Your trade papers are an important document that certifies your industry recognised trade skills and experience – but being trade qualified is not the same as being licensed as a tradie. If you want to work for yourself, get paid on ABN, or start your own business using your trade, in most states you will need a Trade Contractor Licence, and it’s important to make sure that you have the right licences in place for what you want to do. In this article we have focused on Queensland requirements and the QBCC however we do cover trade contractor licensing for other States including the New South Wales Building Commission.
Getting licensed will help protect your qualification as a tradesperson, so make sure you keep the licence active and pay your renewal when due. Otherwise, if you let your licence lapse, you may be faced with upgrading your trade skill qualifications depending on whether you have completed a formal apprenticeship or gained your qualification through recognition of prior learning.
In addition, if you’re going to be sending invoices for jobs that total over $3,300 (including labour and materials), then you need a licence by Queensland law under the QBCC Act. That’s not per invoice, either – that’s per job, and these days, that adds up quick. Other States have different licensing requirements and thresholds therefore you need to check your local laws.
Once you have a QBCC trade licence, there’s no limit on how big a job you can take on – provided that it’s inside your trade, licence scope and you’re complying with your insurance and reporting needs. You also need to ensure that you are meeting contractual obligations as a subcontractor with regard to subcontract agreements and SWMS etc.
So, what do you need?
In QLD, starting on the contractor licence path means you need 3 things: your full trade certificate, an ABN, and your QBCC Managerial Course – BSBESB402 Establish legal and risk management requirements of new business ventures.
The QBCC oversees more than 30 different areas of trade licence, and they all have one thing in common: you must have done the current or equivalent Certificate III, and completed the managerial course. We talk more about the QBCC Managerial Course and what it is, here.
Having an ABN is also crucially important, as you’ll need one to comply with the laws and regulations that surround contracting, tax and financial reporting. Whether you start as a Sole Trader or opt for a Company (Pty Ltd), it’s important to make sure that you are declaring the right information to the QBCC during the process.
Once these three things are settled, it’s time to get on with the QBCC Trade Contractor Licence Application. Construction Licensing provides support and guidance in this area. By working with you to draft and prepare a professional licence application that can be sent to the government at the appropriate standard, you will be in a strong position to move forward. A complete and correct licence application will also reduce delays when the licensing authority assesses your documentation. We’re also on hand help you navigate any questions the QBCC might have while reviewing your application.
Finally, if you’re staying on with a builder to learn the ropes as a Site Supervisor, make sure to get yourself a QBCC Site Supervisor licence as well as your Contractor licence. While you can’t use a Site Supervisor licence to contract, you can use it to show you are qualified and educated on the roles and responsibilities of a Site Supervisor – and that can only ever tick the right boxes when you are ready to apply for your QBCC Builder Licence Application in the future.
Let one of our specialists at Construction Licensing help you put the best foot forward as you start your business in the building and construction industry. We can also provide guidance around previous bankruptcies, insolvency or criminal convictions and how they may affect your licence application under fitness and proprietary requirements.
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QLD | (07) 3067 7443
NSW | (02) 8358 6898
EMAIL | [email protected]
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