Before you make an application
Parties are required to participate in a dispute resolution process with the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) before making a commercial or domestic building dispute application to QCAT.
A letter from the QBCC advising of the outcome of this process must be provided when commencing a QCAT application. Failure to participate in a QBCC dispute resolution process before filing an application for a building dispute may result in the dismissal of the application.
QCAT decides disputes related to building activities including:
- domestic and commercial building work
- disciplinary proceedings against building certifiers and contractors.
QCAT also reviews decisions made by:
- the QBCC related to disciplinary proceedings, licencing and permits
- the QBCC related to rectification of work, insurance claims, exclusions and bans for domestic building work
- an adjudication registrar.
In deciding domestic building disputes, QCAT has no monetary limit.
In deciding commercial building disputes, QCAT has a monetary limit of $50,000 or more if both parties agree.
QCAT cannot review a decision an adjudicator made under the Building Industry Fairness (Security of Payment) Act 2017.
If you wish to make a complaint against a builder, please contact the Queensland Building and Construction Commission.
The Department of Housing and Public Works' Development Tribunals review local councils' and private building certifiers' decisions. QCAT cannot review these decisions.