• All Industries
  • Aged Care Disability
  • Automotive
  • Bricklaying / Blocklaying
  • Building & Construction
  • Carpentry & Joinery
  • Childcare & Education
  • Community Service
  • Concreting
  • Engineering
  • Health & Beauty
  • Horticulture
  • Hospitality and Tourism
  • Kitchen, Bathroom & Laundry Renovation
  • Landscape Construction
  • Other Trade Courses
  • Painting & Decorating
  • Plumbing
  • Roof Tiling
  • Short Courses
  • Wall & Ceiling Lining
  • Wall & Floor Tiling
  • Waterproofing
  • White Collar Courses
Let qualify me, qualify you
Let qualify me, qualify you
Building & Construction Qualify Me Sydney Trades Qualification

QBCC : QBCC when do I and don't I need a trade licence in QLD?

Hey there! I’m Sam from Qualify Me!, Australia’s leading RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) company. If you’ve been working in the construction industry for a while but don’t have formal qualifications, you’re probably already aware of how important a carpentry qualification can be in unlocking new opportunities.

Here at Qualify Me!, I’ve helped hundreds of people just like you turn their hard-earned skills into nationally recognised qualifications. Today, I want to talk about how getting your CPC30220 Certificate III in Carpentry can set you up for a successful career and how you can achieve this qualification quickly without going through years of training.

Why You Need a Carpentry Qualification

Let’s face it—Australia’s construction industry is booming, and qualified carpenters are in high demand. But without formal qualifications, you might be missing out on better pay, more jobs, and higher job security.

As I always say, “A formal qualification doesn’t just validate your skills—it opens doors to bigger and better projects.

You might already have years of experience, but a nationally recognised carpentry qualification is what employers are looking for. It’s a must if you want to work on major construction sites or start your own carpentry business.

Fast-Track Your Carpentry Qualification with RPL

Here’s the good news: you don’t need to go back to TAFE or spend years in an apprenticeship to get qualified. With Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), you can use the skills and experience you already have to fast-track your carpentry qualification.

At Qualify Me!, we’ve designed a streamlined process that’s quick and easy:

  1. Skills Assessment: We start with a free skills assessment to determine your eligibility.
  2. Portfolio of Evidence: You’ll gather proof of your experience (such as photos of your work, references, and certificates).
  3. Competency Check: We review your skills and ensure everything meets the standards.
  4. Get Qualified: Once everything’s in order, you’ll receive your nationally recognised carpentry qualification.

This process could save you years of formal training. And the best part? You’ll be ready to take on bigger roles and increase your earning potential.

"At Qualify Me!, we believe in turning your experience into qualifications fast, so you can keep moving forward in your career without slowing down."

The Skills You’ll Gain with a Carpentry Qualification

When you complete your carpentry qualification, you’ll gain a wide range of practical skills that are essential on any job site:

  • Framing and formwork: You’ll learn how to construct the skeleton of buildings, which is a fundamental skill for any carpenter.
  • Blueprint reading: Understanding how to read and interpret building plans is crucial for accurate construction.
  • Building codes and safety regulations: You’ll be fully aware of Australia’s construction laws and ensure that every project meets safety standards.

These skills will make you stand out from the competition and give you the confidence to take on more complex projects.

Career Opportunities with a Carpentry Qualification

Once you’ve secured your CPC30220 Certificate III in Carpentry, you’ll have access to a wide range of job opportunities:

  • Residential Carpenter: Work on homes, renovations, and extensions.
  • Commercial Carpenter: Get involved in large-scale construction projects like office buildings, schools, or shopping centres.
  • Formwork Carpenter: Specialise in creating the molds for concrete structures, an essential skill for infrastructure projects.

And if you’re thinking about starting your own carpentry business, a formal qualification is your golden ticket to get registered and insured as a contractor.

"With a carpentry qualification, you’re not just another tradie—you’re a skilled professional who’s ready to take on any job."

Frequently Asked Questions About Carpentry Qualifications

How long does it take to get a carpentry qualification through RPL?

The RPL process can be completed much faster than traditional training methods. At Qualify Me!, we typically see our clients qualify within a few months, depending on how quickly they can gather their evidence.

What is the CPC30220 Certificate III in Carpentry?

The CPC30220 Certificate III in Carpentry is the nationally recognised qualification for carpenters in Australia. It covers essential skills like framing, formwork, and blueprint reading.

Can I apply for RPL if I have informal carpentry experience?

Absolutely! Recognition of Prior Learning is designed for people who’ve gained their skills on the job, whether that’s through informal work or previous training.

Why should I get a carpentry qualification if I already have experience?

Without a formal qualification, you could be missing out on better job opportunities and higher pay. A carpentry qualification shows employers that your skills meet national standards and that you’re ready to take on more responsibility.

How does getting qualified through Qualify Me! help me locally?

As Australia’s leading RPL company, Qualify Me!, we specialise in helping local tradies fast-track their qualifications. This gives you an edge in your local job market, helping you stand out from the crowd and secure better contracts.

How to Get Started with Qualify Me!

Ready to take the next step? At Qualify Me!, we make the process as simple as possible. Whether you’ve been working as a carpenter for 2 years or 20, we can help you get your carpentry qualification fast. And if you’re looking for a local RPL company you can trust, you can always check out our Google reviews here.

"Getting your qualification shouldn’t slow you down. With Qualify Me!, it’s quick, easy, and tailored to your experience."

Conclusion

A carpentry qualification is the key to unlocking better job opportunities, higher pay, and more job security in Australia’s booming construction industry. With Qualify Me!, you can fast-track your certification and start enjoying the benefits of being a fully qualified carpenter.

QBCC : Licensing in Queensland (QLD) is fairly straightforward. Here is a short and clear explainer from the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) official site for when you need and when you don't need a licence including how you can get qualified fast via RPL if you have some experience. Trust you will find it helpful

When you don't need a licence from QBCC in QLD

In certain circumstances, you don’t need a Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) licence. This includes carrying out building work as:

  • an employee of a licensee where your employer holds the correct QBCC licence to cover the work you are doing. However, as an employee, you cannot carry out occupational building work or carry out work as a site supervisor unless you hold the appropriate licence
  • sub-trade contractor for a licensed trade contractor where the licensed trade contractor holds the correct QBCC licence to cover the work you are doing
  • an unlicensed person working in partnership with a licensee where the licensed partner holds the correct QBCC licence for the work you are doing. However, as an unlicensed partner, you cannot offer to tender or enter into a contract to carry out building work and you must meet QBCC’s fitness and propriety conditions
  • an owner carrying out work on your own property where the work is valued at no more than $11,000 or as an owner builder carrying out building work under a permit
  • an asbestos removal worker – contact Workplace Health & Safety
  • a demolition worker – contact Workplace Health & Safety
  • an insulation installer – the installation of home insulation in Queensland does not require an licence
  • an electrician carrying out electrical work (an electrician cannot carry out building work without a QBCC licence) – contact the Electrical Safety Office in Workplace Health & Safety
  • a handyman – as long as the value is no more than $3,300, isn't electrical or plumbing work and doesn't require an occupational licence.
  • an architect - carrying out building design work or building inspections on all types of buildings - contact Board of Architects Queensland

When you need a licence from QBCC in QLD

In Queensland, individuals and companies must hold a QBCC licence to carry out:

  • any building work valued over $3,300
  • building work valued over $1,100 where it involves Hydraulic Services Design
  • building work of any value where it involves:
    • Drainage
    • Plumbing and Drainage
    • Gas Fitting
    • Termite Management – Chemical
    • Fire Protection
    • Completed Residential Building Inspection
    • Building Design – Low Rise, Medium Rise and Open
    • Site Classification.

Note:

  • The value of building work is the reasonable cost to a consumer of having the work carried out by a licensed contractor on the basis that materials, labour and GST are included, regardless of who supplies the materials. This can sometimes be referred to as the 'market value'.
  • A trust cannot obtain a QBCC licence. The trustee of the trust must apply for the licence.
  • Registered architects are able to carry out building design work and perform building inspections on all types of buildings.  To check if your architect is registered, visit www.boaq.qld.gov.au

Licence classes

The scope of work for each QBCC licence class outlines the range of building work for that class. The building work you do must be covered by your licence. For some work, you may need more than one licence class.

Do employees need a licence?

If you are overseeing work that involves plumbing and drainage, gas fitting, pest control or fire protection, you need a QBCC licence regardless of the value of the work.

If you are an employee, you don’t need a licence unless you become responsible for:

  • Overseeing and directing the building work.
  • Ensuring the work is of a competent standard, i.e. free of defects.
  • Ensuring the work complies with the plans and specifications."

You don't need a licence for every role

We often get asked about certain roles and whether they need to be licenced. Not all jobs in building and construction need a licence. For example, an arborist Brisbane dont need a licence from QBCC. Neither do independent building inspectors performing building and pest inspections Perth.

Need more information?

By now, I’m sure you have a few questions you need to be answered. Call Qualify Me on 1800 765 295 and we’d be happy to help you get sorted.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

6 comments on “QBCC : QBCC when do I and don't I need a trade licence in QLD?”

  1. Hi, I have just moved here from nsw and wish to continue my handyman business, but I apparantley need a license as alot of my work is deck building and typically is more then $3300,
    I have run my handyman business for about 4 years but I am not a carpenter, I have a trade qualification in fitting machining and have a cert 4 in front line management, most of my working career outside of my business has been in facilities maintenance and management, am I able to obtain some type of license in qld as most of the decks I build are between $5000 and $8000

crosschevron-down