Published Friday, 21 December, 2007 at 11:06 AM
Minister for Public Works, Housing and Information and Communication Technology
The Honourable Robert Schwarten
NEW LAWS PREVENT UNFAIR COMPETITION BY UNLICENSED CONTRACTORS
New laws which come into effect today will compel unlicensed building contractors to state that they cannot perform building works valued in excess of $1,100 when advertising for work.
Housing Minister Robert Schwarten said that the tough new rules are included in amendments to the Queensland Building Services Authority Act.
Contractors who don’t follow the new rules can be fined $7,500, he said.
“Licensed building contractors operating in Queensland have been required to state their name and licence number in all advertisements since 1991,” Mr Schwarten said.
“This lets consumers know they are dealing with an appropriately licensed contractor, and allows them to check the contractor’s record using BSA’s free online licence search facility.
“However, unlicensed building contractors advertising in exactly the same way as licensed contractors are currently not regulated and this has allowed unfair competition by unlicensed contractors.”
Other QBSA Act changes coming into effect today will encourage an increase in the number of licensed site supervisors with the introduction of a new class of site supervisor licence.
Mr Schwarten said the amendments are another example of the BSA working smarter to protect the Queensland public and booming building industry.
BSA General Manager Ian Jennings said the easiest way for a building contractor to avoid the new rules was to apply for a BSA licence.
“The BSA licence is a symbol of consumer protection demonstrating that the licence holder has met minimum standards that allow the licensee to deal directly with the public,” Mr Jennings said.
“The requirement for unlicensed contractors to make this statement serves as an important warning to consumers and protects appropriately licensed contractors against unfair competition from unlicensed cowboys.
“Advertising requirements for licensed contractors remain unchanged under the amendment.”
Mr Jennings said certain types of building work such as plumbing and drainage, gas fitting, pest control and fire protection work required a BSA licence regardless of the value of the work.
Media contact: Minister Schwarten’s office (07) 3237 1832
BSA: (07) 3404 3027
Housing Minister Robert Schwarten said that the tough new rules are included in amendments to the Queensland Building Services Authority Act.
Contractors who don’t follow the new rules can be fined $7,500, he said.
“Licensed building contractors operating in Queensland have been required to state their name and licence number in all advertisements since 1991,” Mr Schwarten said.
“This lets consumers know they are dealing with an appropriately licensed contractor, and allows them to check the contractor’s record using BSA’s free online licence search facility.
“However, unlicensed building contractors advertising in exactly the same way as licensed contractors are currently not regulated and this has allowed unfair competition by unlicensed contractors.”
Other QBSA Act changes coming into effect today will encourage an increase in the number of licensed site supervisors with the introduction of a new class of site supervisor licence.
Mr Schwarten said the amendments are another example of the BSA working smarter to protect the Queensland public and booming building industry.
BSA General Manager Ian Jennings said the easiest way for a building contractor to avoid the new rules was to apply for a BSA licence.
“The BSA licence is a symbol of consumer protection demonstrating that the licence holder has met minimum standards that allow the licensee to deal directly with the public,” Mr Jennings said.
“The requirement for unlicensed contractors to make this statement serves as an important warning to consumers and protects appropriately licensed contractors against unfair competition from unlicensed cowboys.
“Advertising requirements for licensed contractors remain unchanged under the amendment.”
Mr Jennings said certain types of building work such as plumbing and drainage, gas fitting, pest control and fire protection work required a BSA licence regardless of the value of the work.
Media contact: Minister Schwarten’s office (07) 3237 1832
BSA: (07) 3404 3027