New legislation will improve the Territory’s building regulatory system, Rebecca Vassarotti, ACT Minister for Sustainable Building and Construction, says.

The Building and Construction Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 introduces new requirements for industry professionals to meet, which the minister says will improve accountability and standards in the ACT building and construction sector. 

“The ACT Government is supporting better building quality and safety, by boosting regulation of building, electrical, gas fitting and plumbing works,” Ms Vassarotti said.  

There will be new licensing requirements for installation of medical gas and renewable energy systems, such as rooftop solar.

“These measures will make sure systems are installed correctly, and safely, by appropriately qualified and licensed professionals to keep the community safe,” Ms Vassarotti said.  

“The need for a regulatory framework for medical gas systems stems from two incidents in New South Wales where infants were administered nitrous oxide instead of oxygen in a hospital, resulting in one fatality and one serious injury.

“This is an unfortunate series of events, and this legislation is being passed as a preventative measure in the ACT.”

The Bill will also support the timely payment of contractors “to ensure financial security for those working within the industry”, Ms Vassarotti said, and improve the quality and safety of electrical work undertaken in the ACT.

Electrical installations that have sat idle for six months or longer will need to be inspected, tested, and passed by an inspector. Electrical inspectors will be able to assess whether an installation is becoming unsafe and act at this point. 

“We will continue to monitor and evaluate our building rules to make sure they are fit-for-purpose and are responding to new and emerging issues in the building and construction industry,” Ms Vassarotti said.

For more information about the amendments contained in the Building and Construction Legislation Amendment Act 2023 and its commencement, visit the Build, Buy, Renovate website.