The QBCC’s annual report for 2019-2020 is now available at www.qbcc.qld.gov.au/qbcc-annual-report-2019-2020. This report articulates the QBCC’s overall performance in a range of service delivery areas and information on the QBCC’s objective of providing timely, accurate, fair and transparent services.

During 2019-2020, the QBCC issued over 100,000 licences, received over 5000 building dispute complaints and issued 977 directions to rectify. While decisions related to these matters (and many others) are reviewable, only 831 applications for internal review were made and only 213 matters were appealed to the QLD Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT). Notably, of the appeals to QCAT, only 14 were successful in having the decision overturned.

In terms of timeliness, the annual report provides that, on a number of key measures, the QBCC is exceeding its strategic delivery targets. For example, in 2019-2020:

  • License applications were processed in an average of 17 days (compared to a target of 30 days).
  • Over 1600 investigations were completed in relation to offences for unlicensed contracting, security of payment, domestic building contracts, insurance and advertising.
  • 83 per cent of early dispute resolution cases were finalised within 28 days (compared to a target of 80 per cent).

It is vitally important that anyone that feels aggrieved by a decision of the QBCC, pursue their appeal rights under the Queensland Building and Construction Commission Act 1991, or make a complaint to the QLD Ombudsman. As a QLD Government statutory authority, the QBCC is committed to continuous improvement and constituents are encouraged to take advantage of the QBCC’s customer feedback portal, which provides a quick, user-friendly method of submitting complaints and suggestions. Further information about submitting a complaint can be found at: https://www.qbcc.qld.gov.au/how-send-feedback

Whilst our office will continue to assist and call for reviews and improvements for all government processes, we also need constituents to lodge appeals and make complaints through every available official channel, as it is obvious that these statistics are being used to judge performance and the need for any such reviews.