What is demolition work and when is a licence required?

Demolition work under the Regulation means any work to demolish or dismantle a structure, or part of a structure, that is load bearing or otherwise related to the physical integrity of the structure.
A person conducting a business or undertaking must hold a licence to carry out certain demolition work.



The scope of demolition work requiring a licence is intended to remain the same as the demolition work that required a certificate under the repealed WHS legislation. Therefore, a demolition licence is required for the following demolition work:

• Demolishing or dismantling a structure that contains pre-tensioned or post-tensioned structural components.
• Demolishing or dismantling a structure that involves use of load shifting equipment (for example a combination front-end loader and backhoe, skid steer loader, excavator or crane).
• Demolishing or dismantling a structure that involves the use of explosives or another induced collapse method.
• All other demolition work also requires a demolition licence unless the structure being demolished or dismantled is a domestic house; a structure built as, and still generally having the characteristics of, a domestic house or a structure that is ancillary to a domestic house or a structure with the characteristics of a domestic house.

Demolition work does not include:

• the dismantling of formwork, falsework or other structures designed or used to provide support, access or containment during construction work (for example scaffolding, barricades, gantries, hoardings, perimeter containment screening or tower cranes); or
• the removal of power, light or telecommunication poles.

In addition, a PCBU who proposes to carry out any of the following demolition work must ensure that written notice is given to Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (under section 142 of the Regulation) at least five days before the work commences:

1. demolition of a structure, or a part of a structure that is load-bearing or otherwise related to the physical integrity of the structure, that is at least 6m in height
2. demolition work involving load-shifting machinery on a suspended floor
3. demolition work involving explosives.

Any site will still be considered a construction site and all workers must holder proof of construction induction training ie: white card, blue card, red card or green card depending on state or territory.