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Reviewed by Warwick Smith • 14 Jun 2026

QBCC-approved material  •  NONACCABE QBCC Owner Builder Course  •  Online & self-paced  •  Training since 2007
QBCC-APPROVED  •  NONACCABE

QLD owner builder course — the QBCC-required course, online

The QBCC requires this course before you apply for your owner builder permit. Complete it online, then lodge your Certificate of Completion with your application.
  • QBCC-approved course material, the NONACCABE QBCC Owner Builder Course
  • 100% online and self-paced
  • Certificate of Completion emailed as soon as you finish
  • Valid for your permit application for 5 years
Instant access after payment  •  Certificate emailed on completion  •  Pay with card or 4 payments with Afterpay
An owner builder reading building plans on their Queensland house site

What is the QLD owner builder course?

ABE Education delivers it online as the QBCC-approved NONACCABE QBCC Owner Builder Course — Queensland owner builder training, online. Finish it and you receive a Certificate of Completion to lodge with your permit application.

Course at a glance

Duration
Self-paced
Delivery
100% online
Assessment
Online questions + a final assessment
Pass mark
80%, 3 attempts
Award
Certificate of Completion (NONACCABE QBCC Owner Builder Course)
Regulator
QBCC
Validity
5 years
 Source: QBCC — Required courses for owner builders

About the QBCC approval

The NONACCABE QBCC Owner Builder Course has been approved by the QBCC.
QBCC approval applies to the approved course material only and does not constitute an endorsement of ABE Education or any other ABE Education products or services.

Do I need an owner builder permit (and this course)?

You need an owner builder permit in Queensland if your residential building project is valued at more than $11,000. To get the permit, the QBCC requires you to complete an approved owner builder course first, unless you are exempt.

Who can apply

  • The owner, with your name on the title
  • A director of the company that owns the property
  • A lessee, where the property is under a lease

What the permit lets you do, and what it doesn't

You can
  • Manage and supervise your own residential build as head contractor
  • Engage licensed trades to carry out the work
  • Take on building work above $11,000 (up to $27,500 for farm buildings)
You can not
  • Do plumbing, drainage, gasfitting or chemical termite work unless licensed
  • Access the Queensland Home Warranty Scheme for your work
  • Apply for another owner builder permit within 6 years (exemptions apply)
IMPORTANT: Your owner builder course must be no more than 5 years old on the day you apply for the permit. The QBCC can only issue one owner builder permit every 6 years, although you can apply for an exemption in some circumstances.
✓ Verified 24 Jun 2026 • Sources: QBCC — About owner-building • QBCC — Apply for an owner builder permit

What are the QBCC requirements for an owner builder?

You need an owner builder permit to undertake or supervise residential building work valued at more than $11,000, including GST — what a licensed contractor would charge, even if the work is done for free. For genuine farm buildings the value can be up to $27,500. On jointly-owned land, one person completes the course and becomes the Nominated Permit Holder; a notification stays on the title for 7 years.

What you must do, and what you cannot

  • Get certifier approval before any work, including earthworks (the certifier cannot approve until the QBCC issues your permit).
  • Only engage licensed contractors for building work — you cannot do plumbing, drainage, gasfitting or chemical termite management unless licensed.
  • Meet your work health and safety duties for everyone on site under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.
  • You cannot remove more than 10m² of non-friable asbestos, or carry out fire-protection or mechanical-services work valued over $1,100, without the relevant licence.
  • Build to NCC 2022 — new QLD homes must meet a minimum 7-star energy rating (mandatory since 1 May 2024; NCC 2022 current until 1 May 2027).

Who is exempt

Current QBCC licence holders are automatically exempt, as are holders of certain qualifying licences and some named professionals (e.g. a building surveyor or civil engineer). The QBCC cannot grant an exemption for building experience alone, and any exemption must be approved before you apply.

How to apply

Check permit needed

Confirm you need a permit — project valued over $11,000 including GST.

Confirm eligibility

You must be a title holder, company director or lessee.

Estimate the value

Estimate the work at what a licensed contractor would charge, including GST.

Complete the course

Finish this owner builder course, or have an exemption approved, before you apply.

Gather documents

A title search under 30 days old, your Certificate of Completion under 5 years old (or exemption letter), and proof of identity.

Describe the work

Provide a detailed description of the work, including carports, pools or pergolas.

Sign the form

All title holders sign; the course-completer is the Nominated Permit Holder.

Pay and lodge

Pay the $493.59 application fee and lodge in person or by mail.

IMPORTANT
Average processing time is 30 working days
You cannot start any work, including excavation, until the permit is issued.
✓ Verified 24 Jun 2026  •  Sources: QBCC — About owner-building  •  QBCC — Owner-builder responsibilities  •  QBCC — Required courses for owner builders  •  QBCC — Apply for an owner builder permit  •  QBCC — Fees for owner-builders

How does the online course work?

The course is 100% online and self-paced, so you can start straight after you pay and finish in a few hours. Work through the modules, complete the assessment, and your Certificate of Completion is emailed to you the moment you finish, ready to lodge with the QBCC.

step 1

Enrol and start

Pay $179 and you get instant access — nothing to post, no class to attend.

step 2

Complete online

Work through the modules at your own pace on any device; assessed by online questions and a final assessment, 80% pass mark with 3 attempts.

step 3

Get your certificate

Your Certificate of Completion is emailed as a PDF the moment you finish — lodge it with your QBCC owner builder permit application.

✓ Verified 24 Jun 2026  •  Sources: QBCC — Apply for an owner builder permit

Ready to start your QLD owner builder course?

✓ QBCC-approved material (NONACCABE) • Online & self-paced • Certificate on completion

Instant access • Certificate emailed on completion • Apply to the QBCC for your permit

What will you learn in the owner builder course?

The course runs to 19 modules covering the whole build: the responsibilities you take on, what your QBCC permit authorises, the insurance you need before work starts, design and building approvals, site safety, estimating and finance, scheduling and coordinating licensed trades, paying them correctly, and moving in. It also covers the Queensland-specific requirements — the 7-star energy standard and the QLeave levy.

What topics does the course cover?

The course follows the order of a real build — from deciding whether to proceed, through approvals, safety and money, to handover.
Insurance is the module most owner builders wish they had read twice. Cover has to be in place before work starts, and a sum insured set on build cost rather than replacement value can leave you carrying the shortfall.

What you'll be able to do

  • Work out whether your project needs an owner builder permit, and what that permit does and does not let you do
  • Put the right insurance in place before work starts, and set a sum insured that won't leave you under-covered
  • Check that your designer, engineer and every trade holds a current licence or registration
  • Run the site safely as a PCBU under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011
  • Estimate the build, allow a contingency, take a documented proposal to a lender, and meet your GST, ABN and QLeave obligations
  • Sequence and schedule the build, and pay progress claims only for work you have verified on site
  • Close the build out — final inspections, the certificate of classification, and the documents to keep

How much does the QLD owner builder course cost?

The course is $179, and that is everything ABE Education charges. The QBCC charges a separate owner builder permit application fee of $493.59, paid directly to the QBCC. So the all-in cost to be ready to build is $672.59.
QLD owner builder course
Paid to ABE Education
$179.00
Owner builder permit application fee
Paid to QBCC (separate)
$493.59

Total

Course + government fee
$672.59
The $179 course fee covers your study and certificate; pay in full or in 4 instalments with Afterpay. The $493.59 permit fee is set by and paid to the QBCC.
✓ Verified 23 Aug 2026 • Source: QBCC — Fees for owner-builders

What else does your owner builder project need?

Your owner builder permit and this course are the start. Depending on your site and budget, you may also need separate safety training, you must keep deposits and contracts within legal limits, and there are levy, insurance and dispute rules that apply to owner builders.

Other safety training you may need

  • Asbestos awareness — if your project involves disturbing or removing asbestos, separate asbestos awareness training may be needed under Queensland work health and safety laws.
  • Owner‑builders in Queensland generally need a valid General Construction Induction (White Card) if they will personally carry out or supervise construction work on site, because WHS laws require anyone performing construction work to hold this card. 
This is separate from the owner builder course — check current requirements with Workplace Health and Safety Queensland and the QBCC.                                                      

Deposits and contracts

When you engage licensed trades, the deposit is capped under Schedule 1B of the Queensland Building and Construction Commission Act 1991:
  • Level 1 contracts (under $20,000): deposit capped at 10% of the contract price.
  • Level 2 contracts ($20,000 or more): deposit capped at 5% of the contract price.

The long service leave levy

The QLeave portable long service leave levy applies to building work valued at $150,000 or more. Owner builders are exempt from paying the levy, but must still notify QLeave and quote your owner builder permit number.

Insurance and warranty

Owner builders cannot access the Queensland Home Warranty Scheme for their own work. Cover over $3,300 applies only when a licensed contractor is engaged and pays the premium. ABE does not provide insurance. Queensland Home Warranty Scheme

If something goes wrong

A dispute with a trade contractor you have engaged can be taken to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT).
Selling within 6 years of finishing the work? You must warn buyers in writing before they sign. See QBCC — Sell an owner-builder property
✓ Verified 24 Jun 2026 • Sources:   QBCC — Owner-builder responsibilities  •  Workplace Health and Safety Queensland  •  QLeave — long service leave levy  •  QBCC — Queensland Home Warranty Scheme  •  QBCC — Sell an owner-builder property

QLD owner builder course — frequently asked questions

Is the owner builder course mandatory in Queensland?

Yes. Unless you qualify for an exemption, the QBCC requires you to complete an approved owner builder course before it will issue your owner builder permit. Current QBCC licence holders are automatically exempt.

Do I need a permit for my project?

You need an owner builder permit if your residential building project is valued at more than $11,000, including GST. For genuine farm buildings the threshold is $27,500. The value is what a licensed contractor would charge.

How long does the course take?

The course is online and self-paced, and most students finish in a few hours. You can start the moment you pay and stop and resume whenever you like, on any device.

Is there an exam, and how am I assessed?

You work through the modules and complete online questions plus a final assessment. The pass mark is 80%, and you get 3 attempts. There is no time limit and no exam to sit in person — it is all online and self-paced.

What do I get when I finish?

You receive a Certificate of Completion, emailed as a PDF the moment you finish. It is the evidence you lodge with your QBCC owner builder permit application, and it is valid for 5 years.

How much does it all cost?

The course is $179. That covers everything ABE Education charges — the modules, the assessment and your certificate. There are no extra fees.

The QBCC charges a separate owner builder permit application fee of $493.59, paid directly to the QBCC when you lodge your application. So the all-in cost to be ready to build is $672.59.

You can pay the $179 in full, or in four instalments with Afterpay.

Is this an owner builder licence?

People often call it a licence, but in Queensland it is an owner builder permit issued by the QBCC. The course gives you the Certificate of Completion you need before you can apply for that permit.

How often can I get an owner builder permit?

The QBCC can only issue you one owner builder permit every 6 years. In some circumstances you can apply for an exemption to obtain another permit within that period.

Is the owner builder course approved by the QBCC?

Yes. The NONACCABE QBCC Owner Builder Course has been approved by the QBCC (interim approval). QBCC approval applies to the approved course material only and is not an endorsement of ABE Education or its other products or services.

Do I need a White Card as well? 

A general construction induction (White Card, CPCCWHS1001) may be needed depending on your circumstances. It is separate from the owner builder course; confirm what applies to you with the QBCC before you apply for your permit.

Why complete your course with ABE Education?

ABE Education delivers the QBCC-approved owner builder course directly, online, with the certificate you need emailed the moment you finish. The course is developed and reviewed by named, credentialed people, and ABE has been training owner builders since 2007.

QBCC-approved course

ABE Education delivers QBCC-approved NONACCABE course

100% Online & Self-Paced

Finish in a few hours on any device, from your phone to your desktop.

Instant Certification

Your Certificate of Completion is emailed to you the very moment you pass.

Industry Proven

Over 31,000 students trained since 2007.

Expertly Developed

Created by a licensed builder and independently reviewed to ensure complete compliance and regulatory currency.

Who develops and reviews this course?

This course is developed by Dominic Ogburn, Course Developer at ABE Education, and the published page is independently reviewed for compliance and currency by Warwick Smith. Last reviewed June 2026.
Course Developer
Dominic Ogburn
CEO, ABE Education Pty Ltd
  • Licensed NSW Builder (Lic. 369417C)
  • NSW Government Award Winner (2005)
  • Standards Australia committee member
  • 40+ years in Australian construction
Cited in NSW Parliament and six SMH articles. As CEO of ABE Education, he has trained 31,000+ students.
Compliance & Currency Reviewer 
Warwick Smith
Senior Consultant, CDRG
  • 27+ years in the VET sector
  • Former CEO, Training Aid Australia
  • Former CEO, Australian Institute of Compliance Professionals
  • Specialist in construction, compliance and operational design
Independently reviews ABE Education's published course pages for legislative currency and regulatory accuracy.

Ready to get your certificate?

Complete the QBCC-required course online and lodge your certificate with your permit application.
Instant access  •  Certificate emailed on completion · Apply to the QBCC for your permit
© 2026 ABE Education Pty Ltd ABN 64 125 455 272. The NONACCABE QBCC Owner Builder Course has been approved by the QBCC; QBCC approval applies to the approved course material only and is not an endorsement of ABE Education or its other products or services. ABE Education is not a Registered Training Organisation.
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ABE Education delivers government-approved Owner Builder and CPD training online across five states. Australian-owned and operating since 2007, trusted by 31,000+ students.
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 02 9798 5000

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 info@abeeducation.edu.au
 02 9798 5000

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