Why is accreditation required to undertake Australian Government funded building work?

Working in building and construction is dangerous. Over the last 5 years, an average of 25 construction workers a year have been killed at work

To drive higher safety standards, when building work is funded by the Australian Government, it requires the head contractor builder engaged to undertake that work to be accredited under the Work Health and Safety Accreditation Scheme (the Scheme) (subject to certain monetary thresholds and exemptions). The Scheme requires head contractor builders to demonstrate an effective WHS Management System and onsite implementation of the system to manage construction hazards and high-risk activities.

What benefits will I get from accreditation under the Scheme?

  • Builders accredited under the Scheme have lower injury frequency rates than average for the building and construction industry. 
  • Accredited builders pay less in workers’ compensation premium rates over time. After six years of accreditation, 61 percent of companies reduce their premiums by an average of 38 percent.  
  • Accredited builders are eligible to work as head contractor on any Australian Government-funded building works.  
  • There are no fees to apply for accreditation or to maintain accreditation. 
  • Ongoing advice and information provided by Federal Safety Officers during audits to better improve work health and safety management systems and ongoing compliance with the Scheme.  

What is required for accreditation?

Accreditation under the Scheme requires a head contractor builder to satisfy the Federal Safety Commissioner (FSC) that they have and are implementing appropriate work health and safety policies, procedures and safe work practices. This requires a head contractor builder to: 

  • Have a documented work health and safety management system.
  • Have experience in managing construction hazards and high-risk activities.
  • Have a positive workplace safety record with low rates of injury, particularly serious injuries. 
  • Demonstrate through an audit that the head contractor builder’s documented work health and safety management system complies with the Federal Safety Commissioner’s (FSC) Audit Criteria and is being implemented on a live construction project.
  • Declare they are complying, and will comply with, the performance requirements of the National Construction Code (NCC) that relate to building materials, as specifically required by the Scheme.  

Newly accredited head contractor builders are generally accredited for 3 years. To maintain accreditation, head contractor builders must: 

  • At all times have and implement appropriate work health and safety policies procedures and safe work practices; 
  • Undergo regular audits to confirm ongoing compliance with the Federal Safety Commissioner’s Audit Criteria (audits are typically every 6-12 months); 
  • Report to the Federal Safety Commissioner: 

    - Every 6 months on the builders’ safety performance and contracted works by submitting a Scheme Biannual Report on FSC Online, that covers a range of project data and WHS performance indicators (such as workers compensation premium rates and claim incident rates); 

    - Notifiable safety incidents that occur on their projects involving their own employees and subcontractors.  

  • Comply with the performance requirements of the National Construction Code relating to building materials. 

For more information refer to:

Further Assistance

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