Building and construction resources

This page has a range of resources to help industry adapt to our reforms and deliver quality building work.

Last updated: 07 October 2021

On this page

Tools and templates

Sample OC Audit Report (PDF, 554KB) providing information about the OC Audit process and which elements may be inspected by Fair Trading during an audit.
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.

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.

Case studies

Skyview Enforceable Undertaking developer agreement to provide an ongoing inspection and maintenance program backed by financial guarantees.
The house with no piers (PDF, 445.47 KB) review of the issues relating to alleged defects in the construction of a home and the related complaints and dispute process.

Research

Improving fire safety in new and existing buildings: industry report [Oct 2021]
Research on serious building defects in NSW strata communities [Oct 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 OBC.

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)

Media releases

View our media releases

Topic	Media release	Date
Inspection report	Canterbury development report findings release	19 Oct 2021
Research	NSW government to build confidence in defect fixes	06 Oct 2021
Research	Digital insights to improve building quality	31 Aug 2021
Ratings	First fifty developers to be risk rated using new tool	30 July 2021
Legislative reform	Purchasers benefit from developer agreement at the skyview project	26 July 2021
Ratings	Data profiling used to target risky players	13 July 2021
Digital tools	New tool to determine quality and trustworthiness of NSW residential buildings	9 July 2021
Legislative reform	Next phase of apartment buyer protections commence	1 July 2021
Transforming the regulator	$5 million boost to building safety standards	22 Jun 2021
Transforming the regulator	New audit program cracking down on crooked certifiers	3 May 2021
Digital tools	Digital hub to revolutionise strata management	1 Mar 2021
Legislative reform	Have your say on changes to how building design and constructions is regulated in NSW	1 Dec 2020
Industry resources	New Certifiers’ Practice Guide released	2 Nov 2020
Legislative reform	New Residential Apartment Building Act comes into effect	31 Aug 2020
Digital tools	Now everyone can lodge DAs via the digital platform	7 July 2020
Legislative reform	Strengthened protection for consumers during certification	1 July 2020

Latest videos

Watch more videos on the Building Commissioner's YouTube playlist.