What the form is for
The QBCC has published a form that lets Queensland plumbers and drainers holding a provisional occupational licence apply to upgrade to a full occupational plumber, drainer or restricted licence under section 24 of the Plumbing and Drainage Act 2018. The summary notes this is a standard licensing form rather than a new rule change, and there is no application deadline - it is available whenever a provisional licensee is ready to upgrade.
Upgrade pathways
Applicants can upgrade through one of two pathways:
- The Australian Plumbing Apprenticeship Pathway, which requires confirming the applicant meets technical requirements plus, for drainers, at least 12 months' supervised practical experience
- The Return to Trade Pathway, for those who held a relevant Queensland occupational licence within the past 10 years
What the form requires
The form requires personal and licence details, a signed declaration, payment before processing, and optional photo ID for the licence card.
Fees
Fees apply under the schedule effective 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027. Retired licensees not intending to do paid work may be eligible for a reduced fee by completing a statutory declaration.
Key actions
- If you hold a provisional plumber, drainer or restricted licence in Queensland and now meet the upgrade criteria, download the form from qbcc.build (the QBCC resources page) and complete it on-screen or by hand
- Email the completed form to licence.applications@qbcc.qld.gov.au, or submit in person at a QBCC Customer Service Centre, or post it to GPO Box 5099, BRISBANE QLD 4001
- Pay the relevant fee before submitting - Plumber $167.85, Drainer $167.85, Combined Plumber and Drainer $335.71, Restricted licence $103.84 (1 year term, effective 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027) - noting the request cannot be processed until payment is received
- If claiming drainage experience, obtain the supervising licensee's details and dates of supervised work for inclusion in Section 3a, attaching extra pages if needed
- If retired and not intending to do paid plumbing or drainage work after the upgrade, complete the Statutory Declaration on page 6, witnessed by a Justice of the Peace, Commissioner for Declarations, Lawyer, Conveyancer or Notary Public, to access the lower retired licence fee
- If the applicant also holds a related QBCC Act contractor, nominee supervisor or site supervisor licence, check the associated licence table on page 8, as a fee may not be required for the corresponding occupational licence
This is a plain-English summary for information only, not legal or compliance advice. Always check the official source or consult a qualified professional.