This article discusses when bodies corporate must register works with QBCC and ensure proper licensing and contracts for projects over $3,300.
Question: Does a body corporate need to register works over $3,000 with the QBCC?
Our committee is directly managing the maintenance and upgrade of our common property outdoor cabana. We’re using only licensed and insured tradespeople. If quotes exceeds $3,000, do we need to register the work with the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC)?
Answer: Works that cost over $3300 inc GST should be conducted by QBCC-licensed professionals, and you should ask any contractors you engage for their licence and insurance details.
The QBCC website explains that you need a written contract if you are carrying out domestic building work priced over $3300, including labour, materials and GST: QBBC: Domestic building contracts
Domestic building work includes:
- building a new detached dwelling (including a duplex)
- building a structure associated with a home, such as a shed, garage, carport, retaining structure, driveway, fence, workshop, swimming pool or spa
- removing or re-siting a dwelling intended to be used as a residence
- renovating, extending, altering, improving (including painting and installing services) or repairing a house, duplex or unit
- refitting a kitchen or bathroom, and
- landscaping, paving, site work, etc.
The QBCC provides a standard domestic contract that you can use in these circumstances: QBBC: Domestic building contracts
Your contractor should supply you with a contract, but in reality, this step is often missed or avoided by contractors as they don’t like the extra paperwork.
If you ask a contractor to provide you with a contract and they refuse, that is probably a red flag, and you might want to consider whether it is worth continuing with them.
If you don’t sign a contract, you may be giving up some of your legal protection as a consumer, and it may be harder to take action if there is any dispute with the work.
However, works that cost over $3300 inc GST should be conducted by QBCC-licensed professionals, and you should ask any contractors you engage for their licence and insurance details. You can cross-reference the documents on the QBCC’s license search page.
If they are registered and insured, you are probably safe to proceed. If not, you should probably look for someone else.
William Marquand Tower Body Corporate E: willmarquand@towerbodycorporate.com.au P: 07 5609 4924
This post appears in the February 2026 edition of The QLD Strata Magazine.
Have a question or something to add to the article? Leave a comment below.
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