Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB)

The Australian Building Codes Board is a joint initiative of all levels of government in Australia. It is responsible for developing and managing a uniform, national approach to building codes and building standards.

www.abcb.gov.au

Australian Paint Approval Scheme (APAS)

The Australian Paint Approval Scheme (APAS) develops minimum performance standards for coatings; tests and approves products available on the market; and publishes an annual List of Approved Products complying with APAS specifications. It also audits manufacturers to ensure they are complying with industry best practice manufacturing standards.

www.apas.gov.au

Australian Procurement and Construction Council (APCC)

The Australian Procurement and Construction Council (APCC) is the peak council of departments responsible for procurement and construction policy of the Australian, State and Territory governments.

www.apcc.gov.au

Big Plans

Provides information about the job and career opportunities that the building and construction industry affords young people. The site includes case studies of young people in the industry and has sections for school leavers, apprentices, teachers and parents and employers. Includes links to information on jobs in demand.

www.bigplans.com.au

Building and Construction Industry (National Code and Guidelines)

The Australian Government has developed comprehensive reforms to improve workplace relations in the building and construction industry. These reforms will lead to a more efficient, safer and productive industry for the benefit of industry participants and the Australian economy as a whole.

www.workplace.gov.au

Building Code of Australia

The Building Code of Australia is available for purchase from the On-Line Shop of the Australian Building Codes Board.

www.abcb.gov.au

CSIRO Manufacturing & Materials Technology (CMMT)

As of 1st July 2007, CSIRO Manufacturing & Materials Technology (CMMT) will now be known as CSIRO Materials Science & Engineering (CMSE). CMSE division is placed to serve the needs of manufacturing and infrastructure industries. Old website.

www.dbce.csiro.au

CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering

CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering (CMSE) provides a coordinated approach to materials design, creation, characterisation and application.

www.csiro.au

ESD Design Guide for Australian Government Buildings

This guide gives a basic introduction to ecological sustainability issues and specifically how the built environment affects them. It begins by outlining the Australian position on Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) and some key policies relevant to buildings and ESD. The next section outlines the tools that are available to help in achieving ESD in Australian Government buildings, specifically ABGR, NABERS and Green Star. The bulk of this guide is an outline of initiatives that can be put in place to minimise the environmental and social impacts of buildings.

www.environment.gov.au

Federal Safety Commissioner (FSC)

The role of the Federal Safety Commissioner (FSC) is promote and improve occupational health and safety in the building and construction industry through an OHS accreditation scheme for Australian Government building and construction work.

www.fsc.gov.au

First Home Owner Grant (FHOG)

The First Home Owner Grant Scheme (FHOGS) is a joint Australian and State Government initiative to help first home owners. The grant provides a $7000 benefit to eligible applicants. Each State and Territory Revenue Office is responsible for administering the grant in their respective jurisdiction. This site includes links to the various revenue offices.

www.firsthome.gov.au

Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS)

The Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme enables the design of a home to be assessed by skilled professionals using sophisticated computer modeling programmes to improve the quality of design and as a means of achieving building approvals.

www.nathers.gov.au

Office of the Australian Building and Construction Commissioner (ABCC)

The Office of the Australian Building and Construction Commissioner (ABCC) provides a national service to ensure that workplace relations laws are enforced in building and construction industry workplaces. The ABCC also promotes proper conduct through educating industry participants on their rights and obligations.

www.abcc.gov.au

Painting Contractors Certification Program (PCCP)

The Painting Contractor Certification Program (PCCP) is an Australian Government accreditation scheme which audits protective coating painting contractors to verify that they comply with minimum standards for competency, professionalism, OH&S and environmental requirements for large industrial painting projects.

www.apas.gov.au

Royal Commission into the Building and Construction Industry (2001-2003)

Royal Commission into the Building and Construction Industry web site. Includes the terms of reference, discussion papers, submissions, transcripts and reports.

www.royalcombci.gov.au

Water Efficiency Guide: Office and Public Buildings

The Water Efficiency Guide: Office and Public Buildings gives practical 'how to' help for building owners, managers and users to reduce water use by up to 30% to 40%. They provide an introduction to the technical and behavioural opportunities that exist in office and public buildings for reducing water consumption and increasing water reuse. The second part of the publication is the National water intensity benchmarks for office buildings and public buildings.

www.environment.gov.au

Your Home - Design for lifestyle and the future

Your Home is Australia's guide to environmentally sustainable house design and construction. Includes 300 pages of practical technical solutions for builders and designers and a 32 page consumer magazine.

www.yourhome.gov.au