Owner builder course QLD: what you need before your permit

Why become an owner-builder?

Build your home your way. As an owner-builder, you are in charge. You choose the design details, the materials, the trades and the pace. You decide what gets done, when, and by whom.

Take control of the cost. You take on the head contractor role yourself, so you are not paying a builder to run the job. You can do much of the work with your own hands, shop around for materials, and choose which trades to hire and when.

Put in your own work. Renovate, extend, or build the garage, shed, pool or pergola yourself, instead of waiting on someone else's schedule.

Finish with a home that is done properly. Your QBCC permit lets you do the work legally. You still use licensed trades for plumbing, drainage and gas fitting, and where your project needs building approval, a building certifier signs off the finished work. You get the freedom of doing it yourself, and the build still meets the rules.

Why do the owner-builder course?

It is your first step to the permit. Unless you are exempt, QBCC will not issue an owner-builder permit without a course completion certificate.

You learn to run the build. The course covers the skills a head contractor needs: reading plans, estimating and costing, contracts, and planning and supervising the work. That helps you keep the budget and the schedule on track, and talk to your trades with confidence.

Study around your life. It is online and self-paced, so you fit it around work and family, wherever you are in Queensland.

Do you need an owner-builder permit in Queensland?

You need a permit if you want to do or supervise a building project worth more than $11,000 on your own land, instead of employing a licensed builder. For farm buildings the limit is $27,500.

Work out the value at trade prices for labour and materials, including GST. That applies even if you get the work done for free or pick the materials up second hand.

You must have the permit before you start any work on the site.

Who can apply?

You can apply if you are a person listed on the property title, a director of the company that owns the property, or a lessee with the owner's permission.

As an owner-builder you can renovate, alter or extend your home, or build a garage, carport, shed, pool or pergola. You cannot do plumbing, drainage or gas fitting yourself unless you hold that licence. You still need a licensed tradesperson for that work.

Who does not need the course?

Current QBCC licence holders are exempt. Some professionals and people with certain qualifications can apply to QBCC for an exemption. Building experience on its own does not count. Everyone else must complete the course.

What the course covers

• WHS requirements on a construction site
• How to read working drawings and plans
• Estimating, costing and contracts
• How to plan, organise and supervise the work
• Your obligations under the Queensland owner-builder scheme

How the online course works

1. Book and pay online. There are no prerequisites to enrol.
2. Complete a short language, literacy, numeracy and digital check in your student account.
3. Work through the modules at your own pace. You have 3 months to finish.
4. Receive your Statement of Completion. It is emailed to you when you finish, and always available to download from your student account.

How much does the owner-builder course cost in Queensland?

See the Owner Builder QLD course page for the current price. The QBCC permit application fee is separate from the course.

Then you apply to QBCC for your permit

The course is the education step. The permit is a separate application to QBCC.

You will need:

• your course completion certificate, no more than 5 years old
• a current title search, no more than 30 days old
• photo ID

You complete, pay and submit the application in one go. QBCC usually processes applications within 30 working days. Do not begin any work on the site, including excavation, until your permit is issued.

Do you need an asbestos awareness course?

You do if your house was built before 1990, or if your work could disturb asbestos. QBCC does not set one particular course. Edway's online Asbestos Awareness course is self-paced. You do not attach the certificate to your permit application, but QBCC can ask to see it.

How long does the course stay valid?

Your course must have been completed within the last 5 years when you apply for your permit.

Things to weigh up first

Owner-building suits some projects and not others. Before you commit:

• Owner-builders cannot get cover under the Queensland Home Warranty Scheme.
• QBCC issues one owner-builder permit per person every 6 years.
• A note of the owner-builder work goes on your property title. If you sell within 6 years of finishing the work, you must tell the buyer in writing.

Next step

Start the Owner Builder QLD course online today.