The Building Industry Co-ordination Committee was established to more effectively align regulation of building matters across Government.

The residential building industry in New South Wales represents approximately 22 percent of Australia’s residential building activity. New building work in New South Wales during 2005/2006 amounted to some $19.2 billion.  It is important that regulation of this industry be efficient and conducive to continued growth.

In response to industry concerns that optimal co-ordination between Government agencies regulating the building and construction industry is yet to be realised, the Committee has developed a new strategic agenda.

This strategic agenda will address gaps and areas of overlap in regulation between agencies with a view to streamlining regulatory requirements. It will also address issues such as:

• ongoing suitability of the current regulatory arrangements among agencies
• fostering an economic environment that encourages training and apprenticeships
• ensuring there is no duplication of administrative or regulatory resources
• strengthening partnerships already established to ensure greater compliance.

The Committee meets on a quarterly basis and is chaired by the Director-General, Department of Commerce.  The Committee consists of senior representatives from the following Government agencies:

• Office of Fair Trading, Department of Commerce
• Department of Planning
• Department of Local Government
• WorkCover Authority
• NSW Treasury
• Building Professionals Board
• Department of Education and Training
• Department of Water and Energy
• Department of Premier and Cabinet
• Building and Construction Industry Long Service Payments Corporation
• Department of State and Regional Development.

To facilitate long-term consultation with important industry organisations, an industry reference group has also been established to provide input and guidance to the Committee.

The new direction for the Building Industry Co-ordination Committee is in line with the NSW Government’s commitment to reducing red tape and making it easier to do business in NSW.

Key contacts

Office of Fair Trading

Fair Trading serves the consumers and traders of NSW by aiming to achieve fairness in the marketplace through safeguarding consumer rights and advising business and traders on fair ethical practice.

Consumers: to lodge a complaint about a builder, or for assistance in resolving a home building dispute, contact Fair Trading on 13 32 20 or visit any Fair Trading Centre.
Lodge a complaint about a builder online
Fair Trading Centres

Industry: to enquire about continuing professional development requirements or home building licence requirements contact Fair Trading on 13 32 20.
Find out more information on this website:
Continuing Professional Development information for builders
Home building licensing requirements

WorkCover NSW

WorkCover promotes workplace health and safety and provides the workers compensation system for the employers and workers in NSW.  Its primary objective is to work in partnership with the NSW community to achieve safe workplaces, effective return to work and security for injured workers.  Members of the building industry are encouraged to sign up for WorkCover’s free monthly electronic newsletter, WorkCover eNews.

Website: www.workcover.nsw.gov.au
WorkCover Assistance Service: 13 10 50
Publications Hotline: 1300 799 003.

Department of Planning

Planning is the principal government agency with responsibility for strategic land use planning, environmental impact assessment and development approvals; and works closely with other NSW Government agencies to implement a strategic framework that ensures the appropriate development of land, facilitating the orderly provision of key infrastructure such as roads, public transport, schools and hospitals.

Customers can contact the Information Centre at 23-33 Bridge Street, Sydney on 1300 305 695, by facsimile 9228 6555 or email information@planning.nsw.gov.au

Department of Local Government

The role of the Department is to provide a framework to enable local councils to operate to a high standard.  Local councils are autonomous bodies with their own rights and powers under law and deal with such building issues as development and rezoning applications.

The Department’s website, www.dlg.nsw.gov.au, provides information on resolving problems with councils. The Department can be contacted on 4428 4100.

Building Professionals Board

Accredited certifiers (also known as ‘private certifiers’) are accredited by the Building Professionals Board to issue construction, occupation, subdivision, compliance certificates and complying development certificates under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 and strata certificates under strata legislation.

The Board is also responsible for investigating complaints against accredited certifiers; conducting audits of accredited certifiers and councils; and improving professional practice through education and training.

The Board can be contacted on 9895 5950, or by facsimile on 9895 5949. Or visit the website: www.bpb.nsw.gov.au

Department of Education and Training

The NSW Department of Education and Training delivers high quality, internationally competitive public education and training.  It is particularly focused on addressing the training needs of industry and meeting the challenge of skills shortages in certain trades and administers the NSW apprenticeship and trainee system.

Detailed information is available online at www.det.nsw.edu.au - select Training and industry.