AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

CONSTRUCTION PRACTITIONERS REGISTRATION ACT 1998

MAKING OF CODE OF ETHICS TO BE OBSERVED BY REGISTERED CONSTRUCTION PRACTITIONERS

NO. 289 of 2001

Pursuant to subsection 12(1) the Construction Practitioners Registration Act, I make the attached code of ethics to be observed by registered construction practitioners.

Dated this 4th day of September 2001

Alan Thompson
Chief Executive
Department of Urban Services

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

CODE OF ETHICS TO BE OBSERVED BY
REGISTERED CONSTRUCTION PRACTITIONERS
 
Made under the Construction Practitioners Registration Act 1998 

INTRODUCTION
The name of this code is the 
Code of Ethics to be Observed by Registered Construction Practitioners. 
It is made under section 12 of the Construction Practitioners Registration Act 1998. 
It has application to all persons registered under that Act.  
Failure to comply with the provisions of this code can result in disciplinary proceedings being instigated under paragraph 20(e) of that Act.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this code is to protect the welfare, safety and health of consumers and the community by:
(i) endeavouring to ensure compliance with relevant legislation and standards, particularly:
	the Building Act 1972; 
	the Building Regulations; 
	the Building Code of Australia;
	the Water and Sewage Act 2000;
	the Construction Practitioners Registration Act 1998;
	the Construction Practitioners Registration Regulations; and 
	this code of ethics; and
(ii) setting out requirements for appropriate professional conduct and ethical behaviour for persons registered under the Construction Practitioners Registration Act 1998.

INTERPRETATION
This code focuses on essential matters and sets out the minimum requirements.  It should not however, be narrowly interpreted.  It is equally important that the spirit of these principles should govern professional conduct and that all persons registered under the Construction Practitioners Registration Act 1998 should strive to achieve a level of professionalism in excess of the minimum requirements.
ADMINISTERING THE CODE
This code is administered by:
ACT Building, Electrical and Plumbing Control (BEPCON),
a section within the
Planning and Land Management Group (PALM),
of the
ACT Department of Urban Services.
Notification of the adoption of, revocations of, and/or amendments to this code is published in the Australian Capital Territory Gazette. 

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

CODE OF ETHICS TO BE OBSERVED BY 
REGISTERED CONSTRUCTION PRACTITIONERS
A code under section 12 of the Construction Practitioners Registration Act 1998
PROVISIONS
Construction Practitioners registered under the Construction Practitioners Registration Act 1998 commit themselves to:
•	honesty;
•	fairness;
•	independence;
•	competence; and
•	respect for the laws in force in the Australian Capital Territory.
In that regard, they shall:
1.	be dedicated to upholding the public interest of ensuring safe and healthy building work and plumbing and drainage work;
2.	deal honestly with, and not make any false or misleading representations to clients, government authorities and the public in general;
3.	be objective, impartial and free of any conflict of interest in the performance of their duties and not have an “interest” in the work that they are involved with, as set out in section 8 of the Construction Practitioners Registration 
Act 1998;

4.	act with due care, competence and diligence in the performance of their duties;
5.	respect the laws in force in the Australian Capital Territory and not participate in any practice that would constitute or aid and abet any contravention of applicable legislation;
6.	ensure that  they keep their knowledge up to date in regard to relevant legislation, codes, standards and practices;
7.	take reasonable steps to undertake their duties in a timely manner and to satisfy statutory limitations;
8.	not undertake any work that is beyond his or her competence, expertise or qualifications and, instead, obtain appropriate specialist advice; and
9.	on cessation of his or her appointment as a certifier in respect of a parcel of land, submit a report within seven days to the Building Controller, of the work done, provided the practitioner is paid the necessary fees as a result of his or her services. 
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