Subject to the exemptions described below, where Housing Australia funds building work under the Housing Australia Future Fund Facility (HAFFF) and the National Housing Accord Facility (NHAF), or provides funding for other activities sufficiently connected to such building work, the Work Health and Safety Accreditation Scheme (the Scheme) will usually apply. This means that the head contractor builder will need to be accredited before Housing Australia can fund the building work.
There are some exemptions from the Scheme. These relate to low-value building work, the construction of single-dwelling houses and building work undertaken by a joint venture. Additionally, where Housing Australia provides funding for the purchase of completed dwellings, or for making completed dwellings available (that is, circumstances where the funding of other activities is not sufficiently connected to the building work), this will generally not constitute funding building work under the Scheme.
If your project is covered by any of the exemptions* described below, there is no requirement for an accredited head contractor builder to be engaged to undertake the building work.
*The term ‘exemption’ refers to both circumstances that are explicitly exempted from the Scheme under the Federal Safety Commissioner (Accreditation Scheme) Rules 2023 and circumstances that are not covered by the Scheme. Exemptions apply automatically for each listed scenario. You do not need to apply for or seek approval from the OFSC for an exemption. If you are unsure if an exemption applies to your project please contact the OFSC at ofsc@dewr.gov.au.
The links below provide a detailed explanation of each exemption and examples of how each exemption could be applied.
EXEMPTION 1 – Building work valued at below the Scheme funding thresholds
EXEMPTION 2 – Single dwelling houses
EXEMPTION 3 – Joint venture arrangements
EXEMPTION 4 – No Scheme coverage where the ultimate outcome of the funding does NOT involve building work
Further assistance
To speak to an OFSC representative please call the OFSC Assist Line 1800 652 500, or email ofsc@dewr.gov.au.