UNLOCKING BUILDER LICENCE APPLICATIONS: UNDERSTANDING REFERENCE STATEMENTS
In this article we discuss the significance of reference statements and supporting evidence when applying for a builder’s licence in Queensland through the QBCC (Queensland Building and Construction Commission). It outlines the required evidence checklist, the importance of reference statements, suitable referees, and highlights how Construction Licensing can provide you with tailored support for your unique situation.
WHO IS AN ACCEPTABLE REFEREE FOR A BUILDER’S LICENCE?
When applying for a builder’s licence, you must show evidence that supports your claim of building supervisory and management experience. A critical component of that evidence is the provision of reference statements from other licensed builders and/or professional practitioners.
All states and territories require referees to support your builders licence application. Each licensing body has differing criteria as to who and what will qualify as acceptable evidence. In this article we share a bit more information about the referee requirements and evidence for a builder’s licence application to the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC).
QUEENSLAND BUILDERS LICENCE – EVIDENCE OF EXPERIENCE
An applicant for a QBCC Builder’s Licence must show evidence that supports that they have the experience referred to in their application. This evidence may take the form of a combination of documents:
- Referee Statements
- Interview Referees (Telephone)
- Employment Confirmation (Payslips, Superannuation Statements)
- Construction Notifications
- Photos of Projects
- Contracts or Scopes of Work Performed
- Employment Contract or Letter of Service
- Other Evidence (Statutory Declarations, Email Instructions)
QUEENSLAND BUILDERS LICENCE – GUIDE TO REFEREES
Referee statements are the most important evidence and hold the most weight. Your referee will need to verify your overall coordination and management of individual projects including the stages of construction, on-site supervision and your individual roles and responsibilities. Your referees will need to sign an oath of declaration, to confirm the content of your application is true and correct.
QUEENSLAND BUILDERS LICENCE – ACCEPTABLE REFEREES
Ideally you should be able to provide three reference statements from licensed builders that you have worked with. Appropriate Referees include:
- The licensed builder of the site
- The nominee of the principal building company of the site
- Licensed site supervisors in the employ of the principal builder
- Architect, Engineer, Draftsperson, Building Designer, Certifier relating to a particular project that you were supervising and managing.
Your referees must have been actively licensed during the period of the projects and have held/hold the either the same or higher licence class than the class of your application. For example, if you are applying for a Builder Low Rise Licence, your builder referee must at least hold Builder Low Rise, Builder Medium Rise or Builder Open.
HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?
Maybe your individual situation does not fit in all the boxes? No surprises there, most potential builders have unique situations, everyone is different. Construction Licensing can help you work through your options and alternatives.
QBCC BUILDER LICENCE, NSW FAIR TRADING BUILDER LICENCE + MUTUAL RECOGNITION.
Not living in Queensland, no problem. We help people wanting a licence in NSW or Mutual Recognition to operate in Queensland.
Call Construction Licensing now for a free consultation to get the ball rolling. We can answer any preliminary questions or concerns that you may have about obtaining your Builder Licence.
