Yes—but under the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) guidance, a Queensland handyman may do work valued at no more than $3,300 without a QBCC licence only if the work is not electrical or plumbing work and does not require an occupational licence. The guidance, last reviewed 11 Aug 2021 and last published 18 Aug 2021 (figures checked 1 October 2026), also says a QBCC licence is required for building work valued over $3,300 and for Hydraulic Services Design valued over $1,100. The QBCC licensing requirement applies regardless of value to specified work, so the dollar value alone does not determine the answer.
What conditions apply to the $3,300 handyman provision?
The handyman statement sets a combined value, work-type and licensing test:
| Condition | QBCC handyman position |
|---|---|
| Value of the work | No more than $3,300 |
| Type of work | Not electrical or plumbing work |
| Occupational licensing | The work does not require an occupational licence |
These conditions must be satisfied together. A low value does not remove the electrical or plumbing exclusion, and the handyman statement does not apply when the work requires an occupational licence.
Why can the answer change when the type of work changes?
Different work attracts different QBCC licensing thresholds or applies regardless of the amount involved:
| Work situation | QBCC licensing position |
|---|---|
| Building work valued over $3,300 | A QBCC licence is required to carry out or contract for the work |
| Hydraulic Services Design valued over $1,100 | A QBCC licence is required |
| Drainage, plumbing and drainage, gas fitting, chemical termite management, fire protection, completed residential building inspection, building design in low-rise, medium-rise and open-site classifications, or mechanical services | The QBCC licensing requirement applies regardless of value |
Electrical work also needs a separate check. QBCC says an electrician carrying out electrical work need not hold a QBCC licence for that electrical work, but cannot carry out building work without one. QBCC directs electricians to contact the Electrical Safety Office in Workplace Health & Safety.
The practical point is that a job cannot be classified from its price alone. Electrical, plumbing, hydraulic services design and the other listed activities can change the licensing analysis.
Which QBCC licence class must cover the work?
Where a QBCC licence is required, it must be the relevant class for both:
- the scope of work the person intends to undertake or oversee; and
- the person’s role and responsibilities in the industry.
More than one licence class may be needed to cover the full scope. Holding a licence for general building work does not necessarily cover specialised work within the same project.
Can a subcontractor rely on the handyman provision?
Not automatically. QBCC says subcontractor licensing requirements vary according to both the type of work and the contracting arrangements.
QBCC describes its subcontractor guidance as general only. It must be read with the 53 exemptions listed in Schedule 1 of the QBCC Regulation, under which specified work is not defined as building work and does not require a contractor’s licence. Situation-specific exemptions also appear in Schedule 1A of the Queensland Building and Construction Commission Act 1991.
A subcontractor therefore needs to check the actual scope, contracting position and applicable exemption rather than relying only on the value.
What should I check before accepting the work?
Before treating work as a no-licence handyman job:
- Confirm the value of the work.
- Check whether it includes electrical, plumbing, Hydraulic Services Design or any other listed activity.
- Check whether an occupational licence is required.
- Identify the relevant QBCC licence class or classes if a QBCC licence is needed.
- Contact QBCC if the individual circumstances remain unclear.
Insurance is a separate check. Read the policy’s PDS and ask the insurer or broker about any proposed work or contracting arrangement that is not clearly addressed. The QBCC licensing threshold does not determine insurance coverage.
This is general information, not financial or legal advice. Check the current QBCC regulator guidance and your policy’s PDS before proceeding.
Sources
FAQ
Is exactly $3,300 included?
Yes. QBCC uses “no more than $3,300”, so exactly $3,300 meets the value condition. The work must also be non-electrical, non-plumbing and not require an occupational licence.
Does the handyman provision cover electrical or plumbing work?
No. Electrical and plumbing work are expressly excluded from the handyman statement, even where its value falls within the $3,300 condition.
What if the job requires an occupational licence?
The handyman statement cannot be used as the answer. Check with the relevant occupational regulator and use QBCC guidance to determine whether a QBCC licence or particular class is also required.
Which QBCC licence class should I look for?
The class must match the scope of work you intend to undertake or oversee and suit your industry role and responsibilities. More than one class may be needed.
Can a subcontractor decide from the $3,300 value alone?
No. QBCC says subcontractor requirements vary with the type of work and the contracting arrangements, and its guidance must be read with the relevant statutory exemptions.
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