Australian Building and Construction Commission
ABCC
2 December 2016 – 6 February 2023
Re-established building and construction industry regulator with strengthened coercive powers and higher penalties, which investigated and prosecuted unlawful industrial action, coercion and right-of-entry breaches and enforced the 2016 building code.
How it came into existence
Established on 2 December 2016 by the Building and Construction Industry (Improving Productivity) Act 2016, replacing the Office of the Fair Work Building Industry Inspectorate (Fair Work Building and Construction), whose staff and matters transferred to it.
Legislation: Building and Construction Industry (Improving Productivity) Act 2016
Changes during its life
- 1 February 2020Moved to the Attorney-General's portfolio when industrial relations was transferred to the Attorney-General's Department.
- 1 July 2022Moved to the new Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.
How it ended
Abolished on 6 February 2023 by the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Act 2022, which retitled its Act the Federal Safety Commissioner Act 2022; its workplace compliance functions and staff went to the Fair Work Ombudsman, while the Federal Safety Commissioner continued separately.
- Workplace relations compliance in the building and construction industry
Main functions
- Investigating unlawful industrial action and coercion in construction
- Compulsory examination of witnesses
- Prosecuting breaches of workplace and right-of-entry laws
- Enforcing the Code for the Tendering and Performance of Building Work 2016
- Advice and education for industry participants
Where it sits
Last in the portfolio of Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.
Lineage
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Sources
Primary sources
- Australian Government Organisations Register (Department of Finance, data.gov.au) (listed from 3 February 2017 to 1 January 2023)