There’s something almost every construction professional in Queensland has done, without ever realising it was unlawful.
I’ve done it too.
It usually happens on a normal day on site.
The licensed Site Supervisor calls in sick.
Or he’s on leave.
Or he’s dealing with another project.
Or he’s stuck in traffic.
And someone in the office or site says the sentence that puts everyone at risk:
“Can you just cover the site for a bit?”
It sounds harmless.
It feels like teamwork.
And in construction, helping out is part of the culture.
But the moment you step into that “temporary” supervision role, even for an hour, you’re legally seen as supervising building work.
And under Queensland law, if you supervise building work, you must hold a Site Supervisor Licence of the right class.
I didn’t know that at the time.
Most people don’t.
But the law doesn’t care whether you knew.
It only cares whether you were licensed.
This is why so many good PMs, CAs, SEs and foremen unknowingly expose themselves and their employers, to huge compliance risk.
Why stepping in “just for today” is still supervision
Supervision isn’t about wearing a title.
It’s not about being the most senior person on the team.
And it’s not about how many years of experience you have.
Supervision means:
- Giving direction to trades
- Checking work
- Approving stages
- Coordinating daily activity
- Managing safety or access
- Signing off on progress
- Making decisions about the physical work
If you do any of those things, the law sees you as supervising.
And if you do it without the correct licence class?
You’re unlicensed.
Even if the company asked you to help.
Your title doesn’t protect you, the right licence does
This is where most professionals get caught.
They think:
“I’m a PM, not a Site Supervisor.”
“I’m just helping for today.”
“I’m experienced, so it’s fine.”
“No one told me I needed a licence.”
Unfortunately, none of these matter once the QBCC is involved.
If you are supervising building work, you must hold:
- A Site Supervisor Low Rise, Medium Rise, or Open licence
- The correct class for the type of building
- The correct scope for the size of the work
If something goes wrong while you are “helping out”:
- A defect
- An audit
- A safety issue
- A client complaint
You, personally, can be held responsible.
This is the part no one tells you.
Why this happens everywhere (even at big companies)
You’d think this only happens at smaller builders. But it happens at every level, Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3, boutique, commercial, residential.
Because every project has the same challenge:
Human beings need time off: Sick days, Annual leave, Appointments, Family responsibilities.
And when the licensed person steps away, someone else steps in.
But unless that person has the correct Site Supervisor licence, the company is unintentionally breaching the law.
Why getting your own licence protects everyone
This is why I tell every PM, CA, SE, and aspiring leader:
Get your Site Supervisor Licence.
Even if it’s not your title.
Even if you’re not the main supervisor.
Even if you think you won’t need it.
Because one day, the licensed person won’t be there. And when the team needs you, you’ll step in, legally, safely, confidently.
You protect:
- Yourself
- Your employer
- Your site team
- Your future career
Licensing is more than a requirement. It’s protection.
If you want help getting licensed
This is the exact reason QBCC Express exists. We help construction professionals get the licence they need without confusion, stress, or delays.
If you want clarity on which licence you need, or help preparing your application properly, reach out. You don’t need to navigate this alone.
Why choosing the right licence matters
Having the wrong licence can lead to:
- Big fines
- Project delays
- Contract issues
- Insurance problems
- Liability for defects
- Suspension of work
- Loss of reputation
One wrong licence can affect your entire career or business.
Do I need a Site Supervisor Licence if I only supervise for one day?
Yes. if you supervise site solo, even one day of supervision requires the correct QBCC Site Supervisor Licence.
Can a PM or CA supervise work without a licence?
No. If their actions count as supervision, they must hold the correct licence if they supervise building work solo.
What happens if unlicensed supervision is reported?
The individual and the company can both be fined by the QBCC.
Does experience replace the need for a licence?
No. Experience does not protect you legally.
How do I know which Site Supervisor licence class I need?
It depends on the building type, size, and scope. QBCC Express can help assess this for you.