Apply for a new gas work licence or authorisation
RSHQ Portal now live
The new RSHQ Portal, live from 3 February 2026, is the simpler, faster, cheaper way to apply for a gas work licence or authorisation, and issue compliance certificates, defect notices, and inspection certificates.
You need a licence or authorisation before you do any gas work in Queensland, regardless of whether the work is residential, commercial or industrial.
Gas work means any work involved in installing, removing, altering, repairing, servicing, testing and certifying the gas system of a gas device.
To obtain a gas work licence or authorisation, you'll need to show that you have the required qualifications and experience.
In deciding whether to grant your application, we will consider your suitability, for example whether you have been convicted of an indictable offence or an offence against Queensland's petroleum and gas safety legislation. We will also take into account any disability or medical condition that might put you or the public at risk.
This guide explains the different types of licences and authorisations and how to apply for them.
Do you have a current interstate or New Zealand gas work licence? You may be able to apply for recognition of your licence. If you already have a Queensland licence, read about renewing your licence or authorisation.
Step 1 - Understand your obligations
As a gas work licence or authorisation holder, you are responsible for ensuring you understand your legal obligations and safety requirements.
Different types of licences and authorisations have different limits on the type of gas work that can be carried out.
All licences and authorisations include some standard conditions and there may be some specific conditions imposed based on your qualifications or experience.
If your application for a licence or authorisation is approved, you will receive a decision information notice stating what your licence or authorisation permits and any limits and conditions.
For additional assistance, you can:
- read about the requirements for certificates, plates and defect notices
- access technical guidelines for gas installers, including information on RV flues, piping, fuel workshops and hydrocarbon refrigerants.
Step 2 - Decide which licence or authorisation you need
Gas work is the work of installing, removing, altering, repairing, servicing, testing or certifying a gas system. You'll need a licence or authorisation relevant to the category of gas device and the type of gas work you intend to do.
To work on a gas device (type A), you need a gas work licence. A gas device (type A) is a device that uses fuel gas to create heat, light or power (including for refrigeration). These are essentially certified (badged) mass-produced appliances such as gas stoves and hot-water systems. Read a full list of Type A gas devices.
To work on a gas device (type B), you need a gas work authorisation. A gas device (type B) is any gas device that is not a gas device (type A). This includes devices such as most industrial gas plant, some commercial gas devices, and fuel gas systems of vehicles or vessels.
Gas work must comply with all relevant requirements under the Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety) Act 2004 (e.g. safety requirements).
Types of licences
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An interim gas work licence may be issued where the applicant has not yet demonstrated that they have the competencies and experience to hold a full gas work licence.
An interim gas work licence authorises you to install, remove, alter, repair, service and test a gas system in relation to a gas device (type A). This allows an interim licence holder to carry out most types of gas work while completing the requirements to progress to a full gas work licence.
An interim gas work licence does not include certifying. The holder of a full gas work licence must check and certify any installation work done by an interim licence holder. Before doing installation work, an interim licence holder will need to arrange a full licence holder to certify the work and should check if they want to supervise the interim holder's work.
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A full gas work licence authorises you to carry out all types of gas work on a gas system in relation to a gas device (type A). A full gas work licence may still have some conditions.
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A gas work licence (servicing) authorises you to service, repair and test a type A gas device (appliance).
It does not include installing, removing, altering or certifying. For example, it does not include any installation work (such as installing a new or replacement device) or carrying out gas work that changes the design, layout or operating parameters of a gas system.
Gas work under this type of licence may include:
- inspecting, cleaning, adjusting and tightening fittings of the gas device
- testing to find faults
- disconnecting and reconnecting of an existing appliance for servicing only.
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A gas work licence (servicing and caravan certification) authorises you to service, repair and test a type A gas device (appliance) and to certify an existing type A gas system installed in a caravan.
It does not include installing, removing or altering. For example, it does not include any installation work (such as installing a new or replacement device) or carrying out gas work that changes the design, layout or operating parameters of a gas system. It also does not include certifying any other gas systems.
Gas work under this type of licence may include:
- inspecting, cleaning, adjusting and tightening fittings of the appliance
- testing to find faults
- disconnecting and reconnecting of an existing device for servicing only
- conducting an inspection and certifying a gas system for the purposes of transferring ownership.
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A gas work licence (hydrocarbon refrigerant) authorises you to carry out gas work to a gas system in relation to a device that is used (or designed or intended) for refrigeration and for which fuel gas is the refrigerant (a fuel gas refrigeration device).
Gas work under this type of licence may include:
- charging, discharging or 'breaking in' to a refrigeration system
- carrying out domestic refrigeration work using less than 150 grams of hydrocarbon refrigerant charge in each separate circuit
- carrying out any other air conditioning work using less than 1500 grams of hydrocarbon per individual circuit.
Types of authorisations
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A gas work authorisation (industrial appliances) authorises the holder, or a person acting under the holder's authority, to carry out gas work in relation to an industrial appliance, group of appliances or gas system, as stated in the authorisation.
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A gas work authorisation (servicing) authorises the holder, or a person acting under the holder's authority, to carry out gas work that involves repairing, servicing and testing a gas device (type B) of a type or group stated in the authorisation other than gas work carried out under a gas work authorisation (motor fuel) or that changes the design, layout or operating parameters of a gas system.
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A gas work authorisation (motor fuel) authorises the holder, or a person acting under the holder's authority, to carry out gas work stated in the authorisation for a gas fuel system that supplies fuel to:
- the engine of a vehicle (including forklifts and floor sweepers) or vessel
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- a stationary engine capable of consuming fuel gas at a rate of 5GJ/hr or less.
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A gas work authorisation (major project) authorises the holder, or a person acting under the holder's authority, to carry out gas work for a project to develop and build an operating plant, or part of a plant, if the total gas capacity of the devices at the plant, or the part of the plant, is 50GJ/hr or more.
Step 3 - Check required qualifications, experience and currency
You must have the required qualifications and experience to hold a gas work licence or gas work authorisation.
The current requirements are:
- Queensland gas work licence requirements (PDF, 685KB)
- Queensland gas work authorisation requirements (PDF, 666KB).
If you do not meet the qualifications and experience requirements, you will need to discuss your options with a registered training organisation (RTO) which may include training, recognition of prior learning or mapping.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you:
- meet the requirements for the gas work licence or authorisation you are applying for
- make your licence or authorisation application/reapplication within the required time.
Additional currency requirement for licence applicants
If you are applying for a gas work licence, you must also ensure:
- if you are applying for a new gas work licence that requires a Certificate III, you completed your Certificate III within the last 12 months
- if you are applying for a new gas work licence that does not require a Certificate III, you completed at least 1 of the required units of competency within the last 12 months
- if you are reapplying for a gas work licence, you have a current gas work licence or held a gas work licence that expired within the last 12 months.
If you meet all the requirements, you may lodge an application for a gas work licence via the RSHQ Portal.
If you meet the qualifications and experience requirements but do not meet the currency requirements, you will need to pass the approved Gas Work Trade Test (the trade test) at a participating RTO before lodging an application. This is to check that your skills are current before we will accept your licence application.
Step 4 - Prepare your supporting documents
As part of your application, you'll need to provide copies of your supporting documents. The documents required are those specified in the requirements for the licence or authorisation you are applying for. Supporting documents should be provided as clear photographs or scan of the original document.
Supporting documents for gas work licences
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- Copy of your qualification (Certificate III in Gas Fitting or Certificate III in Plumbing) – must have been completed within the last 12 months
- Copy of your statement of attainment (the record of results showing the units of competency you completed)
- Digital photograph for use on your licence (taken in the last 6 months that meets the Australian passport photo guidelines)
- Copy of your driver's licence (or photo identification card)
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- Copy of your qualification (Certificate III in Gas Fitting or Certificate III in Plumbing) – must have been completed within the last 12 months
- Copy of your Certificate III in Gas Fitting or Certificate III in Plumbing statement of attainment (the record of results showing the current units of competency you completed)
- Copy of your Certificate IV statement of attainment (the record of results showing the current units of competency you completed)
- Completed and declared practical experience form
- Digital photograph for use on your licence (taken in the last 6 months that meets the Australian passport photo guidelines)
- Copy of your driver's licence (or photo identification card)
If you are progressing from an interim to a full licence you will only need:
- copy of your statement of attainment (the record of results showing the current units of competency you completed) for your Certificate IV units
- completed and declared practical experience form.
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- Copy of your statement of attainment (the record of results showing the units of competency you completed)
- Completed and declared practical experience form
- Digital photograph for use on your licence (taken in the last 6 months that meets the Australian passport photo guidelines)
- Copy of your driver's licence (or photo identification card)
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- Copy of your statement of attainment (the record of results showing the units of competency you completed)
- Completed and declared practical experience form
- Copy of your driver's licence (or photo identification card)
- Digital photograph for use on your licence (taken in the last 6 months that meets the Australian passport photo guidelines)
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- Copy of a current relevant ARC licence
- Copy of your statement of attainment (the record of results showing the units of competency you completed)
- Completed and declared practical experience form
- Copy of your driver's licence (or photo identification card)
- Digital photograph for use on your licence (taken in the last 6 months that meets the Australian passport photo guidelines)
Supporting documents for gas work authorisations
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Individual applicants
- Copy of your statement of attainment (the record of results showing the units of competency you completed)
- Completed and declared practical experience form
- Copy of your driver's licence (or photo identification card)
- Digital photograph for use on your licence (taken in the last 6 months that meets the Australian passport photo guidelines)
Corporation applicants
- Copy of the statement of attainment (the record of results showing the units of competency completed) for each individual carrying out gas work under the authorisation
- Completed and declared practical experience form for each individual carrying out gas work under the authorisation
- Letter from the chief executive officer or a director of the corporation nominating one or more individuals as representatives of the holder to give and receive information under the Act
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Individual applicants
- Copy of your statement of attainment (the record of results showing the units of competency you completed)
- Completed and declared practical experience form
- Copy of your driver's licence (or photo identification card)
- Digital photograph for use on your licence (taken in the last 6 months that meets the Australian passport photo guidelines)
Corporation applicants
- Copy of the statement of attainment (the record of results showing the units of competency completed) for each individual carrying out gas work under the authorisation
- Completed and declared practical experience form for each individual carrying out gas work under the authorisation
- Letter from the chief executive officer or a director of the corporation nominating one or more individuals as representatives of the holder to give and receive information under the Act
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Individual applicants
- Copy of your statement of attainment (the record of results showing the units of competency you completed)
- Completed and declared practical experience form
- Copy of your driver's licence (or photo identification card)
- Digital photograph for use on your licence (taken in the last 6 months that meets the Australian passport photo guidelines)
Corporation applicants
- Copy of the statement of attainment (the record of results showing the units of competency completed) for each individual carrying out gas work under the authorisation
- Completed and declared practical experience form for each individual carrying out gas work under the authorisation
- Letter from the chief executive officer or a director of the corporation nominating one or more individuals as representatives of the holder to give and receive information under the Act
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Individual applicants
- Copy of your statement of attainment (the record of results showing the units of competency you completed)
- Completed and declared practical experience form
- Copy of your driver's licence (or photo identification card)
- Digital photograph for use on your licence (taken in the last 6 months that meets the Australian passport photo guidelines)
Corporation applicants
- Copy of the tertiary degree in engineering for each engineer involved in the major project
- Copy of the gas work licence or authorisation for each individual carrying out gas work under the authorisation
- Letter from the chief executive officer or a director of the corporation nominating one or more individuals as representatives of the holder to give and receive information under the Act
How to get copies of your documents
To get copies of your original documents you can:
- take clear photographs of the original documents or
- make a good quality photocopy of each of your original documents (e.g. your qualifications, statements of attainment, driver's licence, etc.) or
- scan the original document with a scanning application on your device.
The copies of your documents must be clear or new copies will be requested.
Practical experience form (PEF)
For most applications, you'll need to submit a practical experience form (PDF, 664KB) declaring your experience. The experience relevant to the licence or authorisation you are applying for is stated in the requirements.
Please ensure that you:
- meet the relevant experience requirements and any relevant time frames
- fill in the form carefully
- can provide evidence of your experience if it is requested.
If your practical experience form is incomplete or invalid, your application will be rejected or refused and the application fee will not be refunded.
Photograph for all individual applicants
If you're applying for a gas work licence, authorisation or gas device approval authority as an individual, you'll need to upload a digital photograph of yourself that meets the Australian passport photo guidelines. Photographs that do not meet the guidelines will not be accepted.
To verify the digital photograph is of you, you must also upload a copy of the front and back of your current Queensland driver's licence or photo identification card (or equivalent photographic identity card from another state, territory or New Zealand).
Step 5 - Submit your application
From 3 February 2026, applications for new, renewed, upgraded and replacement gas work licences or authorisations, and issuing of gas work certificates and notices must be made via the RSHQ Portal.
Exceptions are if you are applying for:
- gas work authorisation: major project
- hydrocarbon refrigerant (HCR) licence
- gas device approval authority (GDAA).
Fees are payable when you submit your application in the RSHQ Portal. Review the current schedule of fees for gas work licences and authorisations.
All licences and authorisations are issued for a period of 3 years.
When applying, make sure you:
- meet all the relevant requirements and any relevant time frames
- fill in the application carefully
- provide all required supporting documents.
If your application is incomplete or invalid, it will be rejected or refused and the application fee will not be refunded.
Apply
Gas work licence (GWL) or authorisation (GWA)
Gas device approval authorisation (GDAA)
Hydrocarbon refrigerant licence (GWL – HCR)
Gas work authorisation: major project application (GWA – MP) (PDF, 48KB)
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