What happened
Ricky Aden Potter, a Queensland man who has never held a QBCC licence, was convicted and fined $8,000 in Maroochydore Magistrates Court for carrying out building work without a licence. The court also ordered him to pay compensation to the homeowner.
The work involved installing a retaining wall, fence, landscaping, and drainage at a Sippy Down property. The work was carried out between April and October 2023.
Checking a licence before hiring
The QBCC states that homeowners can check whether a tradie holds a current QBCC licence and view their compliance history at qbcc.qld.gov.au.
A Digital Licence app, available since 30 September 2025, also allows licence credentials to be verified on the spot. More than 13,000 licences have already been added to the app since 30 September 2025.
Queensland Home Warranty Scheme
The Queensland Home Warranty Scheme (QHWS) is mandatory for all residential construction work in Queensland valued over $3,300. Homeowners planning residential building or renovation work valued over $3,300 can confirm their licensed contractor has a QHWS policy in place before work begins.
QBCC Home Owner Hub
The QBCC provides a free five-step online guide called the Home Owner Hub at qbcc.qld.gov.au. The guide covers maximum deposits, written contracts, and consumer protections.
Key actions listed by the QBCC
- Before hiring any tradie in Queensland, check their QBCC licence and compliance history at qbcc.qld.gov.au. The Digital Licence app, available since 30 September 2025, also allows on-the-spot credential verification.
- For residential building or renovation work valued over $3,300 in Queensland, confirm the licensed contractor has a QHWS policy in place before work begins - this cover is mandatory.
- Review the QBCC's Home Owner Hub (free five-step online guide) for information on maximum deposits, written contracts, and consumer protections before signing anything. Available at qbcc.qld.gov.au.
- QBCC licence holders can download their Digital Licence through the Queensland Government's Digital Licence app.
This is a plain-English summary for information only, not legal or compliance advice. Always check the official source or consult a qualified professional.