Licence class and scope
Low Rise, Medium Rise, Open and restricted builder classes cover different work. The class should cover the buildings and construction you intend to contract, manage or supervise before you choose the form.
Already working as a tradie, foreman, supervisor or builder? BLS checks the likely QBCC builder class, identifies what is missing and helps prepare the application and supporting documents.
QBCC expects more than years in the industry. The class must cover your intended work, then the qualification, experience, referee and financial evidence must support the application type.
QBCC references
Official sources used to verify the summary on this page.
Low Rise, Medium Rise, Open and restricted builder classes cover different work. The class should cover the buildings and construction you intend to contract, manage or supervise before you choose the form.
QBCC requires evidence of the technical skills relevant to the class. The accepted evidence can include an RTO qualification, an RTO RPL certificate or a qualification statement from an approved authority. RPL is a qualification pathway, not a licence decision.
For a Builder Low Rise application, the QBCC guide looks for relevant construction stages, roles, responsibilities and project timeframes. Experience limited to a single trade may not show the full scope, so the project record needs to explain what you supervised or managed.
For the experience being assessed, a suitable referee ideally holds a licence or qualification at the same or higher level and can verify your onsite experience. QBCC may consider supervisory or managerial referees where they can credibly confirm the work claimed.
Contractor applications also involve fit-and-proper, identity and business-structure requirements, plus the relevant minimum financial requirement report or declaration. A company nominee needs the right technical qualifications and experience in the same scope.
BLS checks what you can apply for, shows you what is missing and helps prepare the paperwork using genuine projects and experience.
Help with the application
These guides explain the regulator requirements, application steps and documents you may need.
See whether you need a licence for one trade or a builder licence for the whole project.
Read the application guideA practical check of class, qualification, experience, referees and supporting documents before a QBCC application.
Read the application guideWork out whether a genuine qualification gap exists before treating RPL as the starting point.
Read the application guideLicence and registration applications vary by state, class and how much preparation is needed. The free check gives BLS enough information to explain the service and provide a quote.
The quote depends on where you are applying, the type of application, what records you already have and how much preparation is still needed.
Get clear on your likely licence, gaps and next step before you pay for training or start pulling the paperwork together.