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About Us

Our mission

The ACT Building and Construction Industry Training Fund Authority (The Authority) provides funding for the training of eligible workers and for the development of skills identified as being in short supply in the building and construction industry. It aims to improve the culture, level and access to training and to support the entry of new people into the building and construction industry.

Core values

Promote increased productivity, career opportunities, personal satisfaction, and work health and safety within the building and construction industry through targeted training initiatives.


Ensure an equitable distribution of funds to both employers and employees for employment-related training in the building and construction industry.


Allocate funds based on determined priorities and outcomes specifically for training delivery, excluding capital or administrative costs.


Encourage employment and skills development within the building and construction industry.

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 Tertiary Education 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 requiring building approval (BA) must be paid within 14 days of receiving building approval.

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 a direct payment to the Authority.

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.

Meet The Team

Jo Whitfield

Jo Whitfield

Chief Executive Officer

Policy formulation and development, finance, accounts, human resources administration and non- voting member of the Authority board.

jwhitfield@trainingfund.com.au

Steve Alexsoski

Steve Alexsoski

Communications and Engagement Manager

Communication strategies, manages stakeholder engagement, leads website development, IT management, branding, creative design, marketing and social media.

salexsoski@trainingfund.com.au

Ben Stokes

Ben Stokes

Compliance Manager

Administration and compliance of levy collection, levy rebates, finance, payroll processing, accounts development, and management of training plan.

bstokes@trainingfund.com.au

Board Members

 

Independent Chairman

Mr Michael Young

Employee Representatives

Mr Joshua Bolitho
Mr Allen Hicks

Employer Representatives

Ms Michelle Tifan
Ms Melissa Adler (née Burnes)

Lakeside building view (museum)