Registering as a prequalified Building Construction Contractor

What does registration mean?

Also known as prequalification, registration establishes a reliable and objective assessment of the capacity of a contractor to complete the work required and optimise the predictability of project outcomes, including time, cost and quality.

Contractor registration is divided into two schemes. For non-residential building with a construction cost estimate of $50 million or above, contractors should register for the National Prequalification System for Non-residential Building. For all other building and construction projects, contractors should register with the Treasury Prequalification Scheme.

Information on both of these systems is set out below.

National Prequalification System for Non-residential Building

The Australasian Procurement and Construction Council (APCC), in conjunction with all states and territories, has developed a national prequalification system for non-residential building, known as the NPS. The national system applies to non-residential building projects where the construction cost estimate is $50 million and over.

The NPS prequalifies contractors for projects at and above the $50 million threshold in five categories: Construct/construct only; Design and Construct; Managing Contractor; Design, Construct and Maintain; and Relationship.

The NPS was implemented on 1 January 2011 and applies to procurements commenced on or after 1 March 2011.

The system allows contractors prequalified in one jurisdiction, to apply for mutual recognition of their prequalification, in any other jurisdiction at any time.

Information on the NPS, including copies of the Guideline, the Application Form and associated documentation is accessible on the APCC website at http://www.apcc.gov.au.

For information on registering, or being mutually recognised, in Tasmania please contact the Contracts Officer, Procurement and Property Branch, Department of Treasury and Finance on (03) 6233 2917 or by email at prequalified@treasury.tas.gov.au.

Treasury Prequalification Scheme

The Department of Treasury and Finance maintains a contractor prequalification scheme for prequalification outside of the NPS.  Contractor registration is divided into the following categories:

• Building Works - Institutional;
• Building Works - Residential;
• Electrical Services;
• Mechanical Services;
• Fire Services;
• Building Systems - Monitoring and Control; and
• Facilities Management and Maintenance.

Registration is valid for two years.

Lodgement of an application for registration constitutes a contractors agreement to comply with the National Code of Practice for the Construction Industry.

Who needs to register?

Registration is for contractors and, where appropriate, selected specialist sub-contractors seeking to tender for government building construction services contracts that have a value of $100 000 or more.

Contractor registration is not required for specialised services that are not included in the registration categories.

Building services maintenance contractors are registered but residential maintenance contractors are not. If you are a residential maintenance contractor you should contact individual agencies and request the opportunity to bid for work. See getting known for some marketing tips.

Registering under the NPS will also result in registration for the category of major works: building works institutional under this scheme. Registration under any other category will require a separate application.

What should be in my application?

Before you complete your application form you need to read the guidelines for Registration as an Approved Contractor for Building Construction and Maintenance Services.

When completing the form it is very important that you provide enough information for an assessment to be made and that you provide a professionally completed application. Your application will address:

For a copy of the application form to register click here.

Click here to find out more on the prequalification process.