According to the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) page dated 31 August 2021, the licence includes retaining walls of a height that does not require engineering certification under a local law; paving or concrete for landscaping that is not intended to carry vehicular traffic; specified structures; landscaping drainage; tennis or other sporting courts; and prefabricated sheds, including associated concrete slabs, with a floor area of not more than 10m². The QBCC states that, from 1 October 2020, licensees who worked on tennis or other sporting courts before the commencement of the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (Structural Landscaping Licences) Amendment Regulation 2019 are protected from prosecution for unlawful building work under the expanded landscaping scope. Figures checked 1 October 2026.
What work is grouped under the licence?
The QBCC groups the scope into the following work areas:
| Work group | What the QBCC scope includes |
|---|---|
| Retaining walls | Retaining walls of a height that does not require engineering certification under a local law. |
| Paving and site preparation | Preparing a site and laying paving or concrete for landscaping where it is not intended to carry vehicular traffic. |
| Structures | Preparing, fabricating and erecting carports, decking, fences, gazebos, pergolas and ornamental structures. This also includes installing prefabricated sheds, including associated concrete slabs, with a floor area of not more than 10m². |
| Drainage | Installing surface and subsoil drainage systems for landscaping work. |
| Sporting courts | Constructing, maintaining and repairing tennis or another sporting court, including preparing or excavating the site, using concrete for construction, maintenance or repair, and applying materials or treatments to the court surface. |
The scope also includes incidental work of another class. That wording should not be treated as blanket permission to undertake every task associated with a landscaping project.
When might another occupational or specialist licence be required?
The structural landscaping licence is not a blanket approval for all work on a landscaping site. Important boundaries include:
- A retaining wall is outside the listed item if its height requires engineering certification under a local law.
- Paving or concrete intended to carry vehicular traffic is outside the listed paving and concrete item.
- The prefabricated-shed item does not extend to a floor area greater than 10m².
- Any other task outside the scope described by the QBCC is not covered merely because it occurs on the same project.
Occupational or other specialist licensing may still be required for excluded work. Check the current QBCC page or ask the regulator to assess the actual scope before treating the work as structural landscaping.
Who must meet the eligibility requirements?
Before applying and paying, applicants must be able to meet all requirements for the licence type. The QBCC says an applicant must also:
- Be fit and proper to operate.
- Have permission to work in Queensland. The QBCC lists citizen, visa and Immicard as the parenthetical categories on its page.
- Provide photographic proof of identity.
- Provide evidence of the business structure if operating under a trading name, company, partnership or trust.
The licence type and the applicant’s circumstances determine which eligibility requirements apply.
How much does the application cost?
For a contractor-type licence, the QBCC determines the fee using annual turnover, also called maximum revenue (MR). A current individual QBCC licence holder applying for another licence class receives a reduced fee.
The QBCC lists the following amounts:
| Licence category | Maximum revenue | Listed total application fee | Listed fee for a current QBCC licence holder |
|---|---|---|---|
| SC1 | MR up to $200,000 p.a. | $773.89 | $438.81 |
| SC2 | MR up to $800,000 p.a. | $920.68 | $501.47 |
| Cat 1-2 | MR up to $12 million p.a. | $1180.19 | $678.72 |
| Cat 3-7 | MR over $12 million p.a. | $1696.50 | $942.15 |
A printed certificate identifying which QBCC licence is held is optional. It costs an additional $35.18 and can be selected on the application form.
The QBCC states that fees and charges increase on 1 July each year. It also records that fees and charges increased on 1 July 2026 in line with legislative requirements.
Changing the licence type or increasing a contractor’s MR adjusts the licence fee. The QBCC says it will contact the applicant with details of the adjusted fee. Contact the QBCC for specific fee, charge or price details.
How do I apply?
The QBCC application process is:
- Confirm that the licence class covers the proposed scope of work.
- Identify the required licence type.
- Gather supporting documents.
- Download and complete the application form.
- Pay the fees and lodge the application.
Applicants should confirm they can meet every eligibility requirement before applying and paying.
How long does processing take?
The QBCC says most application types are usually fully processed within a few weeks, although some take longer. As a guide, it advises allowing around 8 weeks.
Processing may take longer where:
- financial information needs analysis;
- a technical qualification is not prescribed and requires comparison mapping;
- claimed experience needs assessment against the scopes of work for a particular licence class;
- verification of claimed experience is problematic;
- a fit-and-proper assessment is required;
- there are problems with fee payment or the application form is incomplete;
- application volumes are high;
- additional information is needed to progress the application; or
- other reasons apply.
The QBCC’s processing guidance is not an approval or completion guarantee.
What happens after QBCC decides?
If an application is approved, the QBCC posts a printed licence card and licence letter showing the licence number and the scope of work for the licence class.
If an application is unsuccessful, the QBCC says it will refund the licence fee but retain the application-processing cost.
What should I check before starting work?
Before quoting for or starting a project:
- Check the current QBCC regulator page against the actual scope of work.
- Check whether a retaining wall requires engineering certification under the applicable local law.
- Separate structural landscaping work from any occupational or specialist-licensed work.
- Read the policy’s Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and check its cover, conditions and exclusions for the proposed activity. Holding a QBCC licence does not by itself establish that an insurance policy responds.
This is general information, not financial or legal advice. Check the current regulator page and your policy’s PDS before relying on the scope described here.
Sources
FAQ
Does the licence cover every retaining wall?
The listed scope covers retaining walls at a height that does not require engineering certification under a local law. If certification is required, that work is outside the listed item and may require occupational or other specialist licensing.
Can I install a prefabricated shed larger than 10m² under this licence?
The QBCC’s prefabricated-shed item covers installation, including associated concrete slabs, where the floor area is not more than 10m². A larger shed is outside that item, so check with the QBCC about any other licence that may apply.
Is paving intended for vehicular traffic included?
No. The listed paving and concrete scope is for landscaping and must not be intended to carry vehicular traffic. Vehicular paving or concrete is outside that item and may require other occupational or specialist licensing.
What sporting-court work is included?
The scope covers constructing, maintaining and repairing tennis or another sporting court. This includes preparing or excavating the site, concrete for construction, maintenance or repair, and applying materials or treatments to the court surface.
Partner links. Using them costs you nothing extra and may earn us a commission.