Scheme criteria guidance explained for head contractor builders

The WHS Accreditation Scheme Audit Criteria: Residential Builders' Guide

The Federal Safety Commissioner's WHS Accreditation Scheme Audit Criteria: Residential Builders’ Guide provides detailed guidance to residential builders applying for Work Health and Safety Accreditation Scheme (the Scheme) accreditation to safely deliver social and affordable housing through the Commonwealth’s Housing Australia Future Fund Facility (HAFFF) and the National Housing Accord Facility (NHAF).

The guide has been developed by the OFSC in consultation with industry, emphasising the criteria that is relevant to residential builders and highlighting criteria where builders may need additional assistance. Key concepts around documented process, implementation and targeted examples of what will and won’t meet Scheme requirements are included.

Residential builders seeking to ensure their Work Health and Safety Management System (WHSMS) and processes align with the FSC audit criteria before applying for accreditation can contact the following industry peak employer associations for assistance:

Australian Industry Group (Ai Group)

Website: www.safeready.com.au

Contact: safety.services@aigroup.com.au   

Housing Industry Association (HIA)

Website: https://hia.com.au/business-support/safety-solutions/federal-whs-accreditation-scheme

Contact: enquiry@hia.com.au

Master Builders Association (MBA)

Website: HAFF WHS Accreditation Scheme – Master Builders Australia

Contact: haffsafetyhelp@masterbuilders.com.au

These organisations have been provided grants from the Australian Government to help residential builders uplift their safety systems and practices so that they can gain accreditation to build homes funded by Housing Australia.

Do all FSC audit criteria apply to residential builders?

While the Scheme prescribes a range of criteria that accredited head contractor builders must meet, compliance with these requirements can be achieved through different approaches and processes. However, for residential head contractor builders applying for accreditation under the Scheme, the application of the criteria is scalable to the size and scope of the business. For example, residential head contractor builders are very unlikely to undertake tunnelling or diving work so such hazard criteria would not be relevant for an audit of a residential head contractor builder. A list of criteria that commonly apply to residential head contractor builders is provided below: 

The audits aim to verify that head contractor builders are implementing Work Health and Safety  systems and practices in line with their documented systems and processes, and that these continue to meet the requirements of the Scheme. 

If the level of compliance demonstrated at an audit is unsatisfactory the builder may need to undergo further audits.

For more information refer to:

• Fact Sheet - Corrective Actions and the Audit Process
• Auditing

Assistance for residential builders

The OFSC is working collaboratively with residential builders who require accreditation in a number of ways, including prioritised application processing and individualised guidance on safety systems.

For information on the assistance the OFSC is providing to residential builders see Residential builders undertaking Housing Australia projects.

Further assistance

To speak to an OFSC representative please call the OFSC Assist Line 1800 652 500, or email ofsc@dewr.gov.au.