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.
A consumer, contractor, subcontractor or building industry professional may have a complaint related to domestic or commercial building work including:
- an unpaid debt
- the performance of the work
- a contract for the work
- a claim of negligence, nuisance or trespass other than a claim for personal injuries.
The dispute may be between:
- a building owner and a building contractor
- two or more building contractors
- a building owner or a building contractor, and any of the following:
- architects
- engineers
- surveyors
- quantity surveyors
- electricians or electrical contractors
- suppliers and manufacturers of materials used in the building work.
For QCAT to hear the dispute it must be about:
- the erection or construction of a building
- the renovation, alteration, extension, improvement or repair of a building
- the provision of electrical work, water supply, sewerage or drainage or other like services for a building
- the demolition, removal or location of a building
- any site work including the construction of a swimming pool, retaining structures, driveways or landscaping but only if associated with the erection, construction or renovation of a house or building
- the preparation of plans and specifications, or bills of quantity related to the building work
- the inspection of a completed building
- work prescribed under a regulation.