On this page:
What is reaccreditation?
How do I submit my application?
How long does it take to get reaccredited?
How early before my current accreditation expires can I submit my reaccreditation application?
Why will applications submitted early not be assessed until eight months prior to the current accreditation expiry date?
What happens if I am currently working on a Scheme project and my accreditation is due to expire?
What if I am tendering for a government contract and my accreditation is due to expire?
Why do I need to submit a full accreditation application when I reapply?
Can I use information from my original accreditation application?
How will the reaccreditation audit fit in with my current Project Safety (PSA) or Maintenance Audits?
What will an onsite audit involve?
What happens if mobile plant isn’t available to be assessed at the onsite audit?
Is it necessary to close out Corrective Action Reports (CARs) prior to applying for reaccreditation?
What happens if I am currently in the process of reaccreditation and my accreditation expires?
What happens if I do not reapply for accreditation?
What is reaccreditation?
Under the Australian Government Building and Construction OHS Accreditation Scheme (the Scheme), companies are accredited for a period of up to three years.
At the end of this period, companies need to reapply for accreditation in order to stay accredited under the Scheme – this is known as ‘reaccreditation’.
Reaccreditation is a requirement of the Building and Construction Industry Improvement (Accreditation Scheme) Regulations 2005 (the Regulations)
How do I submit my application?
Applications should be submitted either by email or mail using the details below.
Mail to:
Director
Office of the Federal Safety Commissioner
GPO Box 9880
Canberra City ACT 2601
Email to: ofsc@deewr.gov.au
How long does it take to get reaccredited?
The time taken to process an application can depend on a number of factors, including the content of your application, whether the supporting documentation is satisfactory, your past performance history and your performance at audit.
The OFSC will publish a list of expired companies already in the reaccreditation process on fsc.gov.au. This list will only include companies that have applied for reaccreditation before their accreditation expiry date.
How early before my current accreditation expires can I submit my reaccreditation application?
The Office of the Federal Safety Commissioner (OFSC) suggests companies submit their reaccreditation applications at least six months prior to their current accreditation expiry date (AED) to reduce the risk of accreditation lapsing. While reaccreditation applications can be submitted earlier than six months from the expiry date, the assessment of the application will commence at eight months prior to the AED. At that time, all companies will receive a letter advising proposed audit arrangements. Companies can request that their application be treated as an exception if there is a specific need.
Why will applications submitted early not be assessed until eight months prior to the current accreditation expiry date?
In most cases, reaccreditation applications submitted earlier than eight months prior to their current AED will not be assessed until the company reaches the eight month mark. This is to ensure that the current audit arrangements for reaccreditation are not being disrupted. Each company will receive a letter regarding audit arrangements at this time. Companies should notify the OFSC if they have reason to believe that their application should be assessed prior to this point. This will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
What happens if I am currently working on a Scheme project and my accreditation is due to expire?
The Office of the Federal Safety Commissioner (OFSC) will endeavour to prioritise reaccreditation applications from companies currently working on Scheme projects. Companies should advise the OFSC in their applications that they are currently working on a Scheme project.
It is the responsibility of the company to allow sufficient time before their accreditation expiry date to ensure that the application is received and processed prior to their accreditation expiration.
What if I am tendering for a government contract and my accreditation is due to expire?
If a company is in a current tender process they should advise the OFSC in their application. Companies should provide details of the project, government agency and relevant timeframes.
The OFSC recommends that all companies submit reaccreditation applications at least six months prior to their accreditation expiry date, to reduce the risk of accreditation lapsing.
Why do I need to submit a full accreditation application when I reapply?
To meet the requirements of the Regulations, and to allow the FSC to make an informed decision, the reaccreditation process will require a full application to be assessed, through a desktop assessment and an onsite audit.
Reaccreditation is not just an extension of accreditation; the FSC must consider a range of matters (as stipulated in the Regulations) in deciding an application.
The process of companies submitting an application against all criteria is viewed as a valuable component of the reaccreditation process and will ensure that assessments are undertaken on the most up-to-date company information. For example, a company may have had significant personnel changes, updated or integrated their OHS management systems or been involved in takeovers in the past three years.
Can I use information from my original accreditation application?
A complete application is a requirement of reaccreditation, however the OFSC will accept reaccreditation applications containing references to your original application if you confirm the information is still current.
How will the reaccreditation audit fit in with my current Project Safety (PSA) or Maintenance Audits?
The OFSC will be winding down Project Safety and Maintenance audits prior to a companies accreditation expiry date.
This will be subject to case-by-case reviews.
What will an onsite audit involve?
The OFSC will streamline the audit process for reaccreditation where applicable. It is envisaged that most companies will only require a one day audit. Each company’s performance over their three year accreditation period will be assessed and inform the focus and duration of the onsite audit, so in some cases a two day audit may be needed.
As part of the FSC’s vision of a building and construction industry where no one is harmed, the OFSC will use reaccreditation as an opportunity to conduct a targeted hazard campaign. All companies will be assessed on the same hazard – mobile plant and equipment – a hazard which OFSC and industry data indicates is one of the greatest causes of injury in the industry. It should be noted the audit may extend to an assessment of other hazards. For example, if a company has outstanding corrective actions or a poor performance record in a particular area.
What happens if mobile plant isn’t available to be assessed at the onsite audit?
The next most appropriate hazard will be chosen through consultation with the Audit Team.
Is it necessary to close out Corrective Action Reports (CARs) prior to applying for reaccreditation?
All companies are encouraged to address any outstanding issues prior to reaccreditation. Open non-conformances or areas of concern will be addressed at the reaccreditation audit.
In some cases, it may be necessary to conduct an audit prior to reaccreditation to close out non-conformances. This will be subject to case-by-case review by the Audit Team.
What happens if I am currently in the process of reaccreditation and my accreditation expires?
The OFSC is recommending that all companies submit reaccreditation applicationsat least six months prior to their accreditation expiry date.
If a company’s accreditation lapses and they have submitted an application for reaccreditation, they will be listed on the FSC website as being in the reaccreditation process.
What happens if I do not reapply for accreditation?
If a company does not apply for reaccreditation they will be removed from the accreditation register once their current accreditation expiry date lapses. They will no longer be able to contract for Government-funded building work covered by the Scheme.
We ask that companies who are not intending to apply for reaccreditation inform the OFSC of their decision.