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Repeat offender fined $15k over Qld building work

By Gemma Crotty
03 December 2025 | 7 minute read
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A dodgy tradie has been slapped with a fine for the second time in 13 months over unlicensed building-related offences in Queensland.

A builder has been fined $15,000 for unlawfully carrying out building work at a Brisbane property and failing to provide a written contract.

Sapati Michael Faraimo’s case was heard in Beenleigh Magistrates Court on 19 November 2025, for charges related to work done at a property in Daisy Hill in 2022.

 
 

The Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC), which brought the case to court, said Faraimo was previously convicted and fined $10,000 on 30 October 2024, for unlawful building work in 2021.

QBCC CEO and commissioner Angelo Lambrinos said the QBCC was committed to a fair approach to compliance, but warned the watchdog would not hesitate to take strong action against breaches of the law.

“I will unapologetically take all appropriate legislative action when someone is repeatedly or knowingly doing the wrong thing,” Lambrinos said.

He said that the QBCC had a responsibility to act to protect home owners and uphold industry standards, as well as to champion the reputation of hard-working professionals.

“Protecting the integrity of the industry takes a united effort. We rely on homeowners to speak up and licensed professionals to share their on-the-ground intelligence,” he said.

“When something feels wrong or is wrong, tell us – your information helps us take decisive action against unlicensed operators who undermine trust and fairness.”

Lambrinos said that home owners need to check whether an individual is licensed, review their compliance history, understand the allowable maximum deposits, and ensure that a written, dated, and signed contract is in place before work begins.

The watchdog said owners can use the QBCC’s Home Owner Hub to avoid common pitfalls and understand their protections, while builders can use the QBCC’s Digital Licence on their phone to enable owners to check their credentials.

You might also like: [SA strengthens oversight of builders and building inspections]

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Gemma Crotty

Gemma Crotty

Gemma moved from Melbourne to Sydney in 2021 to pursue a journalism career. She spent four years at Sky News, first as a digital producer working with online video content. She then became a digital reporter, writing for the website and fulfilling her passion for telling stories. She has a keen interest in learning about how the property market evolves and strategies for buying a home. She is also excited to hear from top agents about how they perfect their craft.
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