants who do not hold a current electrical mechanic licence must hold a Certificate III in Fire Protection Control UEE31020 (or equivalent) and 9 of the 15 units of competency.
Applicants for contractor and nominee supervisor licence types also need to meet experience, fit and proper, and managerial requirements. Applicants for contractor licences must also meet minimum financial requirements.
You can find more information about the current technical qualifications required and how to apply under fire protection – electrical – install and maintain – fire alarm systems licence class on the QBCC website.
Licensees who already hold the fire protection – electrical stream occupational – install and maintain – fire alarm systems licence, may be subject to upskilling requirements if they transitioned from a former fire class on 1 May 2021. This includes those who applied for the former class and were approved for the new class after 1 May 2021.
The upskilling requirements vary depending on whether the licensee holds an electrical mechanic licence.
Licensed electrical mechanics who already hold a fire protection – electrical stream occupational – install and maintain – fire alarm systems licence will not be required to upskill.
Licensees who do not hold an Electrical mechanic licence issued under the Electrical Safety Office are required to show that they have completed the Certificate III in fire Protection Control (UEE31011) by 1 May 2025 to satisfy their Upskilling Requirements.
Licensed electrical mechanics in either the contractor or nominee supervisor licence type, must meet the upskilling requirement by 1 May 2025. This can be met through holding a current electrical mechanic’s licence and providing the following six units of competency:
For licensees who do not hold an electrical mechanic licence and have not completed the Certificate III in Fire Protection Control (UEE31011) before 1 May 2021, the additional competency unit of Inspect and test emergency and exit lighting systems (CPPFES2026A) will be required.
It is important to note that Licensees have until 1 May 2025 to provide documentation to the QBCC that they have completed the Upskilling requirements.
If you have any questions about fire protection upskilling requirements or wish to lodge upskilling documentation, you can email them to fireupskilling@qbcc.qld.gov.au
The Queensland Government's Tradies in Paradise initiative offers up to $1750 in cash incentives to 1000 tradespeople and building professionals from across Australia (excluding New South Wales) who relocate and complete reconstruction work, helping our flood-impacted communities rebuild and recover sooner.
If you want to take advantage of the Queensland Government’s Tradies in Paradise initiative and help flood-affected areas recover, make sure you know how to become licensed in Queensland.
If you’re already licensed interstate, you may be eligible to apply for a licence under mutual recognition.
There are some special rules to consider:
Visit our mutual recognition page so you can start working in paradise sooner.
To find out more about Tradies in Paradise, including how eligible workers can register or apply, visit qld.gov.au/tradiesinparadise
On 10 December 2021, amendments were made by the Queensland Government to the Queensland Building and Construction Commission Regulation 2018 which will reduce scope of work for the fire protection–water-based system–install and maintain–commercial and industry licence class.
The amendments were made to the scope of work to match the qualifications and endorsements held by a licensee. For example, the amendment will ensure that a person who performs work on fire sprinkler systems must hold a licence that has appropriate qualifications or endorsements for this work.
From 31 March 2022, the scope of work for the above class will be restricted unless the licensee holds a relevant Plumbing and Drainage Act 2018 (PD Act) licence or other prescribed qualification.
The current scope of work for the fire protection–water-based system–install and maintain–commercial and industry includes:
For licensees who cannot demonstrate they hold the relevant PD Act licence or prescribed qualifications by 31 March 2022, the scope of work for this class will be limited to:
From 31 March 2022, licensees must ensure they only carry out work within their scope that applies to them.
It’s important to consider that a PD Act licence is required to personally perform or supervise regulated plumbing work, including the installation and maintenance of water-based fire protection systems.
To help licensees and consumers to identify which scope of work applies, the QBCC will note licence scope restrictions on the licensee register.
No further action will be required by licensees who already hold the PD Act licence unless otherwise contacted by the QBCC directly.
Licensees who transitioned to this class from the former Part 26 Sprinkler and suppression systems (reticulated water-based)—install and maintain—restricted to commercial or industrial type licence, are not affected by these changes, and will also retain a full scope of work.
To retain the full scope of work from 31 March 2022, licence class holders must demonstrate that they hold at least one of the following:
Relevant Plumbing and Drainage Act 2018 licences
Prescribed qualifications
For company licensees, the scope of work for company licence will be the same as the scope that applies to their nominee.
Licensees who continue the full scope of work on the basis they hold the prescribed technical qualifications, should provide a copy of the prescribed qualification to the QBCC as soon as possible (unless the qualification was provided after 1 May 2021, in which case this does not apply).
Visit the fire protection resources page of the QBCC website for the relevant application forms. If you have any questions about this change, call us on 139 333.
