More than 700 building sites across Queensland were audited by officers from the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) as the regulator continues to take action to protect property owners from the risks of unlicensed building work.

QBCC Commissioner, Anissa Levy, says 41 QBCC officers conducted 2,338 licence checks on active building sites, from the Gold Coast to Cairns across the month of October.

Ms Levy says the regular audits of active building sites across the State help maintain a level playing field by protecting industry members who are doing the right thing by being licensed.

“QBCC licensees are aware of their obligations regarding the safety net provided by Australia’s most accessible home warranty scheme, the Queensland Home Warranty Scheme, which ensures residential building work is insured,” Ms Levy says.

“They are also subject to the nation’s only mandatory financial reporting requirements. All these factors provide strong protection for property owners undertaking building projects in Queensland.” 

She says the audits help the QBCC to check that people are performing building work to the correct standards and with the appropriate licences and show that the majority of people working on sites are doing the right thing.

The audits uncovered 40 individuals suspected of performing unlicensed building work and a further 18 individual licensees who are suspected of engaging unlicensed individuals to perform work.

"Performing unlicensed work is a serious offence, and there are significant penalties for anyone caught not abiding by the law," Ms Levy says.

“One of our main priorities is to protect property owners from defective building work and by conducting regular site audits and checking licences, we reduce the potential harm that can occur by anyone performing work illegally.

“By only using QBCC-licensed contractors, property owners can rest assured that the contractors have the experience, training and qualifications to perform building work to appropriate standards.

“In addition to using a licensed contractor, property owners should also ensure they get more than one quote and have a contract in place that is signed and dated by all parties, before undertaking building work.” 

Ms Levy says the 58 individuals detected during these audits are now subject to further investigations, which could result in fines or prosecution.

"If repeat offending is uncovered during the investigation process, the QBCC will take a tougher stance on those individuals to encourage future compliance across the sector,” Ms Levy says.

“While compliance is a primary focus, we also want to educate contractors about their obligations and responsibilities and help build understanding with property owners around their rights and protections.

"When people are doing the right thing, the QBCC is able to take the opportunity to engage with licensees and property owners to raise awareness of topical issues and provide them with advice and information about the role of the QBCC.

"We uphold standards by taking a firm but fair approach by enabling and guiding those who do the right thing and holding to account those who don’t.”

Background

The QBCC regulates more than 119,000 licensees, ranging from builders and painters to plumbers and pool inspectors, from Cape York to Coolangatta. the 2,338 persons audited in the past month:

• 950 (40.63%) were working under their licence class
• 183 (7.82%) were working under a sub-contractor arrangement
• 1163 (49.74%) were working under an employee arrangement
• 1 (0.042%) was working under a partnership arrangement
• 40 (1.71%) were suspected of being unlicensed.

In addition to the Gold Coast and Cairns, QBCC officers also visited active building sites in and around Rockhampton, Maryborough, Toowoomba, Mackay, Townsville, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane and Logan.

In the 2023-2024 financial year, the QBCC conducted 1,334 building site audits around the State which resulted in 4,681 licence checks. Of these, 29 were identified as unlicensed contractors.

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.

This warning is issued by the Commissioner of the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) to the public under section 20J(1)(i) of the Queensland Building and Construction Commission Act 1991 (QLD). 

This is a public warning about the installation and maintenance of the non-conforming building product DECKO ECW Decking Boards (Product Number; HF06, HF07, HF09, and HF10) (Product) made of composite wood plastic material due to the public health and safety impact of the Product failing. The QBCC is urging consumers, contractors, and suppliers to be cautious in relation to the Product. 

Factsheet - Wood plastic composite decking boards and nonconforming building products

Should you have any concerns about the Product, please contact the QBCC on 139 333.

Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) officers checked the licences of 105 individuals as part of an ongoing campaign around the State to stamp out unlicensed, illegal and defective work.

QBCC Commissioner, Anissa Levy, says another individual was suspected of hiring an unlicensed worker and officers detected a further 17 offences relating to non-compliant signage.

“The four people suspected of performing unlicensed work and the builder suspected of engaging an unlicensed worker are now subject to further investigations which could result in prosecution,” Commissioner Levy says.
“Those with non-compliant signage will receive warnings, however, if our investigations reveal any repeat offenders, our regulatory action will be more rigorous.”

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

“Ultimately, it is about making sure building work is done appropriately to help protect property owners and workers from financial risks or defective building work,” Commissioner Levy says.

“These audits also ensure there is an equitable environment for our licensees by identifying and penalising unlawful operators.”

Commissioner Levy says 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.

“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.”

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.

Background

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.

Public licence register

The QBCC website provides free information to help home and property owners find a qualified, licensed local contractor.

Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) officers targeted 54 active building sites over 3 days in May checking the licences of almost 200 individuals.

QBCC Commissioner, Anissa Levy, says the QBCC’s ongoing campaign to stamp out unlicensed, illegal and defective work across the State also detected two other individuals suspected of hiring an unlicensed contractor.

“These individuals will now be subject to further investigations by the QBCC which could lead to fines or prosecution,” Commissioner Levy says.

“These activities are illegal and the QBCC has zero tolerance for such activities, which is why the QBCC is proactively running this campaign.

“By identifying and preventing unlawful activity we can help protect owners from financial risks or defective building work.

“Our compliance audits ensure there is a level playing field for our licensees who are doing the right thing by obtaining qualifications and experience and providing the QBCC with evidence of their financial stability each year.”

Commissioner Levy says the QBCC’s audits are not just about detecting offences, as the majority of individuals working on building sites are licensed and doing the right thing.

“When individuals working on building sites are licensed, our officers can then shift their focus to engaging with licensees and home owners to raise awareness of topical issues, provide them with advice on their rights and responsibilities, and information about the role of the QBCC,” she says.

“Building strong relationships with industry members and home owners allows us to foster a culture of professionalism and compliance and helps ensure safer construction practices."

The QBCC urges all members of the public to only use licensed contractors for their building project, regardless of the size of the project.

The QBCC website provides free information to help home and property owners find a qualified, licensed local contractor.

Background

In the 2023-24 financial year to date, the QBCC Compliance and Enforcement team has conducted 1,325 visits to active building sites and checked that 4,453 individuals were appropriately licensed.

During these site audits QBCC officers detected 82 people suspected of performing unlicensed work and a further 15 individuals suspected of hiring an unlicensed worker.

In 2022-2023, the QBCC issued 313 individuals with fines for unlicensed contracting or unlicensed contracting-related offences, while 65 received warnings.

An individual or company caught working without a licence can be issued with a penalty infringement notice or prosecuted

Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) officers checked the licences of almost 90 individuals as part of an ongoing campaign around the State to stamp out unlicensed, illegal and defective work.

QBCC Commissioner, Anissa Levy, says the three-day audit of Cairns residential building sites also detected another three individuals suspected of hiring an unlicensed worker.

“The three people suspected of performing unlicensed work and the builders suspected of engaging them are now subject to further investigations which could lead to fines or prosecution,” Commissioner Levy says.

“The QBCC has zero tolerance for these illegal activities and by proactively identifying and preventing unlawful activity we can help protect owners from financial risks or defective building work.

“Our compliance audits also ensure there is a level playing field for our licensees who are doing the right thing by obtaining qualifications and experience and providing the QBCC with evidence of their financial stability each year.”

Commissioner Levy says the QBCC’s audits are not just about detecting offences, as previous campaigns have revealed the majority of individuals working on building sites are licensed.

“When we find people doing the right thing, our officers can then shift their focus to engaging with licensees and home owners to raise awareness of topical issues, provide them with advice on their rights and responsibilities, and information about the role of the QBCC,” she says.

“Building strong relationships with industry members and home owners allows us to foster a culture of professionalism and compliance and helps ensure safer construction practices."

The QBCC urges all members of the public to only use licensed contractors for their building project, regardless of the size of the project.

The QBCC website provides free information to help home and property owners find a qualified, licensed local contractor.

Background

For the 2024 year to date, QBCC officers around the State have audited more than 170 sites and interviewed more than 300 contractors. These audits have detected 13 people suspected of performing unlicensed work and a further four individuals hiring an unlicensed worker.

In 2022-2023, the QBCC issued 313 individuals with fines for unlicensed contracting or unlicensed contracting-related offences, while 65 received warnings.

An individual or company caught working without a licence can be issued with a penalty infringement notice of up to $3,096 or prosecuted in court. Repeat offending can lead to imprisonment for up to a year.

Paul Joseph Ford was convicted and fined a total of $16,000 in Beaudesert Magistrates Court on 24 April 2024 for three offences relating to unlicensed building work at a Jimboomba property in 2021.

Mr Ford was not present in court when her Honour Magistrate Tracy Mossop convicted him of unlicensed building work, not using a contract that complies with requirements, and demanding an excessive deposit from a homeowner.

The QBCC has also prosecuted another three individuals this year in cases where convictions were not recorded [details of these are in the section below].

Acting Commissioner of the QBCC, Tim Murphy, has urged homeowners to only ever use licensed contractors, regardless of the size of their building project.

He said unlicensed individuals exposed owners to illegal and potentially dangerous work, and their work might not be covered by the safety net provided by home warranty insurance.

“The Queensland Home Warranty Scheme is the most accessible scheme in Australia and protects owners if work is incomplete or defective,” Mr Murphy said.

“Owners should get more than one quote, only use a licensed contractor and a contract, and ensure they have their home warranty insurance policy in place before work starts.”

He said the money paid by owners to the unlicensed individuals prosecuted so far this year highlighted the risks in using unlicensed individuals and ranged from $3,350 to $49,000.

QBCC Prosecutions in 2024 for unlicensed building activities

On 25 January 2024, Paul Lawrence Coplick was convicted of unlawfully carrying out building work, fined $15,000 and ordered to pay compensation of $3,350 to a homeowner.

On 9 February 2024, a man pleaded guilty in the Rockhampton Magistrates Court in relation to two charges brought by the QBCC. 

The man was fined a total of $6,000 for unlicensed building work and not using a contract that complies with requirements. Convictions were not recorded.

On 15 March 2024, Richard Kaddour was convicted and fined $20,000 for unlawfully carrying out building work and performing building work without a written contract.

On 5 April 2024, a man pleaded guilty in the Holland Park Magistrates Court in relation to unlicensed building work and carrying out plumbing and drainage work without an appropriate licence. The Magistrate fined the defendant a total of $8,500 and convictions were not recorded.

The QBCC prosecuted a man in the Beenleigh Magistrates Court on 12 April 2024 in relation to unlicensed building work, pretending to be a licensee, not using a contract that complies with requirements and demanding and receiving an excess deposit from a homeowner.

The defendant failed to appear and fined a total of $15,000. Convictions were not recorded.

Two separate cases were prosecuted by the QBCC on 19 April 2024.

Gurbuz Oktay and Charles Falevalu Tauvao were both charged with unlicensed building work, not using a contract that complies with requirements, and demanding excessive deposits from home owners.

Mr Oktay was also charged with pretending to be a QBCC licensee. He was convicted of all four offences and fined $25,000.

Mr Tauvao pleaded guilty to all three offences and was convicted and fined $15,000.

On 24 April 2024, Paul Joseph Ford was convicted and fined $16,000 for unlicensed building work, not using a contract that complies with requirements, and demanding excessive deposits from home owners.

Richard Kaddour, who was also found guilty of performing regulated building work without a written contract, was sentenced in the Brisbane Magistrates Court earlier this month, after the QBCC charged him with the two offences relating to a bathroom renovation at Clayfield.

In addition to the convictions recorded against Mr Kaddour, he was also fined $20,000 and ordered to pay the Commission’s fees of $1,861.

In passing sentence, Magistrate Joseph Pinder considered Mr Kaddour’s history of non- compliance with the QBCC Act, noted that Mr Kaddour was known to the Commission and had never held a licence under the QBCC Act.

QBCC Commissioner, Anissa Levy, says she is pleased with the result as the regulator has zero tolerance for unscrupulous operators.

“Unlicensed building work is illegal, it undercuts hard-working QBCC licensees who do the right thing and will not be tolerated,’’ Commissioner Levy says.

“By stamping out this activity, we are ensuring a level playing field for licensed contractors.

“The laws exist to help protect Queenslanders during the building process. It is imperative that those in the industry are licensed, pay the appropriate home warranty insurance on behalf of the home owner when undertaking building work, and ensure written contracts comply with all requirements.”

Ms Levy advises home owners to carefully check their contract details and seek legal advice before signing to ensure they are aware of their rights and obligations.

“It is essential that home owners undertake due diligence and ensure building work doesn’t start until a contract is signed, and they should not pay for stages of work ahead of time.”

The QBCC strongly encourages consumers to always use the free licence check on the QBCC website to confirm that the person they are dealing with is appropriately licensed.

Background

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 is required to be prosecuted upon indictment before the District Court, as they are alleged to have committed a crime.

A person commits an offence if they provide contracted services for regulated building before a regulated contract which complies with the requirements of the QBCC Act is in place.

The QBCC may issue infringement notices, prosecute or take disciplinary action and apply demerit points, which can lead to loss of licence, potential fines and financial loss for the individual.