Queensland’s building and construction industry is the state’s third-largest employer and the third-largest contributor to the state’s economy. The Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) is the industry’s self-funded, independent regulator.

The QBCC Governance Review 2022 (the review) examined the roles and responsibilities of the QBCC, and the Queensland Building and Construction (QBC) Board, along with their respective policies, procedures, and practices.

The purpose of the review was to ensure the QBCC’s governance arrangements reflect best-practice for a building and construction industry regulator and are fit-for-purpose to deliver on the objectives of the Queensland Building and Construction Commission Act 1991 (QBCC Act).

Overall, the review observed the regulator performs a wide range of functions, across a large and varied industry. Government’s nationally have asked building industry regulators to do more in an increasing complex environment. In this setting, the QBCC has sought to:

• continue with its business-as-usual (BAU) activities
• implement and regulate a significant reform agenda
• improve and enhance its internal systems and processes to transform into a modern regulator.

It has sought to do this while delivering regulatory functions in a way that is consistent with community expectations and assists the industry to contribute productively and safely in this substantial sector of the economy.

However, there are opportunities to reduce the tension inherent in the QBCC’s functions. There are changes that can be made to the QBC Board’s structure, the QBCC’s structure, as well as to planning, procedures and protocols that will well-position the regulator for the future.

The review makes 17 recommendations broadly categorised under the following themes:

• Structure and processes
• Decision-making
• Organisational transformation
• Strategy and Planning
• Capability and culture
• Performance.