What this is about
The Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) has published research based on 556 Queensland property owners who recently went through its dispute process. The research covers awareness of warranty rights, common project issues, and available support resources.
What the research found
- 48% of surveyed property owners were first-time builders or renovators.
- 39% experienced at least one issue during their project.
- Only 45% of Queensland Home Warranty Scheme (QHWS) policy holders knew there are time limits for lodging a claim.
The Queensland Home Warranty Scheme in 2025-26
In 2025-26, the QHWS covered almost 199,000 Queensland residential building projects. This included more than 35,000 new homes and almost 164,000 renovations. The scheme paid out $55.7 million in claims during that period.
The Home Owner Hub
The QBCC has a free online resource called the Home Owner Hub. It includes guides, checklists, a five-stage building journey walkthrough, and information on the Queensland Home Warranty Scheme. The Hub is available at qbcc.qld.gov.au.
Key actions
- Before signing any building or renovation contract, use the QBCC's free Licensee Register to check a contractor's licence history - available at qbcc.qld.gov.au.
- Visit the QBCC Home Owner Hub at qbcc.qld.gov.au to access guides, checklists and the five-stage building journey before a project starts.
- Holders of a Queensland Home Warranty Scheme policy are required to check the claim time limits that apply to their cover - the Hub has details on eligibility and timeframes.
- If a dispute arises, the research supports contacting the contractor early and keeping records of all interactions including contracts, invoices, emails, photos and approved variations.
This is a plain-English summary for information only, not legal or compliance advice. Always check the official source or consult a qualified professional.