Form 15

Schedule 10 of the BR 2021 defines building design or specification as any material, system, method of building or other thing related to the
design of or specifications for building work.

When completing the certificate, a competent person is required under section 77 of the BR 2021 to include the basis for giving the certificate
and state the extent to which the competent person has relied on tests, specifications, rules, standards, codes of practice or other publications.

What is the purpose of this form? (section 10 of the Building Act and sections 73 and 77 of the BR2 2021)

The information in this form informs the building certifier’s decision making when they are assessing a building development application, issuing
the building development approval for the building work the subject of the certificate (form) and when amending the building development
approval due to the receipt of updated aspect information such as glazing or truss specifications or revised excavation drawings.

Can a manufacturer or supplier give this Form 15?

A building certifier can accept this form from a manufacturer or supplier who the certifier has decided is a competent person (design-
specification).

A manufacturer or supplier of building materials can give this form if they have undertaken the design component for the product. For example a
window manufacturer who designs, constructs and supplies the windows to industry could give this form.

Competent person (section 10 of the Building Act 1975 and Part 6 of the BR 2021)

A building certifier must assess and decide to appoint an individual as a competent person before they can accept design-specification help.

When deciding whether a person can be a competent person, the building certifier must assess the person having regard to their experience,
qualifications and skills and ensure the person holds a licence or registration if required.

The building certifier is required to keep detailed records about what was considered when appointing a competent person.

For further information about assessment of someone as a competent person refer to the Guideline for the assessment of competent
persons.
What is required if a manufacturer or supplier did not do the design work for the product?

A manufacturer or supplier who is not part of the design process may give the construction contractor, builder, competent person or the building
certifier evidence of suitability such as a product technical statement under Part A5 of the Building Code of Australia (BCA), for an aspect or
material stating that it is compliant with the relevant reference documents in the BCA i.e. the applicable Australian Standard/s.

What if there is not enough space for all the supporting material/documents?

Items 2, 3 and 4 requires the competent person to clearly identify the extent of the assessment that was undertaken for aspect/s of work
identified in this form.

For instance, there is provision for material such as specifications, standards, codes or other relevant publications to be referenced in the form.
However, if the space in the form is not sufficient to accommodate all of this material, you can create and refer to additional material in an
addendum or attachment to the form.

The form is the Microsoft Word version, that you can download and edited to include additional material in the relevant parts of the form. Note:
that editing the form in the Microsoft Word version may cause the relevant boxes to expand and increase the length of the document. This is
acceptable and does not change the approved form, provided the section text (description on the left-hand side of the page) is not altered.

Appointed competent person (design-specification) – (sections 34 and 36 of the BR 2021)

A building certifier must assess and decide to appoint an individual as a competent person before they can, as a competent person, give design-
specification help. The building certifier is required to keep detailed records about what was considered when appointing a competent person.

A building certifier must be satisfied that an individual is competent to give the type of help having regard to the individual’s experience,
qualifications and skills and if required by law to hold a licence or registration, that the individual is appropriately registered or licensed.

An individual is appointed as competent to give design-specification help on or from a particular day.

For further information about assessment of someone as a competent person refer to the Guideline for the assessment of competent
persons.

PRIVACY NOTICE

The Department of Energy and Public Works is collecting personal information as required under the Building Act 1975. This information may be
stored by the Department, and will be used for administration, compliance, statistical research and evaluation of building laws. Your personal
information will be disclosed to other government agencies, local government authorities and third parties for purposes relating to administering
and monitoring compliance with the Building Act 1975. Personal information will otherwise only be disclosed to third parties with your consent or
unless authorised or required by law.




Building Regulation 2021 • Section 73 and 77 • Form 15 • Version 2 • March 2023                                                              Page 3 of 3