Building Confidence: Improving the effectiveness of compliance and enforcement systems for the building and construction industry across Australia
Australian Government
This report was commissioned in 2017 by the Building Ministers’ Forum (BMF) to assess the effectiveness of compliance and enforcement systems for the building and construction industry across Australia and to examine a range of issues outlined in comprehensive terms of reference for their work. in particular the report focusses in a succinct way on shortcomings in the implementation of the National Construction Code (NCC). One of the issues the Ministers raised was the “integrity of private certification.”
The assessment aims to enhance public trust through effective implementation of building and construction standards that protect the interests of those who own, work, live, or conduct their business in Australian buildings and makes 24 recommendations:
Registration of building practitioners
Consistent requirements for registration
Continuing Professional Development
Career paths for building surveyors
Improving collaboration between regulators
Effective regulatory powers
Strategy for the proactive regulation of Commercial buildings
Collaboration with fire authorities in the development of fire safety design
Integrity of private building surveyors
Codes of conduct for building surveyors
Role of building surveyors in enforcement
Collecting and sharing data and intelligence
Responsibility of design practitioners
Adequate documentation for performance solutions
Approval of performance solutions for constructed building work
Approval of documentation throughout the construction process
Independent third party review
Mandatory inspections
Inspection and certification of fire safety system installation
A building manual for Commercial buildings
Building product safety
Dictionary of terminology
Implementation of the recommendations
Implementation plan
Contents:
Foreword
Executive Summary
Summary Of Recommendations
Background
The Terms Of Reference
Consultation
Review Of Previous Reports And Other Material
Terminology Used In This Report
Introduction:
A Performance-Based Approach To Building Regulation 9 Modern Construction Practices For Multi-Storey Residential Buildings
The Role Of The Private Building Surveyor
The Responsibility Of Builders
The Question Of Cladding
A Better System Of Harmonisation
Recommendations
Recommendation 1—Registration Of Building Practitioners
Recommendation 2—Consistent Requirements For Registration
Recommendation 3—Continuing Professional Development
Recommendation 4—Career Paths For Building Surveyors
Recommendation 5—Improving Collaboration Between Regulators
Recommendation 6—Effective Regulatory Powers
Recommendation 7—Strategy For The Proactive Regulation Of Commercial Buildings
Recommendation 8—Collaboration With Fire Authorities In The Development Of Fire Safety Design
Recommendation 9—Integrity Of Private Building Surveyors
Recommendation 10—Codes Of Conduct For Building Surveyors
Recommendation 11—Role Of Building Surveyors In Enforcement
Recommendation 12—Collecting And Sharing Data And Intelligence
Recommendation 13—Responsibility Of Design Practitioners
Recommendation 14—Adequate Documentation For Performance Solutions
Recommendation 15—Approval Of Performance Solutions For Constructed Building Work
Recommendation 16—Approval Of Documentation Throughout The Construction Process
Recommendation 17—Independent Third Party Review
Recommendation 18—Mandatory Inspections
Recommendation 19—Inspection And Certification Of Fire Safety System Installation
Recommendation 20—A Building Manual For Commercial Buildings
Recommendation 21—Building Product Safety
Recommendation 22—Dictionary Of Terminology
Recommendation 23—Implementation Of The Recommendations
Recommendation 24—Implementation Plan
Attachment A—List Of Recommendations
Attachment B—Terms Of Reference
Attachment C—Consultations
Attachment D—Submissions
Submissions
Supplementary Submissions
