The Australian Government has allocated $13.2 million over three years from 2023-24 to support residential builders to get accreditation under the WHS Accreditation Scheme (the Scheme) quickly so they can deliver the Government’s 40,000 new social and affordable dwellings while meeting the highest workplace safety standards.

The additional funding enables the Federal Safety Commissioner to continue fast-tracking applications for accreditation from residential builders delivering residential building projects through the Housing Australia Future Fund Facility (HAFFF) and National Housing Accord Facility (NHAF). Fast-tracked applications are prioritised and allocated a dedicated Federal Safety Officer to facilitate faster pre-accreditation auditing and accreditation decisions.

The Scheme continues to drive safer work practices, with accredited builders reporting lower injury rates and workers’ compensation premiums than the industry average. This new funding will help ensure that every worker on HAFFF and NAHF projects go home safely every day.

The $13.2 million includes $7 million in targeted assistance for Scheme applicants, and $6.2 million from 2024-25 to support peak building industry employer organisations to assist residential builders to obtain accreditation under the scheme through a grants program.

For more information see the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations 2024-25 Budget website.

For more information on the requirements of the Work Health and Safety Accreditation Scheme for residential builders and Housing Australia projects please visit the new Residential Builders undertaking Housing Australia webpage

Follow the OFSC on LinkedIn to stay up to date on safety news, Scheme updates and future events.