The Building Confidence Report (BCR), published in 2018, identified there were regulatory and compliance deficiencies in the regulatory oversight of the construction of commercial buildings in Australia. Note the BCR defined commercial buildings as Class 2 – 9 buildings and we have continued to use this definition in this consultation.
Recommendation 7 of the BCR is: That each jurisdiction makes public its audit strategy for regulatory oversight of the construction of commercial buildings, with annual reporting on audit findings and outcomes.
In response to this recommendation, the BCR Implementation Team has developed a high-level principles-based framework to guide reporting on auditing. State and territory regulators are responsible for the development and publication of auditing strategies.
There were 199 responses to the survey. The BCR Implementation Team drew on these to inform the draft Auditing and Compliance Publication Framework (the draft Framework), on which we are now seeking your feedback.
As the BCR noted, the focus of recommendation 7 on Class 2 – 9 buildings does not mean that the auditing and oversight of Class 1 or 10 is not necessary or is unimportant. The intention of the recommendation is that audit programs for commercial buildings are prioritised but that auditing strategies might include domestic buildings in future noting that some jurisdictions are already actively auditing domestic buildings. This is in recognition that defects and non-compliances in commercial buildings usually present a higher risk to occupant safety and are more difficult and expensive to rectify.
This consultation uses the BCR's definitions of commercial and domestic buildings.
Additional information on building classifications is available on the ABCB website.
The draft Framework is targeted at state and territory building regulators with primary responsibility for the regulation of the construction of Class 2 – 9 buildings. The draft Framework:
Your feedback about the draft Framework will help us to ensure it reflects the needs of regulators, industry and the public and will support increased compliance with the National Construction Code, state and territory legislation and standards. This will deliver better outcomes for industry and for owners, tenants and users of Class 2 – 9 buildings in Australia.
Comments are open until 11:59PM AEDT Sunday 31 January 2021. Only comments submitted using the online form will be considered.
A preview of the consultation form is provided below.
If you have a question about this consultation, please contact bcrimplementationteam@abcb.gov.au.
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