Published Tuesday, 29 January, 2008 at 10:47 AM
Minister for Public Works, Housing and Information and Communication Technology
The Honourable Robert Schwarten
MILESTONE FOR BSA: 70,000 LICENSED TRADESPEOPLE
The number of tradespeople licensed by the Queensland Building Services Authority has reached 70,000, Minister for Public Works, Housing and Information and Communication Technology Robert Schwarten announced today.
“This record number of licensees reflects the healthy state of Queensland’s building and construction industry,” Mr Schwarten said.
“Five years ago the BSA licensed around 52,000 individuals and companies of which 75% lived and worked in south east Queensland with the remainder worked throughout regional Queensland.
“Today, approximately 30% of BSA’s licensees are working and living in regional Queensland and I would expect this growth to continue because of the increased building activities in these areas.”
Mr Schwarten said there was more than $10.5 billion worth of building projects state-wide currently insured with BSA but despite unprecedented levels of work in the building industry, the number of disputes being reported to BSA continued to decrease.
“Since 2003/02 there has been a 33% increase in the number of building projects insured with BSA, yet the number of disputes lodged with BSA has decreased by 2.8%,” he said.
“This achievement can be credited to improved contractor work standards and the BSA’s education program and dispute prevention and resolution mechanisms.”
The BSA’s licensing regime was introduced in 1991 to ensure tradespeople demonstrated the necessary managerial and technical skills and met experience and financial requirements to perform building work.
Under the Queensland Building Services Authority Act 1991 all builders, building designers and trade contractors must be licensed to carry out building work.
“Queensland has the most rigorous regulatory framework of any state, designed to provide the best possible protection for our consumers,” Mr Schwarten said
“Most building work performed in Queensland, and valued in excess of $1,100, must be carried out by either a licensed contractor or by an owner builder.
“Some building work, such as plumbing and drainage; gas fitting; pest control; and fire protection can only be undertaken by a licensed contractor.
“The BSA recommends the use of a licensed contractor even for small jobs because the licence indicates that the contractor has met certain minimum standards which will result in the consumer getting a better job done.”
“When you use a BSA-licensed contractor for the construction of a home, or major alterations or extensions, you are protected by the best Home Warranty Insurance Scheme in the country.
“The insurance policy provides protection against: non-completion of the work covered by the contract; defective construction; and subsidence or settlement of the building.”
For information on how BSA can assist through the building process phone 1300 BSA BSA or visit www.bsa.qld.gov.au.
Media contact: Scott Chandler on (07) 3237 1832
“This record number of licensees reflects the healthy state of Queensland’s building and construction industry,” Mr Schwarten said.
“Five years ago the BSA licensed around 52,000 individuals and companies of which 75% lived and worked in south east Queensland with the remainder worked throughout regional Queensland.
“Today, approximately 30% of BSA’s licensees are working and living in regional Queensland and I would expect this growth to continue because of the increased building activities in these areas.”
Mr Schwarten said there was more than $10.5 billion worth of building projects state-wide currently insured with BSA but despite unprecedented levels of work in the building industry, the number of disputes being reported to BSA continued to decrease.
“Since 2003/02 there has been a 33% increase in the number of building projects insured with BSA, yet the number of disputes lodged with BSA has decreased by 2.8%,” he said.
“This achievement can be credited to improved contractor work standards and the BSA’s education program and dispute prevention and resolution mechanisms.”
The BSA’s licensing regime was introduced in 1991 to ensure tradespeople demonstrated the necessary managerial and technical skills and met experience and financial requirements to perform building work.
Under the Queensland Building Services Authority Act 1991 all builders, building designers and trade contractors must be licensed to carry out building work.
“Queensland has the most rigorous regulatory framework of any state, designed to provide the best possible protection for our consumers,” Mr Schwarten said
“Most building work performed in Queensland, and valued in excess of $1,100, must be carried out by either a licensed contractor or by an owner builder.
“Some building work, such as plumbing and drainage; gas fitting; pest control; and fire protection can only be undertaken by a licensed contractor.
“The BSA recommends the use of a licensed contractor even for small jobs because the licence indicates that the contractor has met certain minimum standards which will result in the consumer getting a better job done.”
“When you use a BSA-licensed contractor for the construction of a home, or major alterations or extensions, you are protected by the best Home Warranty Insurance Scheme in the country.
“The insurance policy provides protection against: non-completion of the work covered by the contract; defective construction; and subsidence or settlement of the building.”
For information on how BSA can assist through the building process phone 1300 BSA BSA or visit www.bsa.qld.gov.au.
Media contact: Scott Chandler on (07) 3237 1832