Why is accreditation required to undertake Australian Government funded building work?

Working in building and construction is dangerous. Over the last 5 years, an average of 25 construction workers a year have been killed at work. 

To drive higher safety standards, when building work is funded by the Australian Government, it requires the head contractor builder engaged to undertake that work to be accredited under the Work Health and Safety Accreditation Scheme (the Scheme) (subject to certain monetary thresholds and exemptions). The Scheme requires head contractor builders to demonstrate an effective WHS Management System and onsite implementation of the system to manage construction hazards and high-risk activities.

What benefits will I get from accreditation under the Scheme?

  • Builders accredited under the Scheme have lower injury frequency rates than average for the building and construction industry. 
  • Accredited builders pay less in workers’ compensation premium rates over time. After six years of accreditation, 61 percent of companies reduce their premiums by an average of 38 percent.  
  • Accredited builders are eligible to work as head contractor on any Australian Government-funded building works.  
  • There are no fees to apply for accreditation or to maintain accreditation. 
  • Ongoing advice and information provided by Federal Safety Officers during audits to better improve work health and safety management systems and ongoing compliance with the Scheme.  

What is required for accreditation?

Accreditation under the Scheme requires a head contractor builder to satisfy the Federal Safety Commissioner (FSC) that they have and are implementing appropriate work health and safety policies, procedures and safe work practices. This requires a head contractor builder to: 

  • Have a documented work health and safety management system.
  • Have experience in managing construction hazards and high-risk activities.
  • Have a positive workplace safety record with low rates of injury, particularly serious injuries. 
  • Demonstrate through an audit that the head contractor builder’s documented work health and safety management system complies with the Federal Safety Commissioner’s (FSC) Audit Criteria and is being implemented on a live construction project.
  • Declare they are complying, and will comply with, the performance requirements of the National Construction Code (NCC) that relate to building materials, as specifically required by the Scheme.  

Newly accredited head contractor builders are generally accredited for 3 years. To maintain accreditation, head contractor builders must: 

  • At all times have and implement appropriate work health and safety policies procedures and safe work practices; 
  • Undergo regular audits to confirm ongoing compliance with the Federal Safety Commissioner’s Audit Criteria (audits are typically every 6-12 months); 

  • Report to the Federal Safety Commissioner: 

    - Every 6 months on the builders’ safety performance and contracted works by submitting a Scheme Biannual Report on FSC Online, that covers a range of project data and WHS performance indicators (such as workers compensation premium rates and claim incident rates); 

    - Notifiable safety incidents that occur on their projects involving their own employees and subcontractors.  

  • Comply with the performance requirements of the National Construction Code relating to building materials. 

For more information refer to:

What are accredited residential builders saying about the accreditation process?

A number of small and medium residential builders have now gained WHS Accreditation Scheme accreditation through the streamlined Housing Australia priority accreditation process. We asked these builders about their experiences.

  • Costs of getting accredited

Most residential builders advised us that the costs to get accredited were relatively low. Many  builders noted that existing WHS staff were able to work on the Scheme application and WHS management system transition process collaboratively with the OFSC’s Federal Safety Officer (FSO) to achieve accreditation. The OFSC covers the costs of on-site audits and provides up to 40 hours of Federal Safety Officer (FSO) assistance to all Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF)-related residential builders working towards meeting Scheme requirements. The cost to gain accreditation will vary for each builder based on the builder’s current WHS management system maturity and safety resources already in place.

  • Ease of accreditation

Many residential builders entered the accreditation process anticipating that the process was going to be “daunting,” “full on,” or “unrealistic.” However, once the accreditation process began they saw that it was wasn’t as difficult as originally thought. Builders noted that being paired up with a FSO to assist them through the process was a positive and effective experience. They reported that the FSOs were knowledgeable and helpful, providing useful guidance. FSOs worked through the Scheme audit criteria systematically with them, regularly checking in with them throughout the process. One builder said that if they’d known how easy the process was going to be they would have gotten accredited much sooner.

  • Preconceptions about accreditation – myth v reality

Some residential companies we spoke to had negative preconceptions about the Scheme before they applied, holding concerns about the accreditation process being overly strict and how long it would take to close out any corrective action reports (CARs) raised at their audits, which would ultimately lead to a delay in accreditation being granted. None of these concerns were warranted. Builders found the initial desktop Systems Validation Audit (SVA) following application to be a straightforward process which allowed them to find and rectify any gaps in their Workplace Health and Safety Management System prior to progressing to an onsite audit. The FSO availability and assistance meant that any CARs raised were able to be understood, addressed and then closed out quickly. One builder considered engaging a third-party consultant to assist them with their accreditation, but once they met and spoke with their assigned FSO, realised they could get through the process.

Further Assistance

To speak to an OFSC representative please call the OFSC Assist Line 1800 652 500, or email ofsc@dewr.gov.au.