What is a funding entity?

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According to the Code, each of the following is a funding entity:

A) A non-corporate Commonwealth entity as defined in the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (PGPA Act).

B) A corporate Commonwealth entity as defined in the PGPA Act that is directed by the Minister for Finance to comply with the Building Code 2016.

A complete list of Commonwealth entities and companies is published annually by the Department of Finance. If your agency’s name is shaded purple, it’s a funding entity.

View the complete list of PGPA Act Commonwealth entities and companies.

If you’d like to learn more about what defines a funding entity, you can review the complete PGPA Act here.

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Overview

What if I bid for Commonwealth funded building work after 2 December 2016 and therefore become a code covered entity? Do my obligations change on my Building Code 2013 projects?

No. Your obligations on existing Building Code 2013 projects don’t change once you become a code covered entity. However, you’ll be required to comply with the Code on any new projects, including private projects that you express interest in or tender for after becoming a code covered entity.

I am a head contractor on a Code project. What happens if I engage subcontractors* to undertake building work on that project?

Subcontractors tendering after 2 December 2016 become subject to the Code on that project and future projects, which makes them code covered entities.

As a code covered entity you are required to ensure that any subcontractors you engage comply with the Code. Requirements in respect of compliance with the Code differ slightly depending on whether the project is directly or indirectly funded by the Commonwealth.

When subcontracting the work you should:

only engage subcontractors who meet the eligibility requirements (section 23)
- you can use Model Clause Type B in your tender and contract documentation
- you can request a Letter of Compliance or Self-Declaration (as applicable) from the subcontractor. The ABCC’s proof of eligibility assessment tool outlines when Letters of Compliance or Self-Declarations may apply
for projects that are directly funded by the Commonwealth, only enter a contract in respect of building work with a code covered entity that only uses products that comply with the relevant Australian standards published by, or on behalf of, Standards Australia. This requirement is not mandatory for projects that are indirectly funded by the Commonwealth. However, it’s recommended that it be implemented as a matter of best practice
require subcontractors:
- to advise you, prior to entering into a contract with them, whether the subcontractor has, within the preceding three years:
  - had an adverse decision direction or order made by a court or tribunal for a breach of a designated building law, work health and safety law or the Migration Act 1958
  - been required to pay any amounts under an adjudication certificate (provided in accordance with a law relating to the security of payments that are due to persons in respect of building work) or owed any unsatisfied judgement debts (including by any related entity) to a building contractor or building industry participant
- for projects that are directly funded by the Commonwealth only, to update the advice referred above every six months for the duration of the contract between you and the subcontractor
ensure that all subcontractors on site comply with the WRMP that applies to the building work
ensure as far as reasonably practicable that contractors who you engage take remedial action to rectify non-compliant behaviour.

_{*The Code may require a person to comply with it in respect of building work only if the person is a building contractor that is a constitutional corporation or a building industry participant carrying out work in a Territory or Commonwealth place. The definition of building industry participant includes building contractors.
Contractors engaging subcontractors who are not constitutional corporations or are not carrying out work in a Territory or Commonwealth place must ensure that any agreement entered into in relation to building work with the subcontractor requires the subcontractor to act consistently with the Code in respect of building work that is the subject of the agreement.}

When does the Code apply?

If you’re a building contractor or other type of building industry participant that can be required to comply with the Code by section 34 of the BCIIP Act, then you become subject to the Code from the first time you submit an expression of interest (EOI) or tender (howsoever described) for Commonwealth funded building work on or after 2 December 2016. This makes you a ‘code covered entity’.

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What is a funding entity?

Overview

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I bid for Commonwealth funded building work after 2 December 2016 and therefore become a code covered entity? Do my obligations change on my Building Code 2013 projects?

I am a head contractor on a Code project. What happens if I engage subcontractors* to undertake building work on that project?

When does the Code apply?

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What is a funding entity?

Overview

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I bid for Commonwealth funded building work after 2 December 2016 and therefore become a code covered entity? Do my obligations change on my Building Code 2013 projects?

I am a head contractor on a Code project. What happens if I engage subcontractors* to undertake building work on that project?

When does the Code apply?