If you are researching roof replacement in Queensland, you will encounter the term QBCC licence at some point in the process. It might appear on a contractor’s website, in a quote document, or in the advice of someone who has been through a roofing project before. But what does it actually mean, what does it protect you from, and how do you check that a contractor actually holds one? These are practical questions with straightforward answers, and knowing them before you commit to any roofing work is worth the few minutes it takes.
This guide explains the QBCC licence system in plain language, what it covers, how it applies specifically to roofing work, what QBCC Home Warranty Insurance is and when it applies, how to verify a contractor’s licence yourself, and what the risks are if you hire someone who does not hold the right credentials.
What Is the QBCC?
The QBCC stands for the Queensland Building and Construction Commission. It is the Queensland Government body responsible for regulating the building and construction industry in Queensland. Its role includes licensing contractors, setting minimum standards for building work, managing disputes between homeowners and contractors, administering the Home Warranty Insurance scheme, and taking action against contractors who carry out unlicensed or defective work.
Every contractor who carries out licensed building work in Queensland, including roofing, guttering, plumbing, electrical, and structural work, is required to be registered with the QBCC and hold the correct licence for the type of work they are performing.
What Is a QBCC Licence for Roofing?
A QBCC licence for roofing is a contractor licence that authorises the holder to carry out specific categories of roofing work in Queensland. There are different licence categories for different types of roofing work, including roof tiling, metal roofing and cladding, and general building work that encompasses roofing. The licence category must match the work being performed.
To obtain a QBCC licence, a contractor must demonstrate the relevant technical competency and qualifications for their licence category, meet financial requirements, hold appropriate insurance, and comply with the QBCC’s conduct and standards requirements. The licence must be renewed regularly, and the QBCC can suspend or cancel a licence if a contractor fails to meet standards or accumulates complaints.
For homeowners, the practical significance is this: a QBCC-licensed roofing contractor has demonstrated a minimum level of technical competency, is financially accountable, carries the required insurance, and is subject to QBCC oversight if things go wrong.
We are a fully QBCC-licensed roofing contractor. Our licence number is 15316575 and it can be verified on the QBCC website. Visit our roof replacement page for more information on our credentials and what we include in every project.
When Is a QBCC Licence Required for Roofing Work?
In Queensland, any roofing work that meets or exceeds the regulated threshold requires a licensed contractor. The current threshold is $3,300 including GST. This means that almost any meaningful roofing project, including a roof replacement, a re-roof, or significant repair work, requires the contractor to hold a valid QBCC licence in the appropriate category.
Work below $3,300 may be carried out without a contractor’s licence, though this threshold is easily exceeded by most roofing projects of any substance. Attempting to classify a larger project as multiple smaller jobs to avoid the licensing requirement is not compliant with Queensland building regulations.
The licence requirement also applies to the specific scope of work. A contractor licensed for general building work is not necessarily licensed for specialised asbestos removal, which requires a separate and additional licence category. If your roofing project involves asbestos, the contractor must hold the relevant asbestos removal licence as well as their roofing contractor licence.
If your project involves asbestos roofing, visit our asbestos roof replacement page to understand the specific licensing requirements and how we manage compliant removal from start to finish.
What Is QBCC Home Warranty Insurance?
QBCC Home Warranty Insurance is a statutory insurance scheme administered by the QBCC that protects homeowners when a licensed contractor fails to complete or properly complete a residential building project. It applies to eligible residential building work valued over the threshold set by the QBCC.
The insurance provides protection in the following circumstances.
- The contractor fails to complete the work, whether due to insolvency, disappearance, or death.
- The contractor completes the work but it contains defects, and the contractor fails to rectify them within a reasonable period.
- The contractor is no longer able to be contacted or has become insolvent after completing work with defects.
QBCC Home Warranty Insurance is not optional for eligible work. It is a legal requirement, and it should be lodged by the contractor before work begins. As a homeowner, you should receive confirmation in writing that the insurance has been lodged for your project before any work starts. Do not assume it is automatically in place.
We manage QBCC Home Warranty Insurance paperwork for every eligible project and provide confirmation to clients before work begins. Learn more about how we handle compliance on our re-roofing licensing page.
How Do You Verify a Contractor’s QBCC Licence?
The QBCC maintains a publicly searchable register of all licensed contractors in Queensland. You can search by contractor name or licence number on the QBCC website at qbcc.qld.gov.au. The search result will show you the contractor’s current licence status, the categories they are licensed for, and whether there are any conditions or restrictions on the licence.
This verification takes about two minutes and is one of the most important checks you can do before engaging any roofing contractor. Do not rely solely on a contractor providing you with their licence number or showing you a licence card. Verify it yourself directly through the QBCC register.
When verifying, check that the licence category is relevant to your project. A contractor may hold a valid QBCC licence but not in the category that covers the specific work you need. For a metal roof replacement, the relevant category is typically metal roofing and cladding. For asbestos removal, a separate category applies.
What Are the Risks of Hiring an Unlicensed Contractor?
Hiring an unlicensed contractor for roofing work in Queensland is a risk on multiple levels.
- You have no recourse through the QBCC complaints and dispute resolution process if the work is defective or incomplete.
- QBCC Home Warranty Insurance cannot be lodged for work carried out by an unlicensed contractor, which means you have no statutory protection if the contractor cannot rectify defects.
- Your home insurance policy may not cover damage caused by or resulting from work carried out by an unlicensed contractor.
- If a worker is injured on your property during unlicensed roofing work, your liability position may be significantly more complex than it would be with a fully insured, licensed contractor.
- Work carried out without proper licensing documentation creates compliance issues that may need to be resolved when you sell the property or make future building applications.
The cost of using an unlicensed contractor is sometimes lower upfront. The potential cost of the problems that follow is not.
What Questions Should You Ask a Contractor About Their Licence?
Before signing any agreement for roofing work, ask the contractor the following questions and expect clear, documented answers.
- What is your QBCC licence number, and which categories does it cover?
- Are you licensed for the specific scope of this project, including asbestos removal if applicable?
- Will QBCC Home Warranty Insurance be lodged for this project, and can you provide confirmation in writing before work begins?
- What public liability insurance do you hold, and what is the coverage amount?
- Can you provide a written quote that clearly states the scope, materials, and total price including GST?
For more detailed guidance on what to check before hiring a roofing contractor, visit our QBCC roofing contractor guide.
Works Cited
Fortified Roofing Group. “Roof Replacement Brisbane.” Fortified, 2026, fortified.com.au/roof-replacement-brisbane/.
Fortified Roofing Group. “Asbestos Roof Replacement Brisbane.” Fortified, 2026, fortified.com.au/asbestos-roof-replacement-brisbane/.
Fortified Roofing Group. “Re-Roofing Licensing in Brisbane.” Fortified, 2026, fortified.com.au/re-roofing-licensing-in-brisbane-what-you-need-to-know-before-replacing-your-roof/.
Fortified Roofing Group. “How Do You Choose a QBCC Roofing Contractor?” Fortified, 2026, fortified.com.au/qbcc-roofing-contractor-guide-australia/.
Fortified Roofing Group. “About Us.” Fortified, 2026, fortified.com.au/about-us/.
Queensland Building and Construction Commission. “Licence Search.” QBCC, 2026, www.qbcc.qld.gov.au.
