Starting your own trade business in QLD

Going out on your own? Here's what to sort out, in order, with the official links — so you can spend your time on the tools, not the paperwork.

General guide only, last reviewed October 2026. Fees and rules change — check the official links, and get advice from a registered tax agent or accountant for your situation. TradiHub AI doesn't give legal, tax or financial advice.

  1. 1

    Get an ABN

    An Australian Business Number is free and you apply online. You need one to invoice, to register a business name, and for the ABN-checked tick on your TradiHub AI profile.

    Apply for an ABN (ABR)
  2. 2

    Register a business name (only if you need one)

    Trading under your own name? You don't need to. Trading as something else (like “Northside Handyman”), register it with ASIC: $47 for 1 year or $108 for 3 years (fees from 1 July 2026). You need your ABN first.

    Register a business name (ASIC)
  3. 3

    Check which licence you need

    In Queensland, building work valued over $3,300 (including labour, materials and GST) needs a QBCC licence. Plumbing, drainage and gas fitting need a licence at any value, and all electrical work needs a licence from the Electrical Safety Office.

    Our QLD licensing guides by trade When you need a QBCC licence
  4. 4

    Sort out insurance

    Public liability isn't required by law for every trade, but builders, agents and most homeowners will ask for it before you start. Residential work over $3,300 needs QBCC home warranty insurance. If you take on workers, you need a WorkCover Queensland policy.

    QBCC home warranty insurance WorkCover Queensland
  5. 5

    GST and tax

    Register for GST within 21 days of your turnover reaching $75,000 a year, or when you start if you expect to reach it in your first year. Set money aside for tax from day one, and a registered tax agent is worth talking to early.

    Registering for GST (ATO)
  6. 6

    Set up your free Google Business Profile

    It's free, it puts you on Google Maps, and it's where most customers will leave you reviews. Ask every happy customer for one — early reviews matter most.

    Google Business Profile
  7. 7

    Get found by local customers

    Create your TradiHub AI profile — free to start, no per-lead fees. We fill in a banner, a short bio and your hours for you, show your ABN tick and Google reviews, email you when a homeowner nearby posts a job in your trade, and feature new businesses on our Facebook page.

    Create your free profile

Starting out? We'll set you up free

For new businesses, DLK Studio (the Brisbane team behind TradiHub AI) will set up your Google Business Profile and your TradiHub AI profile with you, at no cost.

Want a logo or a simple website too? Those are paid extras. Just ask and we'll quote you.

Create your free profile Get free setup help