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Now available - Industry Report on Constructing Building Integrity: Raising Standards Through Professionalism

As a lead partner organisation in the Australian Research Council Linkage Project on Constructing Building Integrity: Raising standards through professionalism, the Professional Standards Councils are pleased to share the Industry Report. This report presents clear and telling insights into the tensions that exist for the professions in delivering much needed quality residential apartments. The identified pathways to action will strengthen ethical and professional standards in the construction sector, increase accountability and build public trust.

The report is the culmination of a three-year collaborative project undertaken by Griffith University, University of NSW, Torrens University and Curtin University with funding and support from the Australian Research Council, Professional Standards Councils, Queensland Department of Housing, Local Government, Planning and Public Works, Western Australian Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety, and Corrs Chambers Westgarth

The Linkage Project investigated the role of professions in rebuilding trust in residential building construction in Australia. Released today, the Industry Report examines the factors driving professional standards in the industry and provides strategic recommendations aimed at enhancing the quality of building outcomes through better leveraging of professional standards.

Chair of the Councils, Mr John Vines OAM, commended the research and said it emphasised the value of professions and regulatory bodies working together to improve professional standards.

“On behalf of the Councils, I thank the university research teams and our partner investigators for their efforts in preparing this valuable report,” Mr Vines said.

“The Industry Report provides practical recommendations for elevating professional standards across the industry and highlights the role that all stakeholders – including individual practitioners, regulators and professional bodies, can play in this effort.”

The research observed key features that made ethics and quality outcomes less likely or more likely. Researchers examined the standards, regulations and practices within each profession, and the quality of interactions and collaborations across professions.

The Councils CEO, Roxane Marcelle-Shaw, said that while focused on the building and construction industry, the report provides valuable evidence on the challenges and opportunities for advancing professional standards and professionalism applicable across all sectors and occupational groups.

“Integrity and professionalism are the foundation of trustworthy advice services to Australian consumers. The insights provided in this report will serve as a valuable resource for association leaders and regulators looking to improve practices and outcomes in all professions,” Ms Marcelle-Shaw said.

“I encourage professional associations across the national system to consider how this research might assist them in the continuous improvement and promotion of the highest professional standards.”

The full report and further information about the Linkage Project is available here.

Group photo of researchers
Picture: (L-R) Dr. Hugh Breakey (Griffith University), Councils’ Chair Mr John Vines OAM, Prof. Hazel Easthope (UNSW), Elizabeth Bazen (Curtin University), Prof. Sacha Reid (Griffith University), Dr. Katja Cooper (Griffith University), Dr. Sancia West (Authority Senior Research Officer), Prof. Charles Sampford (Project Lead, Griffith University) and Peter Gow (Project Chair).

Key findings

  • Integrity system mapping reveals a complex web of industry players (components), with varying levels of connectedness and influence.
  • Variability in qualification, education and training, and accreditation standards creates various ethical tensions (e.g. competence and work fragmentation) across the building sector professions.
  • Ethical tensions arise when professionals interact with each other on projects and the resulting integrity system weaknesses can increase the likelihood of construction defects. However, collaboration between professionals promises higher quality.
  • Professional associations can improve professionalism by having a multi-pronged focus on clients, professionals and the public interest, promoting ethical standards through practical codes of conduct, implementing robust governance processes, and advocating for their industry.
  • The efficacy of regulatory frameworks that codify professional standards and provide monitoring and oversight of industry practices varies significantly. This highlights the need for more fit-for purpose legislation, co-regulatory arrangements that create a ‘feedback loop’ between regulators and professions, and harmonised statutory registration.
  • 10 common ethical tensions—including ‘aggressive competition’ and ‘work overload’—affect the residential construction sector’s level of professionalism.
  • 10 ‘integrity enablers’—including professionalism and healthy business design—contribute to strong integrity systems and facilitate high quality building outcomes.

Key recommendations

  • Improve contracting and procurement practices by creating an Apartment Industry Development Agency (AIDA)
  • Establish national Centres of Excellence in Residential Apartment Housing
  • Raise standards in education, training and accreditation processes
  • Promote, protect and improve professional standards through regulation
  • Enhance and support professional associations’ ethical standards frameworks.