The builder versus trade contractor comparison explains that distinction. Here is what to check when carpentry is the proposed trade.
What the carpentry scope includes
The current QBCC carpentry class page includes work such as:
- timber and steel wall framing, roof structures, ceiling and subfloor framing
- non-loadbearing internal partitions, windows, doors and their framing
- timber and sheet flooring, exterior cladding, fascias, soffits, metal roofing and timber stairs
- internal linings, panelling and mouldings, fitments and door or window furniture
- restoration and renovation of doors, windows and frames
- concreting to simple forms, including associated formwork and reinforcement
- erecting and stripping formwork, including slip form and jump form.
QBCC also lists incidental work of another class and notes that doors include fire doors and fire shutters. Check the exact scope before relying on an incidental-work provision for a separate package of work.
This is a trade scope. It does not give the same authority as Builder Low Rise, Medium Rise or Open.
Match the licence type to your role
A contractor-type licence is the route to investigate if you want to quote and contract for carpentry under your own name or business. A nominee supervisor licence has a different purpose: supervising a licensed company’s work, without personally contracting in that capacity.
If a company will sign the quotes and contracts, check its company licence and nominee arrangement as well. Your individual licence does not become the company’s licence.
Check the technical and managerial qualifications
The carpentry page lists accepted technical proof such as apprenticeship papers, an RTO qualification, appropriate course documentation, an RPL certificate or an approved qualification statement. Compare what you hold with the current class requirements before assuming you need more training.
Contractor and nominee supervisor applicants also need the approved managerial qualification BSBESB402, Establish legal and risk management requirements of new business ventures. If you completed the older BSBSMB401 unit, confirm whether QBCC will accept it before buying replacement training.
Experience may help an RTO assess a genuine qualification gap through RPL. It does not automatically produce a qualification or licence. Read how RPL fits before applying.
Prepare the business information
A contractor applicant must demonstrate the applicable minimum financial requirements. An additional class may be treated differently where maximum revenue is not increasing. Confirm the required declaration or report for your application with QBCC and your accountant.
For an initial conversation, gather:
- Examples of the carpentry packages you plan to quote.
- Your trade certificate, apprenticeship papers and course transcript.
- Any managerial unit certificate.
- Existing QBCC licences and conditions.
- The entity that will sign contracts and, for a company, the proposed nominee.
- The business’s intended turnover, for the financial requirements discussion.
Check the current class and licence-type checklist for other required material. Do not assume that every trade class uses the builder experience rules.
Get the application prepared
Builders Licence Success checks the jobs you plan to quote, the likely class and the documents already available. We help prepare the application and identify gaps before lodgement. QBCC decides the licence application and an RTO decides any RPL outcome.
Ready to quote your own carpentry work? Start the next-step check. Tell BLS what your business will quote and which qualifications you already hold.