Discussion paper: National Registration Framework for Building Practitioners

Overview

The Building Ministers’ Forum (BMF) authorised an assessment of the effectiveness of compliance and enforcement systems for the building and construction industry across Australia. The resulting Building Confidence Report (BCR) highlighted shortcomings in the implementation of the National Construction Code (NCC) and made 24 recommendations to address these issues.

The predominant goal of the BCR recommendations is to enhance public trust and confidence in the building industry, achieved through a national best practice model of building and construction standards that will strengthen the effective implementation of the NCC and protect the interests of those who own, work, live, or conduct their business in Australian buildings.

Recommendations 1 and 2 of the BCR propose the registration of building practitioners involved in the design, construction and maintenance of buildings, and that each jurisdiction prescribes consistent registration requirements covering knowledge of the NCC, competency and experience, insurance and financial viability, and integrity.

A discussion paper on a draft National Registration Framework (NRF) for Building Practitioners has been developed in response to BCR recommendations 1 and 2. The NRF, if adopted, is expected to enhance public confidence and improve national consistency in the registration of building practitioners. The NRF covers core disciplines in the fields of building production, approval and coordination.

The discussion paper seeks stakeholder feedback on the draft NRF. The feedback provided will help the BCR Implementation Team refine and improve the NRF for consideration by Building Ministers, noting that implementation of the NRF remains the responsibility of each state and territory.

There are two parts to this discussion paper:

• National Registration Framework for Building Practitioners

• National Registration Framework Taxonomy (this table is included in the discussion paper but is provided separately for ease of reference and to be used alongside the discussion paper).

Why your views matter

The ABCB agreed in November 2019 that the BCR Implementation Team would develop a draft NRF in response to BCR recommendations 1 and 2. 

The BCR Implementation Team developed the draft NRF in consultation with stakeholders in early 2020. In June 2020 the ABCB agreed to release the draft NRF in the form of a discussion paper for public comment.

Providing comment

Comments on the discussion paper are open until 11:59PM AEST Sunday 23 August 2020. Only comments submitted using the online form will be considered.

A preview of the consultation form is provided below.

What happens next

The BCR Implementation Team will consider the responses received from stakeholders. These responses will help refine and enhance the NRF. Once the NRF is finalised, it will be presented to the Board of the ABCB for its consideration and then to the Building Ministers’ Forum for endorsement.