Topics

Fact sheets

About the ABCC

Information about when the ABC Commissioner has the right to use examination powers to seek information about a suspected contravention of a designated building law.

The ABCC monitors and promotes compliance with the Building and Construction Industry (Improving Productivity) Act 2016 (BCIIP Act), designated building laws and the Code for the Tendering and Performance of Building Work 2016 (Code) by building industry participants.

The ABC Commissioner has powers and functions under legislation to help promote better workplace relations for building work and to make sure that building work is carried out fairly, efficiently and productively. These functions include education and advice, investigation and enforcement.

Australian Building and Construction Inspectors (ABC Inspectors) are appointed under the Building and Construction Industry (Improving Productivity) Act (BCIIP Act).

Fact sheets

Building Code 2016

In general terms, ‘security of payment’ refers to a building contractor’s right to receive payments that are due as outlined in their contract. For example, a head contractor must pay a subcontractor’s progress payments on time.

A summary of the Code for the Tendering and Performance of Building Work 2016 (the Code).

The Code for the Tendering and Performance of Building Work 2016 (Code) applies the definition of building work in the Building and Construction Industry (Improving Productivity) Act 2016 (BCIIP Act) with two exceptions.

Funding recipient responsibilities for Commonwealth funded building work.

Funding entity obligations for Commonwealth funded building work.

Information about the rules for employers who want to hire building workers who are from overseas.

All employees and contractors have the right to join or not join a building association, whether a union or employer body. This is called freedom of association. Everyone has the right to freedom of association under the law.

Fact sheets

Rights and responsibilities

You will lose pay for going on strike.

Make sure you’re aware of your rights and responsibilities when starting your career in the building and construction industry.

Union officials do not have an automatic right to enter workplaces. The Fair Work Act 2009 (FW Act) provides permit holders with a right to enter sites for particular purposes and requires that they do the following before entering a site:

Industrial action is primarily regulated under the Fair Work Act 2009 (FW Act). But industrial action in relation to building work is subject to more rules under the Building and Construction Industry (Improving Productivity) Act 2016 (BCIIP Act).

The prohibition on the payment of strike pay under the Fair Work Act 2009 (FW Act) also applies under the Building and Construction Industry (Improving Productivity) Act 2016 (BCIIP Act).

Coercion in the building and construction industry is unlawful under provisions of the Building and Construction Industry (Improving Productivity) Act 2016 (BCIIP Act) and the general protections provisions in the Fair Work Act 2009 (FW Act).

Freedom of association protections give employees and contractors the right to choose whether or not to join a union or industrial association.

Fact sheets

Independent contractors

Independent contractors run their own business. They usually negotiate their own fees and working arrangements and can work for more than one client at a time. Independent contractors are called contractors or subcontractors.