The Building and Construction Industry Improvement Act 2005 provides for the establishment of an Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Accreditation Scheme to apply to building and construction work funded by the Australian Government.
The Australian Government Building and Construction OHS Accreditation Scheme (the Scheme) operates such that, subject to certain thresholds, only head contractors who are accreditated under the Scheme can enter into contracts for building work that is funded directly or indirectly by the Australian Government.
The Scheme enables the government to use its influence as a client and provider of capital to improve the building and construction industry’s OHS performance. By acting as a ‘model client’, the Australian Government aims to foster a new paradigm where work must be performed safely, as well as on time and on budget. The Scheme helps to ensure that the benefits of investment in high quality OHS practices are recognised, and that the costs of poor OHS are properly taken into account.
Accreditation under the Scheme is a requirement of contracting for building and construction projects funded directly or indirectly by the Australian Government. Accredited companies are listed on the FSC website and updated regularly.
Projects directly funded by the Australian Government
Projects are considered to be directly funded where an Australian Government agency has responsibility for the project funding and development, for example a Defence facility, Medicare or Centrelink Office or a fit-out or refurbishment of existing Australian Government office accommodation.
Projects indirectly funded by the Australian Government
Projects are considered indirectly funded where an Australian Government agency contributes funding to a third party recipient, such as a state government, through mechanisms such as funding agreements, grants and other programmes, for example road construction projects funded by the Australian Government or a new school built by a state government using funding provided by the Australian Government.
For more information, see Scheme thresholds.
Related Links
Scheme Thresholds
Key Dates
Apply for Accreditation
Accreditation Register