FAQs

FAQs for building owners

I'm not sure if I need to register

  • The best place to obtain a full understanding of the safer buildings process is by referring to this website and the Guidelines for assessing buildings with combustible cladding. This document can be found on the Resources page.

    All buildings which meet the following 4 criteria were required to be registered on the combustible cladding checklist (Checklist):

    1. privately owned building (not owned by the State, Commonwealth or another State)
    2. class 2 - 9 building
    3. of type A or B construction
    4. for which a building development approval was given, after 1 January 1994 but before 1 October 2018, for building work to build the building or to alter the cladding on the building.

    If your building meets all of these criteria, you were required to register your building on the Checklist and complete part 1. A complete guide with steps for all parts of the Checklist is available on the Building Owner page.

  • If your building meets the criteria for registration on the Checklist, it is a legal requirement that it be registered and an exemption is not possible by law.

    If you believe you have mistakenly registered your building when it was not required to be included according to the criteria listed below, please email qbcc.saferbuildings@qbcc.qld.gov.au with information about your building.

    1. privately owned building (not owned by the State, Commonwealth or another State)
    2. class 2 - 9 building
    3. of type A or B construction
    4. for which a building development approval was given, after 1 January 1994 but before 1 October 2018, for building work to build the building or to alter the cladding on the building.

Why do I need to register?

  • This part of the Checklist criteria relates to building development approval, not when the building was built. If building development approval for the building was given after 1 January 1994 but before 1 October 2018, for building work:

    • to build the building; or
    • to alter the cladding on the building;

    then the building must be registered if it meets the other 3 criteria:

    1. privately owned building (not owned by the State, Commonwealth or another State)
    2. class 2 - 9 building
    3. of type A or B construction

    If your building meets all of these criteria, you were required to register your building on the Checklist and proceed to part 1. A complete guide with steps for all parts of the Checklist is available on the Building Owner page.

  • The presence of cladding on a building is not a criteria for determining if your building needs to be registered on the combustible cladding checklist (Checklist). All buildings that meet the following 4 criteria must be registered whether there is cladding or not:

    1. privately owned building (not owned by the State, Commonwealth or another State)
    2. class 2 - 9 building
    3. of type A or B construction
    4. for which a building development approval was given, after 1 January 1994 but before 1 October 2018, for building work to build the building or to alter the cladding on the building.

    By completing part 1 (and if necessary part 2) of the Checklist, consideration will be given to the materials used on the building. The Checklist will exit your building if it does not need to progress further (e.g. no cladding).

  • If your building meets all of the criteria, failure to register and complete the Checklist is an offence. You may be fined or prosecuted in the Magistrates Court where you could receive a monetary fine and the Court may order you to complete the Checklist.

Who is a qualified witness?

  • For the purposes of completing the combustible cladding checklist (Checklist) certain documents are required to be witnessed and signed by a qualified witness.

    Those suitable as a qualified witness include:

    • Commissioner for Declarations
    • Justice of the Peace
    • Notary Public - A notary public is a public officer given statutory powers to witness documents
    • Lawyer
    • Conveyancer.

    You can search for a local JP on the Queensland Government website. You may also find a JP at your local shopping centre or pharmacy.

I'm having issues with the online system

  • You need to register on myQBCC before you can access the combustible cladding checklist (Checklist). If you have registered and you think your issue might be related to your browser or other settings you should read the myQBCC Useful System Tips.

    If you are still experiencing problems with access to myQBCC or the Checklist you should send a Feedback & Enquiry Form explaining your issue. You can also call us on 139 333.

  • QBCC can reset that for you. Please call 139 333 and request that your password be reset.

  • Yes. By logging into online system you will be able to see documents you have previously submitted in the Consolidated View page. Under the Action tab, scroll down until you see Download Documents.

    A complete guide with steps for all parts of the Checklist is available on the Building Owner page.

  • No. Under the Building Regulation 2006, completion of the combustible cladding checklist (Checklist) means the completion of the Checklist on the online system established by the Department of Energy and Public Works.

    To satisfy your obligations as a building owner, you must register on the Safer Buildings website and complete the online Checklist, including the upload of all relevant forms.

I've missed a deadline. What do I do?

  • If your building meets the following criteria, you were required to complete the Checklist under the Regulation:

    1. privately owned
    2. class 2 - 9 building
    3. of type A or B construction; and
    4. for which a building development approval was given, after 1 January 1994 but before 1 October 2018, for building work to build the building or to alter the cladding on the building

    Failure to register and complete the checklist is an offence and may result in regulatory action, including monetary penalties and prosecution in the Magistrate's court.

    If you failed to register, you should contact the Safer Buildings Team at qbcc.saferbuildings@qbcc.qld.gov.au. In your email, outline your circumstances and provide the street address for your building.

  • The deadline to complete the Checklist without penalty is now closed. Penalties for delays or a failure to complete the checklist will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Failure to complete the Checklist is an offence and may result in regulatory action.

  • Contact the Safer Buildings Team at qbcc.saferbuildings@qbcc.qld.gov.au. In your email, outline your circumstances and provide the street address for your building. A member of the Safer Buildings Team will then advise you of your next steps.

I think I am in the wrong part of the Checklist

  • If you believe you should have exited at part 1 of the Checklist, or that you should not have registered, please send evidence to the Safer Buildings Team at qbcc.saferbuildings@qbcc.qld.gov.au and they will review your case and advise you of your next steps.

  • A Replacement Checklist allows building owners to replace a certain part of the Checklist, usually to change the answers provided and exit at an earlier part (ie. exiting at part 1 or 2 instead of part 3). A building owner can only request to replace a 'completed' Checklist.

    When making a request to the QBCC Commissioner to replace a Checklist you must include all relevant information that will assist in determining whether your request is reasonable in the circumstances. The request must be made by using the approved form (Form 75 - Replacement Checklist). Please refer to the Fact Sheet - Replacement Checklist found on the Safer Buildings Resources page to assist you with this process.

    The QBCC will consider if the request for a Replacement Checklist is appropriate in the circumstances and notify you if your request has been approved or not.

    If the application is accepted you will be advised by the Safer Buildings Team and given instructions for your next steps.

  • There have been a few instances where buildings owners have uploaded the statutory declaration and selected 'Save' (to save their file) but they have not selected the 'Next' button. Selecting 'Next' will allow your building to exit the Checklist or progress to the next part.

    In order to finalise this matter you will need to access your Checklist again.

    Once you have logged into the Checklist you will be directed to the Consolidated View page where all checklists you have commenced will be listed. The Action tab on the right hand side allows you to continue.

    As the deadline for completing the part 1, 2 and 3A of the Checklist has passed, your building will have progressed. If you believe your building could have exited at part 1 or 2 please contact the Safer Buildings Team at qbcc.saferbuildings@qbcc.qld.gov.au and they will assist you with your next steps.

  • No. There is currently no provision for a building owner to skip part 2. A fire engineer engaged to complete part 3 is qualified to complete the Form 34 - Building Industry Professional Statement required for part 2. A building owner may wish for the two parts to be completed simultaneously. You should discuss this with your fire engineer.

  • A Replacement Checklist allows building owners to repeat a certain part of the Checklist. A building owner can only request to replace a 'completed' Checklist.

    Building owners may not have to complete part 3 of the Checklist if they believe they should have exited at part 2. Under these circumstances a building owner should request a Replacement Checklist.

    When making a request to the QBCC Commissioner to replace a Checklist you must include all relevant information that will assist in determining whether your request is reasonable in the circumstances. The request must be made by using the approved form (Form 75 - Replacement Checklist). Please refer to the Fact Sheet - Replacement Checklist found on the Resources page to assist you with this process.

    The QBCC will consider if the request for a Replacement Checklist is appropriate in the circumstances and notify you if your request has been approved or not.

    If the application is accepted you will be advised by the Safer Buildings Team and given instructions for your next steps.

  • No. The system has been designed so that if the building industry professional is not sure if the building is affected, that it should progressed to part 3. In part 3 a fire engineer will then make the determination of fire risk by applying fire engineering principles.

    The QBCC cannot give you any advice in relation to whether your building is a cladding fire risk as this is the role of the fire engineer.

    Fire engineers who have the appropriate qualifications and are regulated by the Board of Professional Engineers of Queensland, are qualified to make decisions in relation to whether a building represents a fire risk.

I have questions relating to part 3A/3B

  • Part 3 has two steps which have two different deadlines to account for the time that may be required between engaging a fire engineer and their capacity to complete their duties.

    Part 3A

    The deadline for part 3A was 31 October 2019.

    Part 3A of the Checklist requires you to provide details of the fire engineer you have engaged. If you are in part 3 of the Checklist and have not yet provided fire engineer details you should do this as a priority.

    Part 3B

    Part 3B requires you to answer the questions as provided by the fire engineer in the Fire Engineer Statement (Form 35) and to upload all relevant documents.

    The deadline to complete part 3B without penalty passed on 3 May 2021, however building owners should continue to progress their Checklist to completion as soon as possible.

  • The combustible cladding checklist (Checklist) part 2 was developed so that building industry professionals, who have the technical qualifications and knowledge of the BCA requirements, are making the decisions in relation to your building for part 2.

    This includes whether your building is:

    • the relevant 'type of construction' and
    • whether any combustible cladding forms part of, or is attached or applied to an external wall or another external part of the building.

    Questions in part 2 require specialist knowledge of the BCA and its application to buildings. A building industry professional's assessment of these two building attributes will determine whether the building will remain in-scope and require further assessment by a fire engineer in part 3 of the Checklist process.

    Part 3 of the Checklist was developed so that fire engineers, who have the appropriate qualifications and are regulated by the Board of Professional Engineers of Queensland, are making the decisions in relation to fire risk in the context of a building.

    Questions in part 3 require specialist knowledge and the application of fire engineering principles. The questions that fire engineers provide in this part of the Checklist have been developed to provide the building owner with responses about whether or not there is a cladding fire risk.

    A fire engineer is qualified to determine if certain materials will contribute to fire spread.

  • This is a contractual matter that must be decided between the building owner and builder. The QBCC as a Regulator is unable to provide legal advice. We encourage you to seek your own legal advice and explore your options in this regard.

I am an owner with questions about the role of an agent

  • Building owners unable to register and complete the combustible cladding checklist due to certain circumstances can authorise another person to act on their behalf. This is the role of an agent. You and the appointed agent will need to complete part A of the Form 43 - Proof of Agency. The agent will then upload this document into the Checklist evidencing authority to act on your behalf.

    It is essential that a fully completed and signed Form 43 is uploaded before an agent does any act for the owner.

  • If you are an existing body corporate manager and already have authority to act on behalf of the body corporate, you can register and complete the Checklist on behalf of the body corporate.

    You will need to complete part A of the Form 43 - Proof of Agency and upload this document evidencing your authority to act on behalf of the body corporate.

  • The new agent who you are authorising to complete the Checklist needs to create a myQBCC account. They can start this process by visiting the registration page for myQBCC.

    The agent currently responsible for completing the Checklist will need to:

    • login to myQBCC
    • locate the Checklist for the relevant building (if there is more than one listed) and
    • select 'Transfer'.

    The current agent will receive an email which they must then forward to the new agent. This email contains a link and passcode allowing the new agent to accept the transfer.

    On acceptance of this transfer, the new agent will be asked to upload a Form 43 - Proof of Agency before they can continue the Checklist.

    Contact qbcc.saferbuildings@qbcc.qld.gov.au if you require further assistance.

  • You can disengage with your agent and either complete the Checklist yourself or engage another agent. Please refer to the Fact Sheet - Transfer a checklist to a new owner or agent found on the Resources page.

    This fact sheet provides the instructions for this process which includes steps that your current agent must take to progress the transfer.

    The Safer Buildings Team is unable to provide advice in relation to any contractual obligations you may have with your current agent or new agent you wish to engage.

  • The original owner must transfer their authority to you. If this transfer of authority has not occurred you will not be able to access the Checklist for this building. The fact sheet Transfer your building to a new owner or agent provides the steps for this process.

    If you are still experiencing problems with access to myQBCC or with the Checklist you should send a Feedback & Enquiry Form explaining your issue. You can also call us on 139 333.

I am an agent with questions about my role

  • The original agent must transfer their authority to you. If this transfer of authority has not occurred you will not be able to access the Checklist for this building. The fact sheet Transfer your building to a new owner or agent provides the steps for this process.

    If you are still experiencing problems with access to myQBCC or with the Checklist you should send a Feedback & Enquiry Form explaining your issue. You can also call us on 139 333.

  • Your assistance will be required to transfer authority for the Checklist to another agent or to the building owner.

    Please be advised that the Safer Building Team is unable to provide advice in relation to any contractual obligations you may have with the owner.

    To transfer authority to another agent (or the building owner):

    • first access the online system (login into myQBCC) and
    • access the Checklist via the Safer Buildings tab at the top of the myQBCC landing page, then
    • select the building address from the Consolidated View page.

    This Consolidated View will show the building details.

    There are 3 transfer options for you to initiate:

    • Transfer Agent
    • Transfer Ownership or
    • Transfer Agent and Ownership.

    NOTE: The details on this page are pre-populated from the records currently in the Checklist and cannot be changed.

    Selecting 'YES' to the transfer will prompt an email to be sent to you, as initiator of the transfer. You will then need to send this email to the new agent/owner, as it contains the link and passcode needed to accept the transfer.

    The new agent/owner has 14 days to accept the transfer, after which time the link and code will expire and a new transfer will need to be initiated by you.

    If you are changing the agent only, a new Form 43 - Proof of Agency will need to be uploaded into the website before the checklist can be progressed.

    If you are changing the details of the owner of the building, a Form 37 - Change of Building Ownership will need to be signed by all parties, and uploaded into the website before the checklist can be continued.

    The Fact Sheet - Transfer a checklist to a new owner or agent found on the Resources page can assist you further with this process.

I have questions about buying/selling a building registered on the Checklist

  • Before ownership of the building changes, the original owner MUST take certain actions. Penalties may apply for non-compliance.

    To transfer authority for your building's Checklist to another building owner:

    • first access the online system (login to myQBCC) and
    • access the Checklist via the Safer Buildings tab at the top of the myQBCC landing page, then
    • select the building address from the Consolidated View page.

    This Consolidated View will show the building details.

    There are 3 transfer options for you initiate:

    • Transfer Agent
    • Transfer Ownership or
    • Transfer Agent and Ownership.

    NOTE: The details on this page are pre-populated from the records currently in the Checklist and cannot be changed.

    Selecting 'YES' to the Transfer Ownership will prompt an email to be sent to you, as initiator of the transfer. You will then need to send this email to the new owner, as it contains the link and passcode needed to accept the transfer.

    The new owner has 14 days to accept the transfer, after which time the link and code will expire and a new transfer will need to be initiated by you.

    A Form 37 - Change of Building Ownership will need to be signed by all parties, and uploaded into the website before the Checklist can be continued.

    The Fact Sheet - Transfer a checklist to a new owner or agent found on the Resources page can assist you further with this process.

I need more information about building industry professionals/fire engineers

  • No. QBCC is not permitted to make recommendations.

  • If you are dissatisfied with your Building Industry Professional there is a process for you to lodge a complaint. Please refer to the Safer Buildings Complaint Form which details reasons why you may wish to complain and how to lodge the complaint.

    If you engage another Building Industry Professional (BIP) to complete a new Form 34 you may wish to request a Replacement Checklist at part 2 (e.g. if your new BIP has provided a different finding on the building).

    A Replacement Checklist can be requested at any stage and it allows building owners to repeat a certain part of the Checklist, usually for the purposes of changing the previous outcome (e.g. exiting at part 2 instead of progressing to part 3).

    You can only request to replace a completed Checklist.

    When making a request to the QBCC Commissioner to replace a Checklist you must include all relevant information that will assist in determining whether your request is reasonable in the circumstances. The request must be made by using the approved form (Form 75 - Replacement Checklist). Please refer to the Fact Sheet - Replacement Checklist found on the Resources page to assist you with this process.

    The QBCC will consider if the request for a Replacement Checklist is appropriate in the circumstances and notify you if your request has been approved or not.

    If the application is accepted you will be advised by the Safer Buildings Team and given instructions for your next steps.

  • There is no set fee that a building industry professional or a fire engineer can charge, however as members of professional bodies, they are governed by professional standards. Building owners should obtain multiple quotes before accepting work.

  • The QBCC has no authority over the prices set by fire engineers for their services. If you are not satisfied with the initial quote you receive, we recommend you obtain another one.

  • Registered fire engineers can be found by searching the Board of Professional Engineers of Queensland register. The search will need to be filtered to the area of engineering (i.e. fire engineering or fire safety).

    Fire engineers who have conducted a specific course on 'External Fire Spread Risk in Tall Building Design' are listed on the University of Queensland website.

  • The table below provides examples of suitably qualified building industry professionals (BIP).

    Suitably qualified BIP for all building classes Suitably qualified BIP for buildings no more than 3 storeys and less than 2000 metres square in floor area
    • A building certifier (level 1)
    • A building certifier (level 2)
    • A QBCC licensee in at least 1 of the following classes:
      • Builder - Open
      • Builder Design - Open
      • fire safety professional
    • A QBCC licensee in at least 1 of the following classes:
      • Builder - Medium Rise
      • Builder Design - Medium Rise
    • A registered architect
    • A registered engineer in either:
      • civil engineering
      • fire engineering
      • fire safety
      • structural engineering

    Owners can find a BIP in their area by searching for QBCC licensees who have registered with Find a Local Contractor on the QBCC website.

    Owners can also request a list of licensed certifiers from the QBCC by completing the List of Licensed Certifiers Request Form.

    To find a registered Architect, owners can search the Board of Architects of Queensland register.

    Owners who want to engage a registered fire engineer can search the Board of Professional Engineers of Queensland register.

    It is important the BIP is appropriately qualified at the time of completing the Form 34 - Building Industry Professional Statement. If the BIP is not appropriately qualified the Checklist will be incomplete.

I need more information about Affected Building Notices

  • A Fact Sheet - Fire Safety Risk - building owner obligations is available on the website. This fact sheet outlines all of the requirements outlined below and will assist the owner complete their obligations under Part 4A of the Building Regulation 2006, where their building has been identified as a Cladding Fire Risk.

    If a building is found to have a cladding fire risk the building owner must display a Form 42 - Affected Private Building Notice which notifies persons living or visiting the building that it has had a cladding fire risk identified.

    This Form 42 - Affected Private Building Notice must be:

    • displayed in a conspicuous position and
    • securely attached to a wall, or the internal side of a door near a main entry point to the building and
    • if the building has a fire indicator panel - also securely attached to a wall, or the internal side of a door, that is adjacent to the panel.

    The Form 42 - Affected Private Building Notice must be displayed within 60 business days after the building fire safety risk assessment is given to the owner; and until either:

    • the combustible cladding is removed from the building or
    • a building certifier gives the owner a compliance certificate (Form 29) stating that the combustible cladding complies with the Building Code of Australia (BCA).

    Once the Form 42 - Affected Private Building Notice has been displayed the building owner must send the QBCC the Form 76 - Building Owner Compliance Notice (display of affected private building notice) along with photographic evidence.

    A Fact Sheet - How to Display an Affected Building Notice is available on the Safer Buildings website, which will assist the owner in displaying the notice correctly and how to advise the QBCC.

    A Fact Sheet - Notifying occupants of cladding fire risk is available to help you understand your obligations as a building owner to notify tenants and lot owners of a cladding fire risk.

  • Although the building is not yet fully complete, sections 16Z and 16ZA of the Building Regulation 2006, state that if a fire engineer statement states there is a cladding fire risk for a building, the owner must display a notice (an affected private building notice) in the approved form for the building.

    If you have obtained a fire engineer statement stating there is a cladding fire risk for the building, you must display an affected private building notice in the approved form.

    The Fact Sheet - How to Display an Affected Private Building Notice, available on the Safer Buildings Resources page provides more information.

As an owner/agent what are my obligation towards tenants and record-keeping?

  • If a fire engineer states there is a cladding fire risk for the building, and if a building comprises of two or more lots, as prescribed in section 16ZB, subsection (2) of the Building Regulation 2006 (the Regulation) the owner is required to give a copy of the 'building fire safety risk assessment' (BFSRA) to each lot owner and each leasehold interest holder for a lot in the building;

    1. for a person who is a lot owner or leasehold interest holder when the fire engineer statement is given to the owner - within 60 business days after the statement is given to the owner; or
    2. for another person - within 60 business days after the person's name is entered on the body corporate's roll.

    However, an owner is not required to comply with subsection (2) if any of the following happens before the period for complying with the subsection for the person or lot ends

    • the combustible cladding is removed from the building;
    • a private certifier gives the owner a compliance certificate stating that the combustible cladding complies with the BCA;
    • 7 years have passed since a copy of the assessment was given to the QBCC.

    The Regulation requires the BFSRA to be provided and does not allow for other documents or information to be provided as an alternative.

  • The title of section 16ZB of the Building Regulation 2006 is: Giving copy of building fire safety risk assessment to lot owners and tenants.

    The provision at subsection (5) defines a leasehold interest holder.

    In this section, leasehold interest holder, for a lot in a private building, means a person who holds a leasehold interest in the lot.

    Please note, a building owner who fails to comply with their obligations may commit an offence, which may attract a penalty.

  • The building owner must keep the completed combustible cladding checklist (parts 1, 2 & 3), building industry professional statement, fire engineer statement and building fire risk safety assessment for a minimum of seven (7) years (from the date of giving the results to the QBCC) and, if applicable, also keep the records in a storage place required by the Building Fire Safety Regulation 2008.

I'm not the owner/agent but I have questions about a building

  • The Building Owner/Body Corporate are required to register the Building on behalf of individual unit owners. Individual unit owners should not register the building unless they have been authorised to act as an agent for the Body Corporate for the whole building.

    If you have questions about your building you should refer them to the body corporate.

  • The QBCC is unable to provide information about privately owned buildings.

    It is recommended you ask the owner of the building and/or undertake the relevant searches prior to purchasing. You can also consider making an RTI Application to the QBCC.

I have a technical question

  • No. The combustible cladding checklist process was developed so that building industry professionals and fire engineers, who have specialist knowledge, make determinations.

    The QBCC is unable to give technical advice as this is the role of the building industry professional (BIP) and or fire engineer. Please liaise with your BIP or fire engineer to assist you with these enquiries.

  • The QBCC is unable to assist with this enquiry as it is a question best answered by a building industry professional (BIP). It may also be dependent on the particular circumstances of your building.

    A BIP has the appropriate qualifications and knowledge of the National Construction Code and Building Code of Australia to determine whether a shade sail on your building must be considered.

I need more information about the removal of cladding

  • The Safer Buildings program does not require cladding to be replaced, removed or rectified.

    However, if a building owner is advised their building has a cladding fire risk they must:

    • display an Affected Private Building Notice; and
    • notify the QBCC in the approved way; and
    • provide certain documentation to owners and tenants.

    To cease these ongoing obligations, the building owner may:

    • remove the combustible cladding from the building; or
    • obtain a compliance certificate from a building certifier stating the combustible cladding complies with relevant codes and standards.

    During this time, you may also be obligated as a building owner to ensure the safety of occupants by putting measures in place to mitigate the risk of a cladding fire.

    Risk mitigation advice can be provided by a Fire Engineer during part 3B of the Checklist. Risk mitigation measures include, but are not limited to:

    • notifying local fire and emergency services of your building's status
    • immediate, or more frequent, servicing and maintenance of the fire safety system of a building
    • removal of vegetation, vehicles or other flammable items from a building
    • removal of material forming part of, or attached or applied to, an external wall or another external part of a building
    • carrying out more frequent emergency evacuation drills

  • Building owners can elect to remove combustible cladding or material. If you have not commenced works to remove cladding, please contact Safer Buildings to discuss your circumstances.

  • Completed checklist

    If the building has completed the checklist process, and combustible cladding has been removed from a building, a building owner can provide the QBCC with the following documentation to support this position:

    • Any building development approval documentation evidencing the removal such as engagement notices and application details, decision notices, approved plans, certificate of occupancy (Form 11) or any other certificate or document issued relating to the building works
    • A statutory declaration stating the combustible cladding has been removed (a blank statutory declaration is available here)
    • Photographs demonstrating the removal of combustible cladding
    • Invoices evidencing removal of combustible cladding.

    Providing such information would provide evidence of the building's compliance with the Building Regulation 2006 for both the owner and QBCC's records.

    In progress checklist

    If your checklist is still in progress, and you have taken action to remove combustible cladding forming part of, or attached or applied to, an external wall or another external part of the building other than the roof, you will need to engage with a building industry professional (BIP) to complete a new Form 34.

    If the new Form 34 now indicates there is no combustible cladding you may wish to request a Replacement Checklist at part 2. The request must be made by using the approved Form (Form 75 - Replacement Checklist). Please refer to the Fact Sheet - Replacement Checklist found on the Resources page to assist you with this process.

    When making a request to the QBCC Commissioner to replace a Checklist you must include all relevant information that will assist in determining whether your request is reasonable in the circumstances. The new Form 34 and photographs of the before and after works will be useful evidence to provide with your Replacement Checklist Request. If you do chose to remove the cladding, please keep QBCC informed on the status/progress of the works at the building by email to: qbcc.saferbuildings@qbcc.qld.gov.au.

    The QBCC will consider if the request for a Replacement Checklist is appropriate in the circumstances and notify you if your request has been approved or not. If the application is accepted you will be advised by the Safer Buildings Team and given instructions for your next steps.

FAQs for building industry professionals

I need more information about the role/qualifications of a building industry professional

  • Building industry professionals (BIPs) will need to prepare and sign a Form 34 - Building Industry Professional Statement.

    Building industry professionals do not need to log into the Safer Buildings website. Building owners will use the information submitted on the Building Industry Professional Statement to answer the questions on their Checklist.

    A BIP must give a copy of the statement to the following, within 5 business days of the statement being signed:

    Read the Guideline for assessing buildings with combustible cladding for more information.

    Building industry professionals must keep a signed copy of the Building Industry Professional Statement for at least 5 years.


  • Suitably qualified BIP for all building classes Suitably qualified BIP for buildings no more than 3 storeys and less than 2000 metres square in floor area
    • A building certifier (level 1)
    • A building certifier (level 2)
    • A QBCC licensee in at least 1 of the following classes:
      • Builder - Open
      • Builder Design - Open
      • fire safety professional
    • A QBCC licensee in at least 1 of the following classes:
      • Builder - Medium Rise
      • Builder Design - Medium Rise
    • A registered architect
    • A registered engineer in either:
      • civil engineering
      • fire engineering
      • fire safety
      • structural engineering
  • The questions are broadly based on the requirements in the National Construction Code (NCC). You need to utilise your knowledge of the NCC to answer questions 5 and 6.

I need more information about the Checklist process

  • A Replacement Checklist allows building owners to repeat a certain part of the Checklist. A building owner can only request to replace a 'completed' Checklist.

    When making a request to the QBCC Commissioner to replace a Checklist the building owner must include relevant information that will assist in determining whether their request is reasonable in the circumstances. The QBCC will consider if the Replacement Checklist is appropriate and notify the building owner as to whether their request is approved or not approved.

    The request must be made by using the approved Form (Form 75 - Replacement Checklist). Please refer to the Fact Sheet - Replacement Checklist found on the Resources page to assist you with this process.

    If the application is accepted by the QBCC, the building owner will be advised by the Safer Buildings team how to progress the Replacement Checklist on the online system.

  • All forms are located on the Resources page of the Safer Buildings website. The form the BIP needs to complete is called a Form 34 - Building Industry Professional Statement.

  • The deadline for building owners or their agents to complete part 2 of the Checklist was 31 July 2019.

    Building industry professionals must keep a signed copy of the Building Industry Professional Statement for at least 5 years.

I have some technical questions

FAQs for fire engineers

  • Building owners required to complete part 3 of the combustible cladding checklist are required to engage a fire engineer.

    Fire engineer is defined in the Building Regulation 2006 as an engineer registered in either or both:

    • Fire engineering
    • Fire safety

    Fire engineers who are wanting to work in Queensland need to contact the Board of Professional Engineers of Queensland on 07 3210 3100 or visit their website for more information.

    Fire engineers will need to:

    The Fire Engineer Statement must be the latest version in order for the fire engineer to meet their obligations. This is because the legislation was amended in August 2019 to require the fire engineer to state if the building is or isn't a cladding fire risk. The correct form must be used to ensure the fire engineer is providing this determination.

    Building owners must have engaged a fire engineer and registered their details by 31 October 2019 to meet the requirements of part 3A of the combustible cladding checklist.

    The deadline to complete part 3B requirements without penalty closed on 3 May 2021, however building owners and engaged fire engineers must continue to progress the Checklist to completion.

  • Fire engineers must refer to the definition in the Building Regulation 2006 and further discussed in the Guideline for assessing buildings with combustible cladding.

  • A Fire Engineer Statement must:

    • be in the approved form (Form 35); and
    • be prepared and signed by a fire engineer on the same day as the Building Fire Safety Risk Assessment; and
    • state, based on the matters mentioned in the Building Fire Safety Risk Assessment, whether or not there is a cladding fire risk for the building.

  • If a fire engineer reasonably believes a fire safety risk mitigation measure should be put in place at a building that may be an affected private building, the fire engineer must, within 5 business days:

    It is an offence not to comply.

  • A fire safety risk mitigation measure for a private building, means a measure that reduces the risk of:

    1. a fire at the building; or
    2. injury or illness being caused by a fire at the building.

  • No.

    Part 4A of the Regulation acknowledges and accepts that the use of combustible cladding may be appropriate where a RPEQ fire engineer considers that it does not present a cladding fire risk. This determination by the RPEQ fire engineer may be supported by engineering justification, interim risk mitigation strategies and/or long term building rectification requirements, however, this is at the discretion of the RPEQ fire engineer being the suitably competent authority in Queensland to make this determination (by virtue of the Regulation and the Professional Engineers Act 2002).

    If a building falls within the scope of Part 4A of the Regulation, it is available to the building owner to pursue the retention of any combustible cladding through a Performance Solution prepared by a RPEQ fire engineer. The building owner would need to consult further with their fire engineer for advice in this regard. Note that a development of a Performance Solution may trigger obligations under planning and building legislation and advice should be sought from a Building Certifier.