Why You Should Always Hire a QBCC Licensed Fencer in Queensland

In Queensland, any building work valued at more than $3,300 (including labour and materials) must be carried out by a contractor holding a QBCC (Queensland Building and Construction Commission) licence. For most residential fencing and retaining wall projects, that threshold is easily reached.

Hiring an unlicensed operator might save you money upfront, but the risks far outweigh the savings.

What a QBCC Licence Means

A QBCC licence confirms that the contractor has met certain standards. They have demonstrated trade qualifications or equivalent experience, they carry the required insurance, and they have agreed to operate under Queensland's building standards and consumer protections.

The licence is specific to the type of work. For fencing, the relevant category is typically Structural Landscaping (Trade), which covers fencing and retaining walls. A contractor should hold the licence category that matches the work they are doing on your property.

Your Consumer Protections

When you hire a QBCC licensed contractor, you are automatically covered by protections under Queensland law. These include:

• A written contract for work over $3,300
• Statutory warranties on the work, including that it will be done in a proper and workmanlike manner
• Access to the QBCC dispute resolution process if something goes wrong
• Home warranty insurance for projects over $20,000

If an unlicensed person does the work and something fails, you have very limited recourse. There is no statutory warranty, no insurance, and the QBCC cannot help you resolve a dispute with someone who is not in their system.

Insurance Matters

Licensed contractors are required to carry public liability insurance. This covers damage to your property or injuries that occur during the work. If an unlicensed worker damages your property or injures themselves on your site, you could be held liable.

Ask for proof of insurance before any work begins. A reputable contractor will provide it without hesitation.

How to Check a Licence

The QBCC maintains a public register where you can search for any contractor by name, business name, or licence number. It takes two minutes and confirms whether the licence is current, what categories it covers, and whether there are any conditions or sanctions.

If a contractor is reluctant to provide their licence number, that should tell you everything you need to know.

What About Retaining Walls?

Retaining walls have additional requirements. Walls over a certain height (typically 1 metre, depending on the situation) require engineering design and certification. The contractor building the wall must hold the appropriate QBCC licence, and the engineer must be registered.

An unlicensed person building a retaining wall without engineering creates a genuine safety risk. Retaining wall failures can cause property damage, injury, and liability that extends to the property owner.

The Bottom Line

A QBCC licence is the minimum standard for professional building work in Queensland. It is not a guarantee of quality on its own, but it ensures that the contractor meets baseline standards and that you have protections if something goes wrong.

When you are choosing a fencer, check the licence first. Everything else follows from there.