Federal Safety Commissioner

The Commissioner administers the Australian Government Building and Construction WHS Accreditation Scheme. Only companies accredited by the Commissioner may undertake Commonwealth-funded building and construction projects subject to certain financial thresholds. The Commissioner promotes improvements in safety more broadly in the industry and now also ensures that only building products that meet the Australian Standard are utilised on Commonwealth funded projects. The position was established by the Fair Work (Building Industry) Act 2012, and continued in existence by the Building and Construction Industry (Improving Productivity) Act 2016.