BSA LICENCE AUDIT SHOWS BRISBANE CONTRACTORS ARE DOING THE RIGHT THING
Published Wednesday, 09 January, 2008 at 10:00 AM
Minister for Public Works, Housing and Information and Communication Technology
The Honourable Robert Schwarten
A Queensland Building Services Authority licence “blitz” has shown that most Brisbane contractors are doing the right thing and working with the appropriate licence, Minister for Public Works, Housing and ICT Robert Schwarten announced today.
Mr Schwarten said the blitz, conducted late last year, detected just 37 suspected unlicensed contractors out of 1038 interviews conducted in the Brisbane region.
State-wide, 61 suspected unlicensed contractors were found, representing just 2% of 2779 interviews conducted.
“Brisbane continues to be a building hot spot, with approximately $5 billion worth of building projects in the Brisbane region insured with BSA,” Mr Schwarten said.
“Licence audits such as this one aim to detect unlicensed contractors unlawfully performing building work so that appropriate action can be taken.
“The BSA’s licensing audits target all types of building work in all areas of Queensland and are conducted randomly to allow BSA to assess the level of unlicensed contracting in the industry.”
Mr Schwarten said licensing audits received wide-ranging support from licensed contractors and industry associations.
“Blitzes are another example of how the BSA is actively discouraging unlicensed cowboys, and helping the skilled and licensed contractors achieve a level playing field,” he said.
“Any unlicensed contractor detected during a blitz will be fined.
“I encourage home owners to always engage licensed contractors who have proven they have the skills and training to obtain a licence.”
Members of the public can check to see if a contractor has a current and appropriate licence by using BSA’s free online licence search facility at www.bsa.qld.gov.au.
For more information about the services offered by the BSA, call 1300 BSA BSA (1300 272 272).
Media contact: Minister Schwarten’s office (07) 3237 1832
BSA (07) 3404 3027
Mr Schwarten said the blitz, conducted late last year, detected just 37 suspected unlicensed contractors out of 1038 interviews conducted in the Brisbane region.
State-wide, 61 suspected unlicensed contractors were found, representing just 2% of 2779 interviews conducted.
“Brisbane continues to be a building hot spot, with approximately $5 billion worth of building projects in the Brisbane region insured with BSA,” Mr Schwarten said.
“Licence audits such as this one aim to detect unlicensed contractors unlawfully performing building work so that appropriate action can be taken.
“The BSA’s licensing audits target all types of building work in all areas of Queensland and are conducted randomly to allow BSA to assess the level of unlicensed contracting in the industry.”
Mr Schwarten said licensing audits received wide-ranging support from licensed contractors and industry associations.
“Blitzes are another example of how the BSA is actively discouraging unlicensed cowboys, and helping the skilled and licensed contractors achieve a level playing field,” he said.
“Any unlicensed contractor detected during a blitz will be fined.
“I encourage home owners to always engage licensed contractors who have proven they have the skills and training to obtain a licence.”
Members of the public can check to see if a contractor has a current and appropriate licence by using BSA’s free online licence search facility at www.bsa.qld.gov.au.
For more information about the services offered by the BSA, call 1300 BSA BSA (1300 272 272).
Media contact: Minister Schwarten’s office (07) 3237 1832
BSA (07) 3404 3027