The Authority has a governing board consisting of an independent chairman, two employer representatives and two employee representatives. The Chief Executive Officer sits on the board as a non-voting member. The Minister for Vocational Education and Skills may appoint a board member for a term of up to three years, and members may be re-appointed.
The responsibilities, governance and powers of the Authority are set out in the Building and Construction Industry Training Levy Act 1999.
Established in May 1999 to administer an industry training fund, the Authority is responsible for the collection of a training Levy of 0.2%, calculated from the cost of the work exclusive of GST. The Levy is collected from building and construction work in the ACT, where the total cost exceeds $10,000 and meets the criteria as set out in the Schedule 1 'Work' of the Act.
The Authority uses these funds and invests in projects and training that directly support the industry skills base in accordance with the current year's Training Plan.
The Levy on work that is subject to the issue of a building approval by the ACT Planning and Land Authority (ACTPLA) must be paid prior to the issue of the building approval.
ACTPLA is authorised to collect the Levy on such work, acting as an agent for the Authority.
The payment of the Levy on non-building work, such as civil works, landscaping, utilities and telecommunications, is arranged between the Authority and the project owner. This is usually done through the mechanism of a written agreement that allows the project owner to self-assess the Levy liability and make an annual Levy payment.
Where work is carried out by or for a project owner not covered by a written self-assessment agreement with the Authority, the work is monitored to determine if a Levy liability exists. The Authority will then contact the project owner to achieve compliance. The Authority has a statutory obligation to ensure that the requirements of the Act are observed.
The Authority works closely with industry stakeholders, industry bodies, businesses and government agencies to promote the role of the Authority and this assists in achieving a high level of compliance with the Act.
The ACT Building and Construction Industry Training Fund Authority (the Authority) is the statutory body responsible for providing funding for the training of eligible workers in the ACT building and construction industry.
The Levy on work that is subject to the issue of a building approval by the ACT Planning and Land Authority (ACTPLA) must be paid prior to the issue of the building approval.
The ACT Building and Construction Industry Training Fund Authority provides funding for the training of eligible workers and for the development of skills identified as being in short supply in the ACT's building and construction industry.