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Owner Builder Course QLD Online: Course, Permit and White Card Requirements Explained
Looking for an owner builder course online in QLD? Learn about QBCC course, White Card, permit and asbestos training requirements before you apply.
Planning to become an owner builder in Queensland?
Before you start organising trades or breaking ground, there are several requirements you may need to work through — including an owner-builder course, White Card, QBCC owner-builder permit and, depending on your project, asbestos awareness training.
The requirements are different from those in other Australian states, and completing an owner-builder course does not by itself give you permission to start construction.
This guide explains how the Queensland owner-builder process works, what training is currently required and where an online QLD owner builder course fits into the process.
Do You Need an Owner Builder Permit in QLD?
In Queensland, you generally need a QBCC Owner-builder permit if you want to undertake or supervise building work valued at more than $11,000 including GST on:
your own land
company-owned land where you are a company director
land you lease, provided you have the landowner's permission
Different rules apply to farm buildings, where work valued up to $27,500 may be undertaken without an owner-builder permit.
Importantly, QBCC says the owner-builder permit needs to be approved before you start the work.
How Is the $11,000 Project Value Calculated?
This is an important detail because the project value isn't simply what you happen to spend.
QBCC says the value needs to include the cost of all labour and materials required to complete the project, including GST.
If you're receiving discounted or free labour, you still need to estimate what it would normally cost to engage a licensed contractor to perform that work. Similarly, materials need to be valued appropriately even if you obtained them free, second-hand or through salvage.
So don't assume your project falls below the $11,000 threshold simply because you're doing some of the work yourself.
Do You Need to Complete an Owner Builder Course in Queensland?
In most cases where you're applying for an owner builder permit, yes.
QBCC requires the nominated permit holder to have completed the required owner-builder course within the previous five years, unless an exemption applies.
Current QBCC licence holders are exempt from completing the owner-builder course. QBCC also provides an exemption pathway for certain people with relevant interstate licences, technical qualifications or professional backgrounds.
If you're relying on an exemption rather than completing the course, QBCC says you should obtain the exemption before applying for your owner-builder permit.
Can You Complete an Owner Builder Course Online in QLD?
Yes.
QBCC states that owner-builder courses are offered by Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) and that, depending on the provider, training may be delivered online or in a classroom. Course costs also vary between providers. Owner Builder Institute is working hard behind the scenes to become a listed Owner Builder Course provider in QLD... Watch this space!
This means someone searching for an owner builder course online in QLD may be able to complete the required training remotely through an appropriate provider offering online delivery.
However, always check that the particular course and provider meet the current QBCC requirements before enrolling.
Is Owner Builder Institute's QLD Course Available Yet?
Not yet.
Owner Builder Institute is currently developing its Queensland owner builder training offering.
Until our QLD course becomes available, Queensland applicants should use the current QBCC information to identify an appropriate course provider that meets the requirements for their owner builder permit.
This is deliberately different from our WA Owner Builder Course, which is currently available online.
What If the Property Is in Joint Names?
Here's some good news for couples and jointly owned properties:
You don't both need to complete the owner-builder courses.
QBCC says that where the property is jointly owned, only one person needs to complete the required courses. That person becomes the Nominated Permit Holder.
The person completing the courses must be an eligible person associated with the property, such as someone listed on the property title.
This can avoid couples unnecessarily paying for and completing the same training twice.
Do Owner Builders Need a White Card in QLD?
Yes — the Queensland owner-builder requirements include construction safety training.
QBCC's current guidance for owner builders identifies the required training applicants need to complete before obtaining their permit, including the applicable construction safety requirements. The nominated permit holder should make sure the required training is current and meets QBCC's application requirements.
A White Card relates to general construction induction and is separate from the owner-builder course itself.
In other words, completing one doesn't automatically replace the other.
Do You Need Asbestos Awareness Training?
Sometimes.
QBCC says asbestos awareness training is required where:
the house was built before 1990, or
the proposed work involves renovating, altering, extending, improving or repairing a building where asbestos may be present
QBCC does not prescribe one mandatory asbestos-awareness course, although it identifies nationally accredited training as one suitable option.
Interestingly, you don't ordinarily need to submit the asbestos-awareness certificate with the owner-builder permit application. However, QBCC says you may be required to produce evidence of the training within 48 hours if requested.
So keep your evidence somewhere accessible.
What Can You Do With a QLD Owner Builder Permit?
An owner-builder permit allows you to take on the role normally occupied by the head contractor for the approved project.
That can include:
engaging contractors
coordinating trades
scheduling construction
managing the project
personally undertaking certain building work you're legally permitted to perform
However, the permit only covers the work described by its conditions.
QBCC warns that an owner builder can be fined for undertaking work outside those conditions.
And becoming an owner builder doesn't suddenly give you every trade licence.
You can't personally carry out work requiring a separate occupational licence unless you hold the appropriate licence.
For a more detailed explanation, read: What Building Work Can an Owner Builder Actually Do?
What Types of Projects Can Be Owner Built in Queensland?
Eligible owner-builder work can include projects such as:
building a new home
renovating or extending a home
garages
carports
residential sheds
residential swimming pools
pergolas and entertainment areas
There are restrictions and exceptions, so the proposed project needs to be checked against the current QBCC rules before assuming it qualifies.
What Happens After You Complete the Course?
Completing your owner-builder training is one step in the process, not the final approval.
A simplified pathway looks like this:
1. Check whether your project requires an owner-builder permit
2. Check that you and the project are eligible
3. Complete the required owner-builder training and other applicable training
4. Apply to QBCC for your Owner-builder permit
5. Obtain the necessary building approvals and certification
6. Begin and manage construction in accordance with your permit and approvals
QBCC emphasises that the appropriate building approvals must be in place before work starts. Building certification may also involve mandatory inspections during construction, depending on the project.
Is an Owner Builder Permit the Same as Building Approval?
No.
This distinction is extremely important.
Your QBCC Owner-builder permit authorises you to undertake or supervise the eligible owner-builder project.
Your project may separately require building approval and certification.
QBCC explains that building certifiers assess plans and inspect construction at mandatory stages, which can include stages such as footings or slabs and framing.
Don't assume that receiving your owner-builder permit means you're automatically ready to start construction.
What About the Queensland Home Warranty Scheme?
There is another significant difference owner builders should understand.
QBCC states that owner builders cannot access the Queensland Home Warranty Scheme for their owner-builder project.
QBCC also states that where a contractor performs work for an owner builder who holds the appropriate permit for that work, a Queensland Home Warranty Scheme premium generally isn't payable for that contractor's work.
This is one of the reasons prospective owner builders should understand the responsibilities they're taking on rather than viewing owner building simply as a cheaper way to construct a house.
How Often Can You Get an Owner Builder Permit in Queensland?
Queensland has restrictions relating to previous owner-builder permits.
QBCC specifically identifies a different application process where you've held an owner-builder permit within the previous six years.
If you've owner built previously, check the current QBCC eligibility requirements before enrolling in another course or making plans around a new owner-builder project.
QLD Owner Builder Course and Permit Checklist
Before starting your Queensland owner-builder journey, work through this checklist:
☐ Confirm whether the project exceeds the $11,000 permit threshold
☐ Check that the proposed work is eligible for owner building
☐ Confirm you're eligible to be the permit holder
☐ Complete the required owner-builder course or obtain an applicable exemption
☐ Make sure your course completion falls within QBCC's five-year requirement
☐ Meet the applicable construction induction/White Card requirements
☐ Complete asbestos-awareness training if required
☐ Apply for your QBCC Owner-builder permit
☐ Obtain the necessary building approval and certification
☐ Check that contractors hold the licences required for their work
☐ Don't start owner-builder work until the required permit and approvals are in place
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