Indigenous projects under the Building and Construction Training Policy

Training Policy 

The Queensland Government Building and Construction Training Policy (Training Policy) is part of the Queensland Government's commitment to reconciliation and to closing the gap on Indigenous disadvantage. This includes improving the quality of life, equality of opportunity and fulfilment of the diverse aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders.

The policy promotes, encourages and creates skills development, employment and business opportunities for Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders in relation to Queensland Government building and civil construction projects.

Outcomes will assist in addressing community and regional skills shortages as well as building the individual and collective capacity of the community to enjoy a better quality of life while contributing to regional economic development.

Indigenous Projects

There are 2 categories of Indigenous projects under the Training Policy.

  1. Eligible projects located in an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community and the Township of Weipa
  2. Eligible projects located throughout the rest of Queensland selected as Indigenous projects

The compliance requirements for Indigenous projects under the Training Policy are the same whether it is located in an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community or selected as an Indigenous project outside of these communities.

For all Indigenous projects, it is a priority that the core requirement (10% of the total labour hours or 15% for projects $100 million or greater) of the training policy be met by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander apprentices and trainees and local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers.

The Training Policy also requires that an additional amount, equivalent to a further 10% of the total labour hours, be allocated toward an agreed Indigenous Economic Opportunities Plan. This equates to a minimum of 3% of the estimated project value (including GST) for building projects and a minimum of 1.5% of the estimated project value (including GST) for civil construction projects.

Under the Training Policy the department's Director-General can select building or civil construction projects outside of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander communities to be Indigenous projects.

Eligible projects that are located in an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community or the Township of Weipa are automatically Indigenous projects.

Indigenous Economic Opportunities Plan

The Indigenous Economic Opportunity Plan (IEO Plan) forms part of the Training Policy compliance requirements for Indigenous projects.

The IEO Plan is designed to maximise local employment, training and business supply opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders in the eligible building and construction projects. The IEO Plan sets minimum agreed outcomes and provides flexibility to maximise economic opportunities for local communities.

As part of the procurement process for Indigenous projects, the principal (Queensland Government agency) will work with the preferred tenderer/s to develop and seek written agreement on an Indigenous Economic Opportunities Plan, in partnership with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander council or authority. Where there is no relevant Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander council or authority, the department will take part in the negotiations and agreement.

Training Policy processes and templates

Eligible projects located in an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community and the Township of Weipa:

Eligible projects located throughout the rest of Queensland selected as Indigenous projects: