During the 2021-22 financial year, the ACT Government undertook the following work in relation to improving and maintaining the currency of the ACT's building regulatory system:

  • Progressed policy development work on a registration scheme for engineers taking into consideration models introduced or under development in other jurisdictions, findings from the national Building Confidence Report and the views of industry stakeholders. Public consultation is expected in 2022.
  • Progressed policy work on developing swimming pool safety reforms to prevent death and serious injuries from drowning and non‑fatal drownings in home swimming pools with a focus on regulatory reforms relating to pool fencing. Community and industry consultation is expected in 2022.
  • Worked across directorates to implement the Automatic Mutual Recognition (AMR) Scheme in the ACT, focussing on the impacts of AMR on building and construction occupations. This included targeted stakeholder consultation on the proposed approach to implementation of AMR for construction occupations in the ACT.
  • Actively contributed to the development of the National Construction Code (NCC 2022), including advocating for stronger energy efficiency measures and the inclusion of minimum accessible standards for residential housing and apartments.
  • Actively contributed to the development by the ABCB Office of model guidance and other materials in response to 22 of the recommendations from the national Building Confidence Report covering:
    • Registration and training of building practitioners
    • Regulatory oversight
    • Building surveyor integrity
    • Robust and transparent systems of inspection and certification throughout the building approval process
    • Better integration of fire safety into design, construction and certification processes
    • Improving information sharing across regulators and improving understanding of building and plumbing terminology
  • Commenced assessment of a range of options to supplement and strengthen currently available building certification services. This includes consideration of a government run building certification service that would run alongside private certification services currently available. This work responds to recommendations from the ACT Inquiry into Building Quality.
  • Commenced work on options to improve the accountability of property developers for the work they do and the decisions they make. This will deliver on a number of recommendations from the ACT Inquiry into Building Quality.
  • Maintained the currency of the ACT's building regulatory system through updates to:
    • the qualifications schedules issued under the Construction Occupations (Licensing)Act 2004 which included introducing a requirement that an electrical apprenticeship must have been completed for a person to be eligible to apply for an unrestricted electrical licence.
  • Undertook work on appointments to the Architects Board to address current vacancies and appointments due to expire in 2022.
  • Ongoing engagement with the community and industry stakeholders.
  • Providing information on the operation of the ACT's building regulatory system to Government, the community, stakeholders, other jurisdictions and national bodies.