Please note, our Federal Safety Officers, engaged by the OFSC to audit building and construction companies, cannot provide FSC accreditation assistance to any company they have audited or will audit on behalf of the OFSC.
Verify that the WHS Management System in place aligns with FSC Audit Criteria.
Address any system gaps or design and implement a new WHS Management System aligned to FSC Audit Criteria.
Create an FSC Online Account and complete the FSC accreditation application.
Undergo System Validation Audit (normally virtually). The audit is conducted by a Federal Safety Officer (FSO) to assess the company’s WHS Management System against the WHS Accreditation Scheme criteria.
The on-site audit will be held at a project where the company is the principal contractor and where its WHS Management System is in place.
The Federal Safety Officer (FSO) will request documentary evidence in accordance with the criteria to verify implementation of WHS procedures and practices on-site.
On-site surveillance audits are conducted by a Federal Safety Officer (FSO) to ensure the company continues to meet the required WHS Accreditation Scheme requirements.
The surveillance frequency will be set by the OFSC and is commonly every 6 month period for newly accredited companies.
Note that following the System Validation Audit and Onsite Accreditation Audit, the construction company will receive a detailed report describing where the criteria has been met and detailing non-conformances. The company will also be provided with instruction on whether the application will proceed to the next stage or if a follow up audit is required.
Under the Work Health and Safety Accreditation Scheme (the Scheme), companies are initially accredited for a period of up to three years.
At the end of this period, companies need to reapply for accreditation to remain accredited. This is known as ‘reaccreditation’. Companies gaining reaccreditation may be granted an accreditation period of up to six years, depending on the company’s history of compliance with the Scheme requirements.
Since 2015, QSG has helped clients design and implement management systems aligned with FSC Audit Criteria, achieving and maintaining FSC Accreditation. In 2021, the OFSC appointed two of our senior managers, Andrew and Nic, as Federal Safety Officers. They work closely with clients and oversee our consulting team to deliver FSC Accreditation Assistance.
Andrew has over 25 years’ health and safety experience in the building and construction industry, helping clients across Australia achieve and maintain FSC Accreditation. His deep construction industry background ensures legislative requirements and accreditation criteria align seamlessly with client operations.
Managing Consultant | Federal Safety Officer
Nic has a construction industry background and has served as HSE Manager/Representative for many clients through the FSC Accreditation life cycle. He oversees our consultants and works closely with clients to navigate the accreditation process.
In 2005, the FSC was established based on specific recommendations of the Cole Royal Commission into the Building and Construction Industry.
