Certifier
Scope of work: levels 1 to 3
Includes
Building Certifier Level 1
- Perform building certifying functions on all classes of buildings and structures. Building certifying functions include:
- carrying out building assessment work, other than a part of building assessment work that, under section 46, a referral agency may carry out
- the giving of a certificate (a compliance certificate) in the approved form that, other than for aspects of building assessment work that under section 46 must be assessed by a referral agency, states building work complies with the building assessment provisions
- for a building development approval—inspecting the building work to decide whether to certify the work
- for building work for a single detached class 1a building or a class 10 building or structure, the giving of both:
- a certificate in the approved form for the stage of the building work that is after excavation of foundation material and before the footings for the building are laid
- a certificate (a final inspection certificate) in the approved form for the final stage of the building work.
- the giving of a certificate of occupancy for a building or structure of another class.
Building Certifier Level 2
- Without supervision of a Building Certifier Level 1—perform building certifying functions on buildings and structures having a rise of no more than 3 storeys and a total floor area of no more than 2000m².
OR
- Under the supervision of a Building Certifier Level 1—help in assessing and inspecting all classes of buildings and structures.
Building Certifier Level 3
- Perform building certifying functions on:
Scope of work: endorsements
Includes
Private certification endorsement
- Certify building work as a private certifier.
Development approval endorsement
- Issue building permits as a private certifier.
Eligibility
As well as the requirements listed below you need to be fit and proper to operate and provide:
- photographic proof of your identity
- evidence you have permission to work in Queensland (citizen, visa, Immicard).
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You must hold the official Accreditation Certificate relevant to the level you wish to apply (level 1, level 2 or level 3) from either:
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You must hold the official Accreditation Certificate for building certifier—level 3 issued by either:
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You must provide written references from previous employers demonstrating:
- you have at least 1 year’s experience carrying out level 3 work under the supervision of a person licensed as a building certifier—level 1 or a building certifier—level 2
- the experience was completed within 2 years of the date of your licence application.
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You can apply for an endorsement at any time.
Licence requirements
You must hold one of the following:
- building certifier—level 1 licence
- building certifier—level 2 licence
- building certifier—level 3 licence.
Professional indemnity insurance
You need to demonstrate you hold professional indemnity (PI) insurance by providing:
- a copy of the certificate of currency for the insurance
- a completed professional indemnity declaration for certifiers (PDF, 54KB)—if your policy is held by your employer.
Learn about the level of cover and other requirements of PI insurance for certifiers.
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Licence requirements
You must hold either a
- building certifier—level 1 licence
- building certifier—level 2 licence
- building certifier—level 3 licence.
Endorsement requirements
You must also hold a:
- private certification endorsement.
Technical requirements
You must have satisfactorily completed either of the following courses:
- Queensland Private Building Certifier Course.
The course provider is the College of Professional Development. For more information visit the CPD website.
- Issuing development permits for building work, conducted by Mackee and Associates Pty Ltd, trading as AssentTECS
This qualification is only acceptable if completed before 9 June 2023
Certifier licence fees
Licence application and renewal fees are outlined below.
If you are applying to change your level at any time you will pay an application fee. There is no fee for adding an endorsements at any time.
Our fees and charges increase on 1 July each year. On 1 July 2023 our fees and charges were increased in line with legislative requirements. You can contact us to find out details about specific fees, charges or prices.
How to apply
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You will need to provide certified copies of:
- the official Accreditation Certificate from either:
- photographic proof of identity.
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Download and complete:
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To lodge your application you need to provide us with:
- the completed form
- all supporting documentation
- the application fee.
You can lodge the application:
- in person at a QBCC service centre and pay the fees by eftpos
- by mail—add credit or debit card details to the application form and post it to us with all supporting documentation.
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You will need to provide certified copies of all relevant documents to support your application for the relevant endorsement this may include all or some of the following:
- evidence of completed required courses
- photographic proof of identity
- evidence of PI insurance.
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Download and complete:
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To lodge your application you need to provide us with:
- the completed form
- all supporting documentation
- the application fee.
You can lodge the application:
- in person at a QBCC service centre and pay the fees by eftpos
- by mail—add credit or debit card details to the application form and post it to us with all supporting documentation.
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We may accept applications for mutual recognition from:
- Australian Capital Territory
- New South Wales
- Northern Territory
- South Australia
- Tasmania
- Victoria
- Western Australia
- New Zealand.
The QBCC may only issue a licence that is equivalent to the licence you already hold.
If your interstate or New Zealand licence is subject to a condition or restriction, the QBCC must impose the same condition on your Queensland licence.
Where there is no QBCC licence equivalent to your interstate or New Zealand licence, we will not be able to issue you a licence.
Learn more about what licences we can accept through mutual recognition.
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Your interstate licence must remain active to qualify for a QBCC licence. Be sure to renew your licence on time and pay any outstanding fines.
If your interstate licence is cancelled or suspended prior to approval of a Queensland licence, you will not be entitled to a Queensland licence under mutual recognition.
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Gather any relevant supporting documents including evidence of:
- your current interstate or NZ licence
- photographic proof of your identity
- evidence you have permission to work in Queensland (citizen, visa etc.)
If applying by mail, only provide us with certified copies of your original documents, as we cannot return them to you.
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Download and complete:
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To lodge your application you need to provide us with:
- the completed form
- all supporting documentation
- the application fee.
You can lodge the application:
- in person at a QBCC service centre and pay the fees by eftpos
- by mail—add credit or debit card details to the application form and post it to us with all supporting documentation.
What happens next?
Allow up to 6-8 weeks for QBCC to process your application. This includes checks to confirm you are a fit and proper person to hold a licence.
If your licence is approved, we’ll post you your certificate and licence letter, which includes your licence number.
If your application is unsuccessful we will refund you the licence fee, however we will retain the cost of processing the application.
FAQs
We may refuse to issue or renew a licence if you are not a suitable person to hold a licence.
When deciding suitability, we consider whether you:
- have been convicted of a relevant offence
- have previously been refused a licence, or had a licence suspended or cancelled under a relevant Act
- have been disqualified from holding a licence under a relevant act
- have had any dealings where your honesty and integrity have been compromised
- have failed to carry out statutory obligations relating to building or private certifying functions, and the reasons for the failure
- hold current accreditation issued by an accreditation standards body.
This list is not exhaustive, and we may consider other circumstances.
If you are dissatisfied with our decision to refuse you a licence, you can lodge an appeal with the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) within 28 days.
Before making an application to review a QBCC decision in QCAT, please read QCAT Practice Direction 2022/09 , which provides an explanation of QCAT’s pre-hearing processes including how to make an application.
A private certifier is a building certifier whose licence has a private certification endorsement. This allows them to operate as a private certifier.
- A private certifier—class A is a private certifier whose licence has the development approval endorsement.
- A private certifier —class B is a private certifier whose licence does not have development approval endorsement.
