The best builders never stop checking.
Every contractor and every employee on your job, checked against licence, ABN, ASIC and financial standing, continuously, not once at onboarding.
Who is it for?
The Builder Medium-Rise Licence is designed for construction professionals who want to expand beyond small residential projects but aren’t yet looking for the unlimited scope of the Open licence. It suits Builders, Construction Managers, Project Managers, and Business Owners delivering projects up to three storeys, including townhouses, apartments, schools, and commercial buildings. It’s also a strong next step for Low-Rise licence holders who are ready to scale their business or career.
What does the licence allow?
With a QBCC Builder – Medium-Rise Licence, you can:
- Carry out and manage building work on Class 1 or Class 10 buildings (houses, garages, sheds).
- Build and supervise up to 3 storeys on Classes 2–9 buildings (apartments, offices, schools, retail, hospitality), excluding Type A construction.
- Oversee non-structural building work on any building, regardless of size or classification.
- Prepare plans and specifications for your personal use, or for building work you personally perform.
- Until 2 May 2030, you may also install and maintain: Fire collars and fire-rated penetrations, Fire-rated joint sealing, Fire and smoke walls and ceilings
What is not covered by this licence?
This licence does not allow you to:
- Perform a completed building inspection for a buyer or interested party.
- Personally carry out building work requiring: A separate fire protection licence (beyond the temporary allowances above), or Another occupational licence (e.g. plumbing, electrical) unless you also hold that licence
- Supervise or contract work involving: Type A construction on Classes 4–9 buildings, or any building taller than three storeys
Eligibility criteria
To apply, you must satisfy QBCC’s licensing standards:
- Be assessed as fit and proper to operate.
- Hold valid permission to work in Queensland (citizenship, visa, or Immicard).
- Provide photographic proof of identity.
- Provide evidence of your business structure (sole trader, company, partnership, or trust).
Technical classification
The Builder – Medium-Rise Licence bridges the gap between small-scale and open-class construction. It gives you legal authority to manage and deliver projects up to three storeys, positioning you for larger tenders and a broader project portfolio. You must demonstrate both qualifications and experience:
- A formal qualification from a Registered Training Organisation (RTO)
- Successful completion of the appropriate course for this class
- A Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) certificate issued by an RTO.
- A qualification statement from an approved authority
- At least 4 years’ experience in medium-rise building work or QBCC-approved equivalent experience.
- OR 2 years’ experience if you hold a trade qualification in carpentry or bricklaying/blocklaying.
- Evidence must cover supervisory, administrative, and management responsibilities, supported by referee reports
Commonly Asked Questions
Who needs a QBCC Builder – Medium-Rise Licence?
Builders and managers delivering projects up to three storeys, including apartments, schools, retail, and commercial developments.
What building work can I carry out with this licence?
You can manage all Class 1 and 10 projects, plus Classes 2–9 up to three storeys, and oversee non-structural work on any building.
What work is excluded from this licence?
You cannot work on Type A construction, buildings taller than three storeys, or personally perform work that requires another occupational licence.
Do I need both qualifications and experience to apply?
Yes. You must hold a relevant qualification (or RPL) and demonstrate 2–4 years of industry experience, depending on your trade background.
How is this licence different from Low-Rise or Open?
Low-Rise limits you to buildings under 2000m², while Open removes all restrictions. Medium-Rise gives you a middle ground: up to three storeys, non-Type A construction.
How long does the application process take?
If you hold the required qualification and documentation, approval may take 4–6 weeks. If you need to complete RPL or a new qualification, expect 6–10 weeks.
Why upgrade to Medium-Rise?
It broadens your project scope, boosts your business’s competitiveness, and sets you up for the eventual move to an Open Licence.
Pricing packages
Our 15-min Free consultation helps us understand your licensing enquiry, your background, and confirm whether QBCC Express is the right partner for you. There’s no pressure to commit to anything on the spot.
If it’s a good fit and you want to take the next step, you can then choose to book a 30-min Strategy Session ($352), which is where we dig into your eligibility and map out your pathway. Until then, the choice is entirely yours.
If you proceed with our All-done-for-you licence support package, the QBCC application fees are included in the package price, so there are no surprise government charges on top. One package, one price. All prices exclude GST and are tax deductible.
For applicant who hold the right qualification and experience
- Licence eligibility and scope confirmation
- Correct licence class selection
- QBCC-compliant resume and experience mapping
- Evidence checklist and Document Collation Plan
- Referee strategy and statement support
- Licence Application preparation and lodgment
- QBCC follow ups and progress tracking until outcome
For applicants who need fast track RPL to meet QBCC technical requirements
- Include Licence Support Package
- RPL Enrolment fees for required units from Cert IV, Diploma or Advanced Diploma in Building and Construction
- Fast track RPL coordination with partner RTO
- Gap identification and unit mapping to QBCC licence requirements
- Done for you RPL evidence build and submission support
- RTO liaison and assessment management
- Qualification completion confirmation
- Certification or Statement attainment
Strategy Session
$352
Include GST.
- Correct Licence class
- Qualification and RPL Requirements
- Risk flags and experience gap
- Timing and sequencing
- Strategy and Next steps