Building and Energy is pleased to announce two initiatives to support prospective adjudicators/review adjudicators in gaining registration under the Building and Construction Industry (Security of Payment) Act 2021 (Act):

1. an approved training course to be run by Jackson McDonald and supported by Building and Energy from Monday 23 May 2022; and
2. the waiving of all application and registration fees under the Act for the first 12 months of operation. 

Approved training course

Building and Energy is seeking expressions of interest from persons who wish to undertake an approved training course to meet the requirements for registration as a provisional adjudicator, adjudicator or review adjudicator under the Act.

The training course will commence on Monday, 23 May 2022 and be delivered by Western Australian law firm Jackson McDonald in collaboration with Building and Energy.

There are only 12 places available on the course. The cost of all places will be met by Building and Energy, but participants will be responsible for meeting their own incidental costs (for example leave from work, stationary, printing and technology costs).

The course will comprise:

• Three full days (9am-to-5pm AWST) of online workshops (through Microsoft Teams) starting on Monday, 23 May 2022 and ending Wednesday, 25 May 2022.
• A short written examination to be completed at home. The examination should take no longer than 3 hours to complete, the questions will be provided to participants on the last day of the training course, and the written response must be returned by 5pm (AWST Monday, 30 May 2022.
• A written mock determination under the Act to be completed within 10 business days after completion of the written examination. The assessment will be released at 9am (AWST) on Tuesday, 31 May 2022.

The course components are consistent with the Building Commissioner’s Policy on the approval of adjudicator training courses.

As places are limited, the course is being offered only on an expression of interest basis.

Persons granted a place must be able to commit to full completion of the course, including attendance at all workshops and completion of all examinations within the time required. Attendance and assessment will be on a pass/fail basis. No re-sits of assessments will be offered (except in exceptional circumstances).

All expressions of interest received will be assessed against the following selection criteria:

• eligibility for registration as a provisional adjudicator under section 110 of the Act;
• substantial experience in conducting adjudications under the Construction Contracts Act 2004 or a corresponding security of payment law, or experience as a judicial officer;
• engaged or likely to be engaged by industry bodies or organisations to deliver training or other information on the Act; and
• equity and diversity considerations.

To register your interest, please send your application to adjudicator.registration@demirs.wa.gov.au, and include:

• a detailed Curriculum Vitae (PDF version only) clearly detailing educational and professional experience relevant to the administration of construction contracts or in the resolution of disputes in connection with construction contract; and
• a brief covering letter (PDF version only) addressing the selection criteria.

Please be sure to include your correct contact details (such as phone number and email). Expressions of interest must be received by no later than 5pm (AWST) Friday 29 April 2022. Late expressions of interest may not be considered.

Building and Energy will contact successful candidates by Friday 6 May 2022, to provide further details including the course syllabus, essential pre-reading materials and calendar invitations.

Candidates who are unsuccessful will not be contacted and no feedback will be provided.

You will however be added to a waitlist and depending on the level of interest in undertaking the course and the number of suitable candidates, the course may be run again in late June/July 2022.

Persons interested in becoming registered as an adjudicator under the Act are under no obligation to complete this particular course. You may complete an adjudicator training course prepared and offered by a nominating authority or other organisation to meet registration requirements, if the course aligns with the Building Commissioner’s Policy on the approval of adjudicator training courses.

Waiving of application and registration fees for the first 12 months

To further support the building and construction industry and the implementation of the Act, the Building Commissioner will be waiving all application and registration fees for adjudicators and review adjudicators for the first 12 months of operation.

The waiver will be in place from 1 August 2022 to 1 August 2023. After this time applicants will need to pay the application and registration fees prescribed in the relevant regulations.

Further details on the process for registration as an adjudicator or review adjudicator (including the required forms) will be made available on the Building and Energy website in the near future.