Building and construction resources

Tools and templates

• Guidance material for certifiers (PDF, 212 KB) outlining how to approach ‘staged building work’ and how too select the applicable edition of the Building Code of Australia (BCA)

• Certifier Practice Standard supporting certifiers to carry out their statutory obligations, and making clear the professional obligations and conduct of certifiers as public officials

• Design and Building Practitioner Act resources including downloadable forms and guidance material to meet your new obligations.

• Building defects library lists the most common building defects for Certifiers, Councils and other relevant industry members. By making these available in one place it will help quicken the drafting of formal communication to rectify defects.

• Project Remediate Pattern Book contains a guidance document and technical drawings to help consultants replace combustible cladding.

Sample construction contracts

These sample construction contracts, also known as model clauses, support industry to adapt to their new declaration obligations under the Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020.

They are provided as information only and not as legal advice, and they do not address contract matters other than the Design and Building Practitioners Act. Contracting parties should obtain legal advice about including the use of the model clauses in their construction contracts.

• Construct-only building contract (PDF 400.52KB)
• Design consultancy agreement (DOCX 113.08KB)

Case studies

• Broken promises, blame games and balconies (PDF 720.66KB) an interim report about the defects experienced at the Otto 2 development in Rosebery, NSW.

• Construct NSW - improving governance and contracts (PDF 543.12KB) a research report on contracts for the design and construction of large residential apartment buildings.

• The house with no piers (PDF 417.82KB) review of the issues relating to alleged defects in the construction of a home and the related complaints and dispute process.

Research

• Research on women in the construction industry (Jan 2024)
• Research on serious building defects in NSW strata communities (Dec 2023)
• Research on improving governance and contracts in NSW construction (Aug 2022)

• Research on consumer confidence to purchase apartments (McCrindle report) (May 2022)

• Improving fire safety in new and existing buildings: industry report (Oct 2021)

• Research report on serious defects in recently completed strata buildings across NSW (PDF 2.37MB) (Sep 2021)

• Research report into industry digitalisation with Western Sydney University (Aug 2021)

Industry guides

These guidance materials have been developed by industry groups with input from the Building Commission NSW.

• NATSPEC NSW Class 2 Reference Specification providing information on minimum standards for class 2 buildings, and supporting practitioners to identify the products and techniques that are fit for purpose
• Guide for design practitioners and engineers on the Design and Building Practitioners Act (developed by Consult Australia, Engineers Australia and the Australian Institute of Architects)