If you undertake structural landscaping work in Queensland, there are two QBCC licence classes that can appear very similar:
Structural Landscaping (Trade) and Builder Restricted to Structural Landscaping.
While there is some overlap between the scopes of work, there are important differences—particularly if you are looking to grow your business, manage larger projects or engage other licensed contractors.
Trade Licence vs Builder Restricted
The Structural Landscaping (Trade) licence is a trade contractor licence covering a defined range of structural landscaping work.
The Builder Restricted to Structural Landscaping licence is a builder-level licence. One of the key differences is that it provides a broader contracting framework, allowing the licensee to contract for structural landscaping work within the permitted scope and engage appropriately licensed subcontractors to complete relevant components of that work.
For a business coordinating multiple trades as part of a structural landscaping project, this distinction can be significant.
What About Retaining Walls?
This is a question that we are often asked……retaining walls is another important difference within the QBCC licence classes.
The Structural Landscaping (Trade) scope is limited to retaining walls that do not require engineering certification under a local law.
The Builder Restricted scope extends to retaining walls and structures without that same stated limitation and can therefore be relevant to contractors undertaking more complex structural landscaping projects and engaging other licensed subcontractors such as plumbers or electricians.
The Experience Requirements Are Also Different
Moving from a trade licence to Builder Restricted is not simply an upgrade based on the number of years you have worked in landscaping.
The QBCC requires applicants for Builder Restricted to Structural Landscaping to demonstrate appropriate supervision, administration and management experience, not simply experience carrying out trade work.
This is often where understanding your licensing pathway becomes important.
Which Licence Is Right for You?
The appropriate licence will depend on the work you undertake, how you contract and subcontract that work, your qualifications and the level of responsibility you have held on previous projects.
If you are considering progressing from Structural Landscaping (Trade) to Builder Restricted to Structural Landscaping, Construction Licensing can assess your current position and provide clear advice on the most appropriate licensing pathway.
Make an Enquiry About Your QBCC Structural Landscaping Options
Construction Licensing provides licensing consultancy and application support based on our experience and assessment of the information available. Licensing requirements and decisions remain at the discretion of the QBCC.
