Role of local governments

Local governments are responsible for the issue of building compliance notices in relation to the Queensland Development Code and do not have any enforcement responsibilities under Residential Services (Accreditation) Act 2002.

Registration process

To register a residential service, service providers must lodge a building compliance notice (under the Queensland Development Code—MP 5.7) received within the last 12 months.

This building compliance notice can only be obtained by completing an application with your local council.

The local council must then issue a building compliance notice, or a non-compliance notice within 20 days of receiving the application.

A service provider has 20 business days after receiving the non-compliance notice to appeal the decision.

Amending or renewing

If the residential service premises changes, providers must apply to amend their registration.

The new application including the amendments must include a building compliance notice (under the Queensland Development Code—MP 5.7) for the premises.

When providers renew their accreditation (usually every 3 years) they must also include a building compliance notice issued in the previous 12 months.

Building work on the premises

A development application for building work on a residential service premises cannot be approved until the local council confirms in writing that the building work complies with the building requirements.

Accreditation

If providers apply for Level 2 accreditation (food service), the local council must confirm the providers are meeting their obligations under food hygiene legislation.

Before we grant approval to renew a residential service accreditation, the local council must undertake a site inspection of the premises and give the service provider a notice of compliance, or non-compliance.

Impacts of the Act

The Residential Services (Accreditation) Act 2002 does not affect existing statutory responsibilities and enforcement roles of local councils, including those relating to the Building Act 1975, state food, hygiene and public health legislation.

More information

For more information on local council responsibilities in relation to residential services:

• email resservices@communities.qld.gov.au
• contact the Residential Services Unit on (07) 3008 5824.