Construction

Updated: 5 Mar 2024
Construction procurement has its own set of processes, guides, templates and support materials.

Construction procurement has its own set of processes, guides, templates and support materials.

Below are frameworks of contract templates and support documents, insurance requirements and training.

Please refer to the other tabs in this section for related policies, scheme guides and other resources.

Construction procurement processes

In NSW, construction procurements work a little differently to goods and services. Read about construction procurement.

There are certain requirements you must fulfil after awarding a contract, beyond disclosing its details.

The enforceable procurement provisions may impact constructions procurements.

Accreditation for construction procurement

For construction accreditation requirements please see the links below:

Contract templates and support documents

When procuring for construction, use our frameworks to help you structure your procurement activities and achieve successful outcomes.

Our frameworks are designed to support you to:

  • select appropriate procurement and contracting strategies
  • nominate an appropriate principal in contracts
  • prepare tender documents and contracts based on standard forms
  • select contractors and consultants with proven performance records
  • effectively manage contracts, including clause commentaries, sample letters and checklists
  • maintain an effective performance management system through monitoring and reporting
  • resolve contractual claims and disputes.

Choose from the frameworks below, based on your procurement type and the contract value.

Mini minor works

MMW standard form is recommended to be used for simple contracts valued up to $150,000 (excluding GST).  It can also be used up to $250,000 (excluding GST), where the works involve low risk or repetitive construction activities. View Mini Minor Works documents.

MW21

MW21 standard form can be used for contracts up to $2 million (excluding GST) where the works involve low-risk or repetitive construction activities. View MW21 documents.

MW21-LG (Local Government)

This is a Local Government version of the Minor Works (MW21) standard form of contract conditions generally recommended for council construction contracts valued up to $2 million (excluding GST), which involve lower risk construction activities. View MW21-LG documents.

GC21 edition 2

Generally, for construction contracts valued at over $2 million (excluding GST).

However, for complex and high-risk contracts valued at over $1 million, the GC21 edition 2 standard form should be considered by agencies. View GC21 edition 2 documents.

Project management services

For the engagement of private sector project managers. View project management services documents.

Infrastructure advisory services

For the engagement of infrastructure advisory services, use the recommended infrastructure advisory contract framework.

Consultancy services for construction

View consultancy services documents.

Expression of  interest

For seeking indications of interest from potential service providers. View EOI documents.

Performance management

Information about performance management in construction. View performance management documents.

Construction guidelines

Please check the guidelines for information relevant to your construction procurement.

Visit Infrastructure Skills Legacy Program on the Training Services NSW website to understand the skills, training and diversity requirements for NSW Government agencies when procuring construction services.

The objective is to ensure that NSW Government expenditure:

  • encourages industry investment in skills development
  • increases the completion rate for apprenticeships and traineeships
  • supports the work done by the NSW Skills Board and Training Services NSW
  • develops industry capability for the future
  • provides value for money.

Construction insurance

Please refer to the insurance relevant to your construction procurement, based on contract value.

Agencies, including state owned corporations, are able to decide whether or not to insure for projects under $10 million. However if they decide to insure projects under $10 million, PAI must be organised through icare.

Please see Treasury Circular 16/11 for more information.

For all NSW Government capital works projects with an estimated total cost of $10 million or more, all agencies, other than state owned corporations, are required to undertake Principal Arranged Insurance (PAI) through icare.

State-owned corporations must demonstrate that they can acquire PAI at a price more competitive than the price offered by icare.

icare’s Construction Risks Insurance Fund (CRIF) portal is available for agencies to take out and manage their construction policies. (See User Guide in portal)

Access for existing users

Log in to the icare portal using your unique credentials.

If your agency has current or historical policies with the CRIF, these have been migrated across to the new portal, and you will be able to view and download the documentation for these online.

Access for new users

Request access to the portal through the icare website.

Select the ‘Other’ access level and scroll down to download the icare Insurance for NSW Portal access form.

Complete the form (make sure to select the 'CRIF access' option) and email the completed form to insuranceforNSW@icare.nsw.gov.au

Draft insurance policies

The following draft policies are available on the icare website.

  • General, Products and Environmental Liability Policy
  • Material Damage Insurance Policy Project Insurance

icare contact details

Training on standard form construction contracts

NSW Public Works (NSWPW) delivers regular training courses for government agencies, local councils, construction consultants and contractors.

Standard form construction contracts training include:

Training is delivered by facilitators with hands-on experience in public sector construction procurement and contract management. The content, case studies and activities are tailored with practical examples for participants to get the most out of the sessions.

PWA can also organise virtual sessions or in-house training for both regional and metropolitan locations.

Courses are available for GC21 and MW21 standard form contracts. More information is available in our training library.

For more information, please contact pwa_contract.training@pwa.nsw.gov.au