The New South Wales government is launching a new initiative to ensure compliance and improve transparency across the state’s building and construction industry.
Led by the NSW Industrial Relations Construction Compliance Unit (CCU), it is designed to support government agencies and contractors to meet existing legislative, policy and contractual obligations across the construction supply chain.
The initiative will be delivered through three streams of work from this week.
Prior to the government awarding a contract, the CCU will conduct checks of publicly available records held by relevant regulators. A report of any findings will be provided to the procuring agency to support its due diligence process.
The CCU will also work with client agencies and head contractors to develop and maintain a database of subcontractors operating on NSW government construction sites, improving transparency and oversight.
The unit will conduct audits of head contractors and subcontractors to assess compliance with industrial relations obligations, including the payment of wages and superannuation. It will continue to work closely with existing contractors and the broader industry as the initiative is implemented.
NSW industrial relations minister Sophie Cotsis said the Supply Chain Initiative would play a key role in protecting building and construction workers across the state, and would ensure compliance and ethical standards across the supply chain,.
“It will protect and promote businesses who do the right thing by complying with their legal and industrial obligations,” she said.
“We will work with workers and industry to ensure that the initiative is implemented effectively, makes sense on the ground, and truly delivers over the long-term.”
Over the next 18 months, the State Government will monitor the initiative closely months and look for opportunities to continue to improve compliance.