Licensing

MECHANICAL SERVICES LICENSING FRAMEWORK CONTINUES TO ROLL OUT IN QUEENSLAND

The Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) is continuing to work with licensees and industry to rollout the new mechanical services licensing framework.

To date, a total of 542 mechanical services licence applications have been lodged, with a total of 180 licences granted. A total of 204 licensees have taken advantage of fee waivers when applying, which were made available via the transitional arrangements for their mechanical services stream.

Fee Waivers Still Available for Eligible AirConditioning and Refrigeration Contractor Licensees for a Limited Time

Existing Mechanical Services – Air-Conditioning Refrigeration (Limited Design and Unlimited Design) Contractor licensees are reminded that if they have been undertaking scopes of work that now fall under the Mechanical Services – Plumbing licence class, they will need to apply for this new licence. These licensees may be eligible for a free Mechanical Services – Plumbing licence provided: • The application is made by 30 June 2020; • The applicant has the required technical qualifications; and • The applicant can show they have performed mechanical services plumbing work (or employed workers to carry out this work) for a minimum period of six months prior to 1 January 2020.

The Mechanical Services Plumbing Licence Experience Requirements factsheet outlines clear examples of acceptable experience. Please note that the fee exemption is not available for existing Nominee Supervisors or Site Supervisors licensees.

Apply Now to Take Advantage of Transitional Arrangements for Qualifications and Experience

Existing Plumbing and Drainage Contractor licensees may be able to use their experience alone to satisfy the technical qualification requirements for a Mechanical Services – Plumbing licence. This is known as an alternative qualification pathway. These licensees must demonstrate six months’ experience in performing mechanical services plumbing work.

A factsheet detailing the required technical qualifications and experience for mechanical services plumbing is available on the QBCC website (www.qbcc.qld.gov.au).

Note: relevant experience must be provided for mechanical services – plumbing work, NOT regulated plumbing work. The Mechanical Services Plumbing Licence Experience Requirements factsheet outlines clear examples of acceptable experience.

QBCC licensees with an existing QBCC Gasfitting licence may be eligible for a Mechanical Services – Medical Gas licence using the alternative qualification pathway provided for under the transitional arrangements.

The Mechanical Services Medical Gas Licence Experience Requirements factsheet outlines clear examples of acceptable experience to provide.

Applications can take six to eight weeks to assess and process. Therefore, applicants using the alternative qualification pathways are encouraged to lodge their applications as soon as possible to ensure their licence is issued by 1 July 2020.

Webinar Recordings are Now Available

The QBCC recently hosted a series of helpful information webinars for each of the mechanical services streams. The webinars covered topics such as when you need to submit your application, what makes you eligible for fee waivers, which technical qualifications are needed, and what options are available without technical qualifications.

Visit the Education and Engagement Industry Events page to watch recordings of the webinars, and view participant questions and answers for each webinar.

Looking for a Registered Training Organisation (RTO)?

Information about how to apply for recognition of prior learning and details for RTOs for mechanical services technical qualifications are now available on the Mechanical Services Technical Qualification Pathways And Case Studies page on the QBCC website.

Here you will also find a series of case studies to help you understand when you may need to engage an RTO for assessment of your current skills or training.

Learn More about the Licensing Framework

Visit the mechanical services webpages to access detailed information for each mechanical services stream, including timelines for licencing and transitional arrangements.

A reminder that licensees who are members of industry bodies are encouraged to seek assistance from those organisations to understand the new licensing framework.

How to Apply

The easiest way to apply for a mechanical services licence is by using the online licence application form, which is available via the myQBCC portal (https://my.qbcc.qld.gov.au). The online form makes the application process convenient and efficient.

For more information, visit www.qbcc.qld.gov.au.

Article supplied by the Queensland Building and Construction Commission