Priority Start policy
The Priority Start policy came into effect in Western Australia on 1 April 2019, replacing the previous Government building training (GBT) policy. The new policy meets the State Government’s Plan for Jobs commitment to maximise opportunities for apprentices and trainees on all major State Government funded building, construction and maintenance contracts.
Priority Start aims to ensure a sustainable construction trades workforce for WA by increasing the overall numbers of apprentices and trainees in the building and construction industry. To achieve this, the policy requires companies awarded State Government building construction, civil construction and maintenance contracts valued over $5 million (including GST) to meet the industry's average target training rate for apprentices and trainees.
Who's in scope
State Government agencies issuing building, construction and maintenance contracts and the head contractor and subcontractors used for the contracts are in scope of the Priority Start policy. Government trading enterprises (GTEs) should consider the policy when procuring these contracts.
What's new under Priority Start
- Applies to contracts with a total value over $5 million (including GST).
- Separate target training rates for general construction – 11.5%, and civil construction – 5%.
- Contractor reporting has been reduced to once a year.
- Expanded range of in-scope qualifications and construction trades worker occupations.
- Probationary apprentices/trainees are now included in the training rate calculation.
- Stronger monitoring and compliance.
- Panels established to consider head contractor requests to vary their training rate.
Transitioning to Priority Start
Head contractors reporting under the GBT policy will have the option to transition to the Priority Start policy from 1 July 2019, once their 2018–19 reporting obligations have been fulfilled.
Note: No tenders issued from 1 April 2019 should include clauses relating to the GBT Policy.
Useful information and resources
The following information and resources are available to assist contractors and State Government agencies to understand and work with the Priority Start policy.
General information
- Fact sheet – Priority Start overview
- Audit and compliance framework (Oct 2019)
- Contacts for further information
- Transitioning from the Government building training policy
- Minister’s media statement issued 1 April 2019
Head contractors
- Fact sheet – Head contractors
- Head contractor Priority Start report template (updated January 2022)
- Head contractor training rate variation application
Subcontractors
In-scope lists
- In-scope construction apprenticeships and traineeships list (updated August 2021)
- In-scope construction worker occupations list
Target training rate
State Government agencies and Government trading enterprises
Enquiries and assistance
If you require any further assistance, or have any queries, please contact our Priority Start officer on 08 6551 5607 during business hours or email policy.prioritystart@dtwd.wa.gov.au.
The following photos appearing on this page are used with permission.
- Optus Stadium transport construction (also used on home page), and Forrestfield Airport Link project: courtesy of the Public Transport Authority WA;
- NorthLink WA and Nicholson Rd (Bridge) over rail projects: courtesy of Main Roads WA; and
- Yagan Square construction: courtesy of Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority.