The Project Development and Construction Management Act 1994 facilitates government development projects in Victoria and provides for the responsible Minister to set standards and issue written directions in relation to public construction.
The responsible Minister has issued the Ministerial Directions and Instructions for Public Construction Procurement in Victoria. These Ministerial Directions and Instructions are supported by the associated non-mandatory Guidance for Public Construction Procurement.
Public construction
The Project Development and Construction Management Act 1994 defines public construction is any construction, maintenance, rehabilitation, alteration, extension or demolition of any improvements on land by, or on behalf of, departments and public bodies and includes:
- design and construction practices
- tendering processes
- project delivery
- contract administration
Defining public construction (Construction Guidance 1.3b) sets out further detail on what is public construction.
Victoria’s broader public governance, financial management and accountability framework
The Ministerial Directions for Public Construction Procurement in Victoria are part of Victoria's broader public governance, financial management and accountability framework. They are intended to complement the broader framework, and should be read in conjunction with the requirements of this broader framework. The Ministerial Directions for Public Construction Procurement in Victoria set out the requirements applicable to public construction procurement in Victoria, that is, procuring works and construction services.
Some Agencies that must comply with these Directions must also comply with the Victorian Government Purchasing Board supply policies, which apply to non-public construction procurement. It is for the Accountable Officer of the relevant Agency to decide whether and how to align internal governance frameworks for procurement, noting that where these Ministerial Directions for Public Construction Procurement in Victoria are inconsistent with the requirements of a supply policy issued by the Victorian Government Purchasing Board, the requirements of these Ministerial Directions prevail in relation to public construction procurement.
Key elements of Victoria's broader public financial management and governance framework:
Legislation
- Audit Act 1994
- Financial Management Act 1994
- Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission Act 2011
- Project Development and Construction Management Act 1994
- Public Administration Act 2004
Ministerial Directions and equivalent issued under legislation
Victorian Public Sector Codes of Conduct issued by the Victorian Public Sector Commission under the Public Administration Act 2004.
The Standing Directions 2018 under the Financial Management Act 1994 issued under the Financial Management Act 1994 along with the associated Instructions and Guidance issued by the Department of Treasury and Finance.
Ministerial Directions issued under the Project Development and Construction Management Act 1994 and the associated Instructions and Guidance issued by the Department of Treasury and Finance.
The supply policies issued by the Victorian Government Purchasing Board under Part 7A of the Financial Management Act 1994.
Frameworks
Asset Management Accountability Framework
Victoria's Value Creation and Capture Framework
High Value High Risk Project Assurance Framework
Policies
Policies applicable to procurement delivery models:
- Partnerships Victoria Policy
- National Alliancing Policy
Market-Led Proposals Guideline
Victorian Supplier Code of Conduct
Guidance
Investment Lifecycle and High Value High Risk Guidelines
Legislation and policies applying to public construction
Other Victorian Government legislation relevant to public construction projects include:
- Building Act 1993
- Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 2002
- Architects Act 1991
- Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004
- Professional Engineers Registration Act 2019
- Domestic Building Contracts Act 1995
- Planning and Environment Act 1987
- Heritage Act 1995
More details on Victorian legislation and parliamentary documents are available from the Victorian Legislation and Parliamentary Documents website.
Policies applying to public construction are listed in Contractual terms and conditions (Construction Instruction 7.2).
Support
For more information about legislation, policy and public construction contact the Construction Policy team.
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