The National Code of Practice for the Construction Industry (the Code) is a set of principles which describes good practice in respect of workplace relations, occupational health and safety, procurement and security of payment in the construction industry.
- National Code of Practice for the Construction Industry (
PDF 111KB)
The Australian Government Implementation Guidelines (the Guidelines) were developed to assist Australian Government agencies with the implementation of the code, and to provide further advice and assistance on the operation of the Code on Australian Government funded construction projects.
The Code and Guidelines covers the responsibilities of Australian Government agencies as clients, project managers, contractors, subcontractors, consultants, related entities, industrial associations and employers.
Different versions of the Guidelines apply
Australian Government Implementation Guidelines for the National Code of Practice for the Building and Construction Industry (the Guidelines).
Where expressions of interest, or tenders are called for, on or after 1 August 2009:
The changes align the Guidelines with:
- the provisions of the Fair Work Act 2009
- the comments/suggestions made by the Hon. Murray Wilcox QC in his report, Transition to Fair Work Australia for the Building and Construction Industry
- the extensive consultations Government has undertaken with State and Territory Governments, Employee and Employer associations and major contractors, in the review of the Guidelines.
Fact sheets and Model Tender and Contract Documentation have been developed to assist you in understanding and implementing your responsibilities under the Code and Guidelines, August 2009.
- A Guide for Government Agencies, August 2009 ( PDF 119 KB)
- A Guide to Code Monitoring and Sanctions, August 2009 ( PDF 108 KB)
- Model tender and contract documentation, August 2009 ( PDF 140 KB)
Where expressions of interest, or tenders are called for, on or after 1 November 2005 but before 1 August 2009:
- Guidelines - revised September 2005, reissued June 2006 ( PDF 253KB)
In November 2006, Section 8.1.2 of these Guidelines was amended. This amendment took effect on 3 November 2006.
Fact sheets have been developed to assist you in understanding your responsibilities under the Code and Guidelines, revised September 2005, reissued June 2006.
Where funding or formal arrangement was entered into on or after 1 January 2004 but before 1 November 2005:
- Guidelines - issued December 2003 ( PDF 263KB)
Fact sheets have been developed to assist you in understanding your responsibilities under the Code and Guidelines, issued December 2003.
The Guidelines, revised September 2005, have been updated to reflect the introduction of WorkChoices. All parties deemed compliant under these Guidelines are considered to be compliant with the Guidelines revised September 2005, reissued June 2006.
- Guidelines revised September 2005, reissued June 2006 ( PDF 253KB)
General Queries
For general queries about the Code and Guidelines, or the Code Monitoring Group Secretariat, contact:
For assessment of workplace arrangements, including industrial instruments (awards, workplace agreements, etc) for Code compliance, contact: