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

Staged approach to non-compliance

From 1 July 2024, non-compliance with Building Equality Policy (BEP) applicable contracts will be managed using a staged approach:

Compliance arrangements will be identified in tender documentation and form part of the contract between the Victorian Government and the preferred Contractor.

Contractors experiencing or anticipating difficulties meeting BEP contractual obligations must notify the contract manager in writing as soon as practicable.

Contract managers will work with Contractors facing challenges to mutually agree on alternative appropriate obligations.

The contract manager must confirm agreed alternative actions in writing to the Contractor, outlining evidentiary and reporting requirements.

For further information, please visit Buying for Victoria or contact ICN Victoria.

Important updates on the Building Equality Policy.

From 1 July 2024, several updates to the policy including:

The transitional period ended on 30 June 2024.

Non-compliance will be managed using a staged approach (not applied retrospectively).

New Gender Equality Action Plan (GEAP) templates have been released, focusing on streamlining policy requirements for suppliers.

Further information is available on the Buying for Victoria website, or through our webinars and fact sheets below.

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

Valued at $20 million or more (excluding GST).

Request for Tenders released after 1 January 2022.

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

Tayla Holland – tholland@icnvic.org.au – 0477 996 535