Local builders receive notice about new licensing exam (joint media relea
12 July 2018
ACT Government: Builders across the
ACT who have been the subject of substantiated complaints or
disciplinary action will this week receive letters reminding them that
from next year mandatory tests may be required at renewal for builders
across the A, B and C Classes.
With a high failure rate already seen for builders seeking a C Class
licence in the ACT (the entry test requirement was introduced in 2016)
it also provides notice for builders to brush up on their skills and
knowledge.
Minister for Regulatory Services Gordon Ramsay said builders should
consider the letter as a letter of notice and take steps to lift their
performance and skills to ensure they are delivering quality, compliant
and safe
buildings in the ACT.
“It’s part of the Government’s reform program to extend exams to all
class A and B applicants. In April 2018 the ACT Government also advised
industry that mandatory tests would be introduced for a number of
licence holders seeking renewal,” he said.
“In the second half of this year all new applicants seeking an A, B or C
class licence will be required to sit and pass an examination before
obtaining a licence. The examination will test a number of areas
including an applicant’s ability to apply the
National Construction Code
to practical scenarios that may be encountered by a licensed builder.
“In addition, from 2019 examinations will be applied to licence
renewals, requiring licence holders to sit and pass an examination to
renew their licence. A particular focus will be those licensees who have
been subject to substantiated complaints or those that come to the
attention of government through compliance activities.
“Our message to industry is clear: lift your game or do not build in the
ACT.
“For both the entry and renewal tests if a builder fails two attempts,
they are out. This is significant because since the commencement of the
C class builder licence examination in 2016, 48 per cent of those who
have sat the examination failed on their first attempt, and 44 per cent
failed on their second attempt.
“So builders should take this seriously and start taking steps now to
get ready – having said this, if they are actively building in the ACT
you would hope they would have no issues in demonstrating their
knowledge.”
Minister for Planning and Land Management Mick Gentleman said the tests
announced under the reform program have been welcomed by industry as one
of a range of Government reforms to improve the practices and skills in
the building industry, and to increase the standing and confidence in
the sector
“These regulatory changes support the raft of improvements already under
way and strike the right balance between supporting a high performing
industry sector, as well as sending a clear signal that the ACT is open
for business, growth and development – but to a high standard,” he said.
“Over the next 18 months other changes will include documentation
guidelines for people preparing building approval applications for
complex buildings, including apartment buildings; new training courses
on the ACT’s building regulatory system and building approvals; codes of
practice for builders and building certifiers; and development of a new
auditing system from building approvals and building projects.
“The government is clear in its message, building quality and practices
must be improved and we will continue to work with the industry to
support this outcome for the
Canberra community.”
--ENDS--
Source: ACT Government - www.cmd.act.gov.au
Contact: Alexandra Craig 0466 024 520 Brenton Sloane 0431 252 698
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