The National Code sets minimum standards that businesses must meet to be eligible for certain Australian Government building and construction work.
The National Code Implementation Guidelines provide supporting detail on-compliance requirements.
Which construction projects are subject to the Code?
The National Code of Practice for the Construction Industry (National Code) and the Australian Government Implementation Guidelines for the National Code (Guidelines) apply to Australian building projects funded by the Australian Government according to the following funding values:
- directly funded by the Australian Government ‑ all construction activity undertaken by or on behalf of the Australian Government. This applies irrespective of the total value of the project.
- indirectly funded by the Australian Government - building and construction work where the Australian Government contributes
- at least $5 million, and the funding represents at least 50 per cent of the total construction project value, or
- $10 million or more, irrespective of the proportion the Australian Government funding represents of the total construction project value.
Privately Funded Projects
A contractor who submits a tender or expression of interest in an Australian Government funded project on or after 1 November 2005 must apply the National Code to any privately funded building and construction work they undertake that commences after that date.
How do I know which version of the Implementation Guidelines apply?
There are several versions of the Guidelines. Which version applies to a construction project depends on the date the expressions of interest or tenders were first called for.
|
Date when expressions of interest or tenders were first called for |
Applicable Guidelines |
|
On or after 1 August 2009 |
2009 Guidelines (purple cover) |
|
From 1 November 2005 to 31 July 2009 |
2006 Guidelines (blue cover) |
If you are working on a National Code project that had an expression of interest or tender advertised prior to 1 November 2005 then contact the ABCC for assistance on what version of the Guidelines will apply.
The version of the Guidelines that apply on a particular construction project should be stated in the ‘Request for Tender’ documents. If not, you should contact your head contractor or responsible government agency.
The version of the Guidelines that applies at the commencement of the project will continue to apply for the life of the project.