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Queensland regulation
This regulation sets out the minimum financial requirements that building and construction contractors in Queensland must meet to get — and keep — their contractor's licence. Think of it as the financial fitness test that the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) runs on builders, tradespeople, and other construction professionals.
Licensees are sorted into categories based on how much money they earn (their "maximum revenue"):
Your category determines what financial paperwork you must provide and how much financial muscle you need to demonstrate.
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Direct links to the current provisions in Queensland Building and Construction Commission (Minimum Financial Requirements) Regulation 2018.
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View on official registerSourced from Queensland Legislation (legislation.qld.gov.au), CC BY 4.0.
You must hold a minimum level of net tangible assets — basically, the value of what you own minus what you owe, excluding things like goodwill or brand value ("intangible assets"). Builders must hold at least $46,000 in NTA.
The law is very specific about:
You must maintain a current ratio of at least 1:1 — meaning your short-term assets (things you can convert to cash within 12 months) must be at least equal to your short-term debts. This ensures you can pay your bills.
Depending on your category, you must regularly give the QBCC:
You must report within set timeframes if your finances drop significantly (e.g., NTA falls by more than 30% for smaller operators, or 20% for larger ones).
Certain licence types (designers, fire protection specialists, project managers, etc.) must hold professional indemnity insurance (insurance that covers you if your professional advice or design causes harm to a client). Minimum amounts vary by licence type.
It is an explicit financial requirement that licensees pay subcontractors and suppliers on time. Disputes can pause this obligation, but once resolved, payment must follow quickly.
This regulation is designed to protect homeowners, subcontractors, and suppliers by ensuring that building companies have enough financial substance to complete their work and pay their bills. If you're a builder who goes broke mid-project, the consequences for clients and tradies can be devastating — this law is a safeguard against that.