Functions of the Building Commission
Researching and developing building industry policy and legislation
The Building Commission will conduct its own research and will fund research by other bodies on technical, contracting and policy matters related to the building industry.
The Building Commission will develop policy proposals related to building industry standards and regulation and provide advice on building industry matters. The Building Commission will administer industry legislation and develop new and amended legislation to ensure a coherent, efficient and effective building standards and regulation framework.
Registering practitioners
The Building Commission will register building industry practitioners including builders, painters and certifiers under new legislation, construction contracts adjudicators, painters and plumbers. It will also be empowered to support the operations of practitioner registration boards that are established as separate legal entities under other legislation.
Developing and administering building and technical standards
The Building Commission will research and prepare building codes and standards, including Western Australian input to the Building Code of Australia, Plumbing Code of Australia and Australian Standards. The Building Commission will provide advice and education on building and plumbing standards.
Developing Codes of Practice and Codes of Conduct
The Building Commission will prepare and administer codes of practice for the building industry. The Code of Practice for the West Australian Building and Construction Industry will be transferred to the Building Commission for review and updating to meet current industry needs.
The Building Commission will also be able to prepare and administer codes of conduct for registered practitioners. These codes may be called up in practitioner registration legislation and adopted by registration boards as standards for professional conduct.
Approving insurance and fidelity funds
The Building Commission will be empowered to approve insurance schemes and fidelity funds to protect consumers from default of registered building practitioners.
Providing information and advice
The Building Commission will provide information on building and plumbing standards, practitioner registration, codes of practice and conduct, and consumer protection to the community, consumers and the building industry.
Auditing legislated processes
The Building Commission will audit processes established under relevant legislation, including building and plumbing certification, standards and enforcement, practitioner standards and dispute resolution procedures.
Investigating complaints
The Building Commission will investigate complaints and advise consumers on options for resolution and for obtaining redress.
Providing alternative dispute resolution processes
The Building Commission will establish alternative dispute resolution processes to deal with disputes.