Carpenter or builder? QBCC licences in Queensland

Published 28 October 2026

The difference between a carpenter and a builder

A carpenter is a tradesperson who works in timber: framing, decks, stairs, doors, windows, floors, wardrobes and trims. A builder takes on whole building jobs, running the trades that go into them, from framing to plumbing and electrical.

In Queensland, what matters for your job is not the name on the van but the licence. The Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) issues builder classes and trade classes, and each has its own scope of work. A builder's licence such as Builder – Low Rise covers "Building work on a class 1 or class 10 building." A trade licence covers that trade's work.

So for a job over the threshold, the useful questions are: which QBCC licence class does the contractor hold, and does its scope cover this job? Ask, then check the answer on the register.

When carpentry needs a QBCC licence: the $3,300 threshold

The QBCC Act says "a person must not carry out, or undertake to carry out, building work unless the person holds a contractor's licence of the appropriate class". Carrying out building work includes to "directly or indirectly cause the work to be carried out" (QBCC Act, schedule 2).

The QBCC sets the line at value. Individuals and companies "must hold a QBCC licence to carry out (contract for) building work that is: valued over $3,300". Below it, a handyman needs no licence "as long as the value is no more than $3,300, isn't electrical or plumbing work and doesn't require an occupational licence".

In practice, small carpentry jobs such as rehanging a door, replacing a few metres of skirting or fixing a gate often come in under $3,300. New decks, pergolas, stairs, built-in wardrobes and larger floor repairs usually don't.

How the job's value is worked out

The value is the whole job, not the labour alone. The QBCC describes "domestic building work priced over $3,300 including labour, materials and GST", and its home warranty page says "valued at more than $3,300 (including cost of materials, labour and GST)".

So a deck whose labour is $2,500 but whose timber and fixings cost another $3,000 is a $5,500 job for licensing. QBCC pages word the exact edge slightly differently ("over $3,300" on one, "less than $3,300" on another), so treat a job close to $3,300 as licensed work and ask.

How to check a carpenter's QBCC licence

Search the name or licence number on the QBCC licensee register. It shows whether the licence is current and its classes.

Advertising has to show it too. The QBCC says "All licensed contractors in Queensland are legally required to provide specific details when advertising their services", including their contractor name, which "must match the name the QBCC licence is registered under", and their QBCC licence number.

• Match the name on the quote to the name on the register, not just a trading name
• Check the class covers your job, and ask which class the contractor is relying on
• Check the licence is current on the day you sign

Contracts, deposits and cooling-off over $3,300

Above the threshold, domestic building work comes with contract rules under schedule 1B of the QBCC Act. Contracts are level 1 (over $3,300 and under $20,000) or level 2 ($20,000 or more), and:

• the contract "must be in writing and dated and signed"
• the deposit is capped at 10% for a level 1 contract and 5% for a level 2 contract, or 20% where off-site work is worth more than half the contract price
• there's a cooling-off period "within 5 business days"

Below the threshold, the QBCC says: "A contract is not required if the work is valued less than $3,300 (including labour, materials and GST)." A written quote that lists what's included still saves arguments later.

Home warranty insurance on carpentry work

The Queensland Home Warranty Scheme sits behind licensed residential work. The QBCC says the premium is "compulsory for all residential construction work valued at more than $3,300 (including cost of materials, labour and GST)". It "pays up to a maximum of $200,000 on claims", and cover "lasts for 6 years and 6 months".

Ask the contractor how the job is covered before you sign.

Electrical work and roof spaces

Some work sits outside a carpenter's licence whatever its value. Electrical work is licensed separately: the Electrical Safety Office says "Don't do your own electrical work—it's illegal and dangerous." Moving a light switch or a power point for new robes or a new doorway is a job for a licensed electrician.

Roof spaces have their own rule. Under the Electrical Safety Regulation 2026, a business must make sure, so far as reasonably practicable, that a worker doesn't work in the roof space of a house unless the electrical installation is de-energised or another permitted circumstance applies. Expect a carpenter working in your ceiling to ask for the power to be off.

Asbestos removal is licensed too: see asbestos before renovating.

Questions about carpenter or builder: QBCC licences