1. Service Trades Council
Esther Blest – Assistant Commissioner
24 August 2017

2. A voice for service trades
The Service Trades Council (STC) is the new statutory authority set up to represent the plumbing and drainage, fire protection and air-conditioning and mechanical services trades.
It sits within, and is part of, the QBCC.
Our first meeting was held in August, 2016.

3. COUNCIL MEMBERS
From left to right: (front row) Catherine McCahon, Dr Janet Cumming, Myself, the Honourable Mick de Brenni MP, Brett Bassett, Esther Blest; (back row) Ray Smith, Brad Hodgkinson, Graham MacKrill, Andrew Hickman, Linda Bradley, Sharon Simmers.

4. How the STC fits within the QBCC

5. COUNCIL MEMBERS Andrew Hickman National Fire Industry Association
Linda Bradley Department of Education and Training
Graham MacKrill Air-conditioning and Mechanical Contractors Association of QLD
Ray Smith Institute of Plumbing Inspectors Queensland
Esther Blest Queensland Building and Construction Commission
Penny Cornah
Master Plumbers’ Association of Queensland (Chair)
Dr Janet Cumming QLD Health (Deputy Chair)
Sharon Simmers Office of Fair Trading
Catherine McCahon Department of Housing and Public Works
Bradley Hodgkinson Local Government Association of Queensland
Gary O’Halloran Plumbing and Pipe Trades Employees Union QLD

6. New QBC Board appointed December 2016
Mr Dick Williams, Chair
Ms Jennifer Robertson, Deputy Chair
Ms Lesley Anderson
Ms Leanne Bond
Ms Michelle James
Mr Brett Schimming
Mr Robert Schwarten

7. STC VISION

8. VISION FOR SERVICE TRADES COUNCIL
The vision of the Service Trades Council is to be recognised as the lead regulator for service trades within Australia.
This is also the first time in Queensland’s history we represent fire protection, air-conditioning and mechanical services on the Council.

9. STC FUNCTIONS

10. STC FUNCTIONS The main functions of the STC are to:
Confer on national policy development and implementation for the trade
Report on issues relating to the trade to the Minister for Housing and Public Works, the Honourable Mick de Brenni MP
Make recommendations to the QBCC Commissioner about the performance of licensing and administrative functions relating to the plumbing industry.

11. STC FUNCTIONS cont’d
Establish a panel to assist the QBCC Commissioner to perform his functions under the Act
Act as an internal reviewer of decisions made by the QBCC Commissioner in relation to disciplinary action against licensees.

12. WHAT THE STC OFFERS

13. WHAT THE STC OFFERS
Expertise regarding policy development and disciplinary matters, and general issues relating to plumbing and drainage
Establishment of a Complex Licensing Panel
Power to undertake internal reviews of disciplinary decisions made by QBCC.

14. STC PRIORITIES

15. PRIORITIES FOR THE STC
To let licensees know that they have a dedicated regulatory body once more
Support the QBCC to ensure service trades work is completed in accordance with relevant legislation and standards, by promoting acceptable competence benchmarks
Work with the QBCC to make it easier for service trades licensees to do business – e.g. new Notifiable Work online lodgment system
Focus on education through forums and a newsletter.

16. PRIORITIES FOR THE STC
Partner with industry stakeholders and other regulators to ensure a consistent approach to compliance and enforcement, particularly when unlicensed work occurs
Ensure the pathway leading to, and decisions made about, licensing are consistent (this will include working with Trades Recognition Australia, Australian Skills Quality Authority and the Queensland Training Ombudsman)
Raise the profile of the service trades to a level playing field within the construction industry.

17. STC REGIONAL OUTREACH

18. STC REGIONAL OUTREACH
The STC is visiting regional areas as part of a regional outreach program to forge strong relationships with key stakeholders across the State.
Toowoomba in October
Sunshine Coast in November
Gold Coast in February
Rockhampton in April
Townsville in June
Bundaberg in August
FYI – GOLD STC Regional Outreach is scheduled for February, 2017

19. STC REGIONAL OUTREACH
Networking with others who are working in service trades in your local area is crucial, particularly during events such as legionella outbreaks.
I am looking forward to hearing from you about how we can tackle issues facing the industry together.

20. Thank you!