QUEENSLAND BUILDER SITE SUPERVISOR LICENCES – OVERVIEW 

In 2007, a “limited licence” was introduced to equip newcomers to the construction industry with essential building skills and knowledge. This initiative also aimed to support principal building contractors in ensuring that every project under their purview received proper supervision from a licensed individual. However, commercial entities and medium-to-large residential builders often find it tough to secure a fully licensed builder for substantial projects or multiple sites. This predicament led to the establishment of the limited licence. 

WHAT IS MEANT BY ‘ADEQUATE SUPERVISION’? 

For Queensland’s building and construction industry, the term ‘adequate supervision’ as outlined in the QBCC Act has a clear meaning. It ensures that all work aligns with: 

• The specific plans and stipulations detailed in the contract between the licensed contractor and the client. 
• The quality and standards that are expected of a competent contractor within the relevant licence class. 

In some cases, a supervisor may not be watching over the work as it is happening, but it is critical that the supervisor checks the work to make sure it meets the requirements of the Building Code of Australia and any related Australian Standards, plans and specifications of the contract, and achieves an appropriate level of workmanship.   

The level of supervision hinges on the intricacy of the work and the proficiency of the tradespeople undertaking it.  A comprehensive Supervision Management Plan should be in place including an inspection checklist of all required inspections. 

Companies involved in construction in Queensland are expected to ensure that there’s adequate supervision for their projects. The exact requirements can vary depending on the nature of the project, but it’s essential to ensure that appropriately licensed individuals supervise and manage the work. 

PENALTIES – BUILDING WORK SUPERVISION 

Companies that are not compliant with QBCC’s requirements can face penalties, including fines or other enforcement actions. It’s essential for businesses operating in Queensland’s construction industry to familiarize themselves with the QBCC’s guidelines and ensure that all supervisory roles are filled by adequately licensed individuals. 

Section 43 of the QBCC Act states that a licensed contractor (whether an individual or a company) must ensure building work is personally supervised by—  

• The contractor 
• The company’s nominee 
• An officer or employee of the contractor who holds one of the following licences of the relevant class authorising supervision of the building work: 

• a nominee supervisor’s licence; 
• a site supervisor’s licence; 

• a fire protection occupational licence; 
• an occupational licence; 
• an individual who holds a contractor’s licence of the relevant class.  

Maximum penalty— (a) for an individual—200 penalty units; or (b) for a company—1,000 penalty units.  

Site Supervisor Licensing CHALLENGES 

The QBCC lays down a detailed set of regulations when it comes to licensing requirements for those supervising building work. These rules can sometimes appear contradictory, but it’s crucial to discern the specifics to ensure compliance and to further the professional growth of your team. 

At its core, the QBCC mandates that anyone supervising building work, be they an employee or an independent contractor, needs to possess a site supervisor licence to oversee the work legally. This rule underscores the importance of qualified supervision across all building projects. 

Conversely, the QBCC also outlines that employees, in general, aren’t required to hold a licence. This exemption primarily applies to broader employment categories, although some professions, such as plumbers and electricians, fall outside of this umbrella due to their need for specialised occupational licences. 

Given these two seemingly conflicting guidelines, what’s the safest course of action for builders?  

To avoid any uncertainties and potential pitfalls, it’s advisable for all employees who have supervisory roles on building and construction sites, secure the relevant builder site supervisor licence. This proactive approach serves a dual purpose: 

Risk Mitigation for Principal Builders: Equipping all supervising personnel with the appropriate licensing dramatically reduces the risk of oversight and ensures that your site is always in compliance with QBCC standards, ensuring the project’s quality and safety. 

Career Growth for Employees: Beyond the immediate compliance benefits, encouraging employees to obtain their supervisor licence offers them a tangible career progression. This not only provides a clear pathway for them to accumulate appropriate experience but also offers opportunities to upskill and potentially upgrade their licence in the future. 

CORPORATE SOLUTIONS 

Construction Licensing introduces a QA package tailored for our corporate clientele. This package delves deep into the credentials of your construction supervisors, examining their experience, qualifications, and current licences in detail. Here’s what we can do for you: 

QBCC Licence Management: Streamline the licensing process for your team. We not only facilitate licence applications but also identify any skills or qualifications that might be missing, laying out clear pathways for both your current and prospective employees. 

Training & Skill Recognition: Should your team need additional on-site training or validation of their existing competencies, we have ties with Registered Training Organisations to cater to these requirements.  Not having to navigate through the myriad of training providers, costs and uncertainty, will save your company time and money by recommending professional providers with a track record. 

Dedicated Support: As part of our corporate package, we assign a dedicated specialist as your client manager to work one on one with you and your team. They will be your point of contact, addressing your businesses present and future licensing needs, ensuring that everything runs smoothly and transparently. 

Subcontractor Verification: We understand the importance of ensuring that every member of your team is compliant. To this end, we’ll verify the licences of your subcontractors, making certain that they align perfectly with the work they’ve been contracted for. After all, it’s essential that each subcontractor holds the relevant licences for their scope of work. 

For a comprehensive understanding of our corporate licensing packages and how they can benefit your business, please get in touch. We’re here to assist and ensure your company operates with utmost QBCC licensing compliance.