Current legislation

The Housing Act 2003 provides an accountable system for the delivery of housing and housing-related services by the Queensland and funded organisations in Queensland. The main objects of the Act are to improve the access of Queenslanders to safe, secure, appropriate and affordable housing, and to help build sustainable communities.

The Housing Act 2003 sets out the obligations for people that receive housing assistance and it applies the National Regulatory System for Community Housing to community housing providers that operate in Queensland.

The Housing Regulation 2015 is the supporting regulation for the Housing Act 2003. 

Find out about the National Regulatory System for Community Housing.

The Manufactured Homes (Residential Parks) Act 2003 aims to regulate, and promote fair trading practices in, the operation of residential parks, including by regulating the relationship between park owners and home owners. The Act aims to protect home owners from unfair business practices, and enable home owners and prospective home owners to make informed choices by being fully aware of their rights and responsibilities in their relationship with park owners.

The Manufactured Homes (Residential Parks) Regulation 2017 is the supporting regulation for the Manufactured Homes (Residential Parks) Act 2003.

The Residential Services (Accreditation) Act 2002 regulates the conduct of residential services, such as boarding houses, to protect the health, safety and freedom of residents, encourage service providers to continually improve the way they conduct residential services and to support fair trading in the residential services industry.

The Residential Services (Accreditation) Regulation 2018 is the supporting regulation for the Residential Services (Accreditation) Act 2002.

The Retirement Villages Act 1999 establishes the regulatory framework for the operation of retirement village schemes in Queensland and regulates the relationship between retirement village scheme operators and residents. The Act aims to promote consumer protection and fair trading practices and encourage the continued growth and viability of the retirement village industry in Queensland.

The Retirement Villages Regulation 2018 is the supporting regulation for the Retirement Villages Act 1999.

The Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008 (RTRA Act) establishes the rules for residential tenancies and rooming accommodation in Queensland and sets out the rights and obligations of renters, rental property owners and property managers.

The RTRA Act:

• regulates the content, making, operation and termination of residential leases and processes for resolving disputes about these agreements, and
• establishes the Residential Tenancies Authority to provide a range of advisory, bond custodianship, dispute resolution, investigation and enforcement services to Queensland’s residential rental sector.

The Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Regulation 2009 is the supporting regulation for the RTRA Act. The Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) is the statutory authority that administers Queensland’s rental laws.

The Local Government Act 2009, with the Local Government Regulation 2012 provides for the way that a local government is constituted, and its responsibilities and powers. It also provides for a system of local government in Queensland that is accountable, effective, efficient and sustainable.

The City of Brisbane Act 2010, with the City of Brisbane Regulation 2012 provides for the way that Brisbane City Council is constituted, and its unique responsibilities and powers. It also provides for a system of local government in Brisbane that is accountable, effective, efficient and sustainable.

The Local Government Electoral Act 2011, with the Local Government Electoral Regulation 2023, provides for the transparent and equitable conduct of elections of councillors of Queensland's local governments. It also ensures and reinforces integrity in Queensland’s local governments.

The Planning Act 2016 is the principal legislation and establishes the framework for Queensland’s planning system. The Act is broadly structured around 3 main systems: plan-making, development assessment and dispute resolution. It establishes the framework of planning instruments and is supported by other legislation listed below.

The Planning Act aims to establish an efficient and accountable system of land-use planning and development assessment to lead to ecological sustainability, which balances:

• the protection of ecological processes and natural systems at local, regional, state and national levels
• economic development
• the cultural, economic, physical and social wellbeing of Queenslanders.

Some provisions are relevant to the administration of the Development Tribunals under the Act: Chapter 6; Section 282; and Schedule 1. Development Tribunals provide an accessible, affordable and timely service for people who are not satisfied with building, plumbing and planning decisions made by local government and private certifiers.

The Planning Regulation 2017 supports the principal legislation by detailing how the Planning Act operates, including:

• what development is assessable
• who will assess a development application
• current versions of planning instruments, including the Development Assessment Rules and Minister’s Guidelines and Rules
• current state fees and charges for state referrals, tribunal proceedings and local government infrastructure charges.

The Planning and Environment Court Act 2016, with the Planning and Environment Court Rules 2018, governs the constitution, composition, jurisdiction and powers of the Planning and Environment Court. The court is where appeals can be heard about development assessment decisions. The court also offers alternative dispute-resolution processes to help parties reach an early, inexpensive resolution.

(except to the extent administered by the Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities)

The Regional Planning Interests Act 2014 seeks to strike a balance between protecting priority land uses and managing the impacts of (and supporting coexistence with) mining and petroleum activities, which are outside the jurisdiction of the Planning Act.

The Act complements the Planning Act through a consistent application of the state's land-use planning objectives contained in regional plans.

The Regional Planning Interests Regulation 2014 prescribes the fees related to regional interest development applications and the amounts used to calculate mitigation values (relevant to strategic cropping land).

The Local Government (Robina Central Planning Agreement) Act 1992 provides for the approval of an agreement relating to the planning and development of certain land in Robina.

This legislation is specific to the Robina Central development and provides a unique framework that differs from the standard planning regulations under the Planning Act 2016.

The Mixed Use Development Act 1993 provides a framework for the approval, development and management of schemes that incorporate a mix of different uses, such as retail, residential, and commercial spaces.

The Act was formulated in response to the need for special treatment of such developments. It includes provisions for things like community plans, precinct plans and the establishment of body corporates for managing these mixed-use schemes.

The Sanctuary Cove Resort Act 1985 governs development, land use and management of the Sanctuary Cove Resort area at Hope Island. The Act includes provision for the:

• creation of the Sanctuary Cove Resort Principal Body Corporate, which is responsible for land management and development
• subdivision of land
• establishment of zones within the resort
• approval of plans for the use of land.

The Integrated Resort Development Act 1987 regulates the establishment, operation and management of integrated resort developments.

The Act aims to facilitate the development of large-scale resorts that include a mix of facilities such as hotels, casinos, convention centres, and other amenities, providing a comprehensive framework for their planning, approval, and ongoing management.

The Architects Act 2002 establishes the Board of Architects of Queensland and its functions, and regulates the performance of architectural services primarily through:

• the registration of individuals as architects under the Act
• provisions for monitoring and enforcing compliance with the Act.

The Architects Regulation 2019 is the supporting regulation.

The Building Act 1975 regulates the approval and assessment of building work and provides for matters including codes and standards for building work; inspections; building classification and the use of buildings; licensing and functions of building certifiers; fire safety for budget accommodation buildings; swimming pool safety standards and inspections; and provisions to support sustainable housing.

The Act adopts the Building Code of Australia (BCA) as a building assessment provision, which building work must comply with.

The Building Regulation 2021 contains building regulations related to the Queensland Building Act 1975.

The Queensland Development Code (QDC) adopts standards for matters not covered by the BCA. In some instances, it imposes standards over and above BCA requirements or replaces BCA requirements.

The building and construction industry must follow legal obligations and processes to protect contractor payments.

The Building Industry Fairness (Security of Payment) Act 2017 requires the building and construction industry to follow legal obligations and processes to ensure everyone gets paid for the work they do. This is achieved primarily through:

• establishment of trust accounts for eligible contracts
• a statutory right to receive progress payments for work performed under a contract
• subcontractors’ charges, to secure payment from a higher party in the contractual chain
• adjudication of payment disputes.

The Building Industry Fairness (Security of Payment) Regulation 2018 is the supporting regulation.

The Plumbing and Drainage Act 2018 is about plumbing and drainage, and the licensing of plumbers and drainers. The Act's main purpose is to regulate the carrying out of plumbing or drainage work in a way that reduces risks to public health and safety, and the environment.

The Plumbing and Drainage Regulation 2019 ensures plumbing and drainage work is compliant.

The Plumbing Code of Australia (PCA) (Volume 3 of the National Construction Code) contains technical requirements for the design and construction for plumbing and drainage systems in new and existing buildings of all classes. It also applies to sites where water services are constructed independent of buildings.

The Queensland Plumbing and Wastewater Code adopts standards for matters not covered by the PCA. In some instances, it imposes higher standards over and above PCA requirements or replaces PCA requirements.

The Professional Engineers Act 2002 establishes the Board of Professional Engineers of Queensland and its functions, and regulates the performance of professional engineering services primarily through:

• the registration of individuals as professional engineers under the Act
• provisions for monitoring and enforcing compliance with the Act.

The Professional Engineers Regulation 2019 is the supporting regulation.

The Queensland Building and Construction Commission Act 1991 establishes the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) as a statutory body and the Queensland Building and Construction Board as the QBCC’s governing body.

The QBCC Act:

• regulates the building industry to ensure the maintenance of proper standards in the industry and achieve a reasonable balance between the interests of building contractors and consumers
• provides for matters including the licensing of builders, trade contractors and occupational trades, including minimum financial requirements for licensing; rectification of defective building work; non-conforming building products; compliance and enforcement powers and the Queensland Home Warranty Scheme.

The Queensland Building and Construction Commission Regulation 2018 is the main supporting regulation. It covers matters such as licence classes and requirements, including scopes of work and qualifications, owner-builder permits, demerit offences and fees for QBCC licences.

The Queensland Building and Construction Commission (Minimum Financial Requirements) Regulation 2018 outlines the minimum financial requirements for contractor licensees in Queensland.