Building Equality Policy

In December 2021, the Government announced its Building Equality Policy to improve gender equality in the building, infrastructure, and civil engineering sectors. The policy is being implemented through the Social Procurement Framework aligning with the Women’s equality and safety objective. 

Building Equality Policy

Important update on the Building Equality Policy.

In the lead up to the end of the transition period several updates have been made to the policy including:

the transition period is extended by 6 months, ending 30 June 2024
from 1 July 2024 non-compliance will be managed using a staged approach. This does not apply retrospectively.
from 1 January 2024, cadets will be included in Action 2 engage women as apprentices, trainees and cadets. This does not apply retrospectively
definition of Management, Supervisor and Specialist Labour has been updated.

Further information can be found on the Buying for Victoria website or in the fact sheets below.

The policy applies to all publicly funded construction projects that meet the following requirements: 

Valued at $20 million or more (excluding GST). 
Request for Tenders released after 1 January 2022.

The Building Equality Policy is subject to a transitional implementation period until 30 June 2024. From 1 July 2024 non-compliance will be managed using a staged approach. This does not apply retrospectively 

Responding to tenders

The policy requires suppliers to undertake the following: 

Action 1: Meet project specific gender equality targets. 
Action 2: Engage women as apprentices, trainees and cadets.
Action 3: Require gender equality action plans.

Tenderers are required to address how they will meet or exceed the targets in Action 1 and Action 2 and submit the following with their tender for Action 3: 

an Organisation Wide Gender Equality Action Plan. 
an Organisation Wide Workplace Gender Audit. 
a Project Specific Gender Equality Action Plan.

Templates are located on the Buying for Victoria website.

When responding to tenders that have Building Equality Policy targets, Tenderers must: 

Provide their responses in the Response Schedules. 
Provide commitments in the Social Procurement Commitment Proposal.

Targets: 

Trade covered labour positions: at least 3 % of each trade position must be performed by women. 
Non-trade Construction Award covered labour: at least 7 % of each non-trade Construction Award covered labour position must be performed by women. 
Management/supervisory and specialist labour (staff): at least 35 % of each management/supervisory and specialist labour (staff) position must be performed by women. 
Contractors must engage women as apprentices, trainees and cadets for at least 4% of the contract works’ total estimated labour hours.

 Additional information for suppliers is located on the Buying for Victoria website. 

 Reporting requirements 

Reporting will be captured in the Victorian Management Centre (VMC).

Training videos accessible within the VMC “User Guide” section or via our website.

 Contact

Janelle Williams – jwilliams@icnvic.org.au – 0473 243 865