ASI’s compliance schemes went from strength to strength in 2023-2024. The schemes include Steelwork Compliance Australia, ShedSafe® and Steel Sustainability Australia (SSA).
ShedSafe® / roll formers
ShedSafe® is the ASI’s third-party accreditation and training program for shed manufacturers, buyers and builders. Buyers can purchase a ShedSafe® accredited shed confident in the engineering, steel products and site specification of the steel shed they are purchasing. Students can undertake training to an industry recognised standard.
Fifty-eight students were enrolled in the ASI’s NSW and Queensland shed builders’ course on May 20, 2024. The Masters in Building Training (MIBT)-backed, web- based course provides a qualification in shed building over a two-year period. Experienced shed builders seeking a qualification can chose a recognition of prior learning (RPL) option.
Steelwork Compliance Australia
ASI’s Steelwork Compliance Australia (SCA) scheme is currently the only certifying body that is accredited by JASANZ for auditing to the full scope of AS/NZS 5131 (Steelwork Fabrication & Erection).
SCA has now audited and certified 152 steelwork fabricators to construction classes as per the standard across all states. It is notable that the latest version of AS 4100 calls up AS/NZS 5131 as a secondary reference, embedding this into practice and that the NCC update also reflects this.
With state government departments now specifying AS/NZS 5131 and/or mandating certified fabricators to be used, demand for certification is continuing to be strong. SCA is continuing to expand its services to include other steel supply chain participants that conduct works under AS/NZS 5131.
Steel Sustainability Australia
The ASI Steel Sustainability Australia (SSA) certification scheme has grown significantly since its inception in January 2023 with more than 90 sites registered and more than half of these now certified across Australia. Fabricators make up the highest proportion with 65 sites registered, or 70%, and reinforcing is the second highest with 22 sites registered or 24%.
The scheme assesses and certifies downstream steel suppliers including distributors, fabricators, roll formers and reinforcing processors, and verifies upstream steel producers against best practice environmental, social and governance indicators.
The SSA scheme is an approved initiative under the Green Building Council of Australia’s (GBCA) Responsible Product Framework, enabling SSA certified steel suppliers to contribute a number of credit points towards a Green Star Buildings rating.
In 2024 four Australian steel manufacturing mills were re-verified to SSA – BlueScope Port Kembla Steelworks, Liberty Primary Steel Whyalla Steelworks, InfraBuild Laverton Steel Mill and Sydney Steel Mill. The scheme also became available to international steel manufacturing mills seeking to become verified to supply raw steel to Australian downstream steel suppliers.
SSA is now working with the New Zealand Steel Sustainability Council for a similar program to be available in New Zealand. ASI anticipates the program will grow exponentially as demand for the GBCA Green Star Building’s rating tool becomes more widespread in the building and construction industry.
