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.
See other ABCC fact sheets to determine when the National Code applies and which set of Guidelines to use.
This fact sheet is relevant to projects complying with the June 2006 Guidelines.
The Office of the Australian Building and Construction Commissioner (ABCC) monitors the workplace relations aspects of the National Code of Practice for the Construction Industry (National Code). The ABCC provides education and advice on the practical application of the National Code and the Australian Government Implementation Guidelines for the National Code (Guidelines). It conducts site visits, inspections and audits and may refer the results of its investigations to the Code Monitoring Group (CMG).
Site Visits
Site visits are short visits conducted by the ABCC. The purpose of a site visit is to establish contact and liaise with site management. This provides an opportunity for site management to gain information on their responsibilities under the National Code and Guidelines.
Site Inspections
The purpose of an inspection is to promote awareness of the National Code and provide advice on compliance. Inspections include a review of on-site systems, behaviours, documents and processes and usually take 3-4 hours. On average, two days notice is given to site management prior to an inspection. An inspection report is forwarded to the CMG.
Audits
Audits are an in-depth examination of business systems and practices to ensure they are consistent with the National Code and Guidelines.
On-site
Prior notice of an audit is provided to the head contractor. On-site audits usually take 3-4 days and typically involve:
- briefing site management on the audit process
- examining site records, including electronic records
- obtaining copies of relevant documents
- conducting a physical site inspection
- recording formal interviews with selected contractors..
Upon conclusion of the on-site audit a debriefing session is conducted with site management.
Reports
Reports are prepared for the government client agency, project manager, head contractor and subcontractors involved in the audit. Advice of the findings and suggested rectification of issues are reported to the government client agency. Copies of the reports are forwarded to the CMG for information and action.
Advice for building industry participants
It is important that you keep records and documents that demonstrate your efforts to be compliant with the National Code and Guidelines. This includes contracts, tender documents, industrial agreements and right of entry records.
Further information
To make an enquiry or obtain copies of the National Code and Guidelines, fact sheets and other reference material contact:
The Office of the Australian Building and Construction Commissioner
Hotline: 1800 003 338
Website: www.abcc.gov.au
Email: enquiry@abcc.gov.au
The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations
National Code Mailbox: building@deewr.gov.au
National Code Hotline: 1300 731 293
For an assessment of workplace arrangements for National Code compliance
Code Assessments Online: www.deewr.gov.au/building
Print version: Role of the ABCC in administering the National Code(PDF 112KB)
Last modified: 7 May 2010 V4.01