NSW Building Commissioner

What we do

We are improving the quality of construction of residential apartment buildings and restoring trust in the industry.

We work closely with Fair Trading and the Department of Customer Service to implement these reforms under the leadership of David Chandler OAM, the NSW Building Commissioner.

Our reforms aim to:

Protect homebuyers from defective building work
Transform the regulator's approach
Support and upskill industry

David Chandler OAM

David Chandler OAM, NSW Building Commissioner

David Chandler OAM

NSW Building Commissioner

Building defect complaints

NSW Fair Trading manages complaints about building defects.

The Building Commissioner cannot respond directly to complaints about building defects.
Make a complaint

Contact the Building Commissioner

Contact the Building Commissioner through the NSW Fair Trading general inquiry form.

Make an enquiry

How we are improving construction standards

Low angle photo of high-rise apartment buildings.

Replacing flammable cladding

We're supporting affected strata communities to remove combustible cladding on high-risk residential apartment buildings.

Two NSW Government building inspectors in high visibility yellow vests and white hard hats inspecting an apartment during construction.

Fixing serious building defects

Project Intervene works with developers and owners corporations to fix serious defects in eligible class 2 residential apartment buildings.

A danger construction sign outside a building site

Issuing stop work, prohibition and rectification orders

We have the power to inspect building sites, stop work, stop occupation certificates from being issued, and order rectification work on residential apartment buildings.

An apartment construction site in Gosford NSW.

Increasing regulation of class 2, 3 and 9c buildings

From 2020, two laws are improving protection for home buyers. The RAB Act and DBP Act aim to prevent serious defects in regulated buildings and improve the quality of construction from design to completion.

Women in construction

Whether you work in the construction industry or not, we want to hear from you.

In NSW only 13% of people working in the construction industry are women.

We want to understand how gender influences peoples’ experiences and views on working the construction industry.

Making the construction industry open to everyone can help bring more people into jobs that need filling.

A diverse and inclusive construction industry can bring more innovation, productivity and a better economy for NSW.

Share your feedback and have your say on ways to make the construction industry a better place to work.

Have your say

Upskilling yourself through Construct NSW

An Aboriginal man is sitting at a conference table leading a meeting. He is wearing a navy blue shirt and has a laptop in front of him.

Industry events and videos

The Office of the Building Commissioner regularly holds events to keep industry professionals informed. We also have videos featuring David Chandler OAM with important information and interviews.

Group of high school students in PPE on construction site

Improve your skills with TAFE NSW

Online short courses are available to upskill the construction workforce. These were developed with TAFE NSW and industry professionals.

A male using a digital tablet on a construction site

Industry reports, case studies and tools

These resources aim to help industry professionals to adapt to new reforms and understand the importance of delivering quality building work.

Find an iCIRT rated developer or builder

ScaleWidthWyIxMDI0Il0 shutterstock construction resized 0

Find out if your developer or builder is iCIRT rated

Developers and builders must go through an independent and rigorous review process to become iCIRT rated. The registry lists businesses who have attained three stars or higher.

Hands of two builders looking at a draft construction plan

Become iCIRT rated

Developers and buildings can apply for an iCIRT rating. Receiving a positive rating can help establish credibility and confidence in your business given the risk assessment process is open and transparent and run by an independent and approved agency.

About David Chandler OAM
NSW Building Commissioner

David Chandler OAM was appointed NSW Building Commissioner in 2019 to transform the industry and lead a once-in-a-lifetime reform.

Highlights of David’s career include the management of some of Australia’s most iconic building projects: Sydney’s Quay Apartments, Canberra’s New Parliament House, and Melbourne’s South Bank.

As an Adjunct Professor in the School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics at Western Sydney University, David founded the Centre for Smart Modern Construction.

He was the Deputy Chair of the BER Implementation review and is a regular industry commentator and presenter. David was awarded an Order of Australia Medal in 1989 for his services to the construction industry.

The Office of the NSW Building Commissioner

What we do