Helpful Links
Below you will find some useful industry related links and sites of interest. If you know of a site you think should be listed here, please contact us and let us know.
Government and Regulation
Industry Associations
Occupational Health and Safety
Sustainability
Training
Government and Regulation
- Australian Building Codes Board
- The ABCB is a joint initiative of all levels of Australian Government, includes representatives from the building industry and is responsible for the Building Code of Australia (BCA).
- Energy Safe Victoria
- Energy Safe Victoria is responsible for ensuring the safe supply and use of electricity and gas by the Victorian community.
- Environment Protection Authority (Victoria)
- EPA website provides direction, guidance and resources relating to environmental discharges issues including trade waste.
- Essential Services Commission
- The Essential Services Commission is the independent economic regulator established by the State Government of Victoria, Australia to regulate prescribed essential utility services supplied by the electricity, gas, water, ports, grain handling and rail freight industries and aspects of the insurance industry.
- Information Victoria
- Victorian Government on line bookshop.
- Legionella – Victorian Government
- Victorian Government website providing direction, guidance and resources relating to the control of Legionella.
- Plumbing Commission of Victoria
- The PIC is responsible for the regulation of plumbing work in Victoria with the aim of ensuring that it is carried out safely and competently.
- Standards Australia (SAI Global)
- Standards Australia is peak, non-government standards body in Australia. This website provides access to Australian AND International Standards.
- Victorian Building Commission
- The Building Commission is a statutory authority that oversees the building control system in Victoria. This website provides access to direction, guidance and resources relating to building regulation in Victoria.
- Victorian Legislation and Parliamentary Documents
- Access to Victorian Legislation and Parliamentary Documents.
Industry Associations
- Air Conditioning and Mechanical Contractors' Association of Australia
- AMCA is an organisation of air conditioning and mechanical services companies who have come together to represent and promote the industry along with the well being of the companies.
- American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers
- ASHRAE’s mission is to advance the arts and sciences of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration and related human factors to serve the evolving needs of the public and ASHRAE members.
- Australian Institute of Refrigeration, AIR Conditioning and Heating
- AIRAH is a specialist membership association for air conditioning, refrigeration, heating and ventilation professionals. This website provides access to a range of quality technical resources and information relating to these areas.
- Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers
- CIBSE is an international body which represents and provides services to the building services profession.
- European Technical Contractors Committee for the Construction Industry
- CEETB represents the interests of specialist building contractors in the European decision making process. This website provides insight into European activities and industry initiatives.
- Facility Management Association of Australia
- The FMA represents FM professionals – those who manage people, process, assets and the work environment. This site is a source of information on the practice of facility management.
- Institution of Engineers Australia
- Engineers Australia is the national forum for the advancement of engineering and the professional development of its members. This website provides a range of resources including links to a number of virtual libraries.
- Master Builders Victoria
- Established in 1875 by a group of builders intent on raising standards within the industry the MBAV services the needs of the building industry in Victoria, from residential to commercial and engineering businesses, principle contractors to subcontractors, manufacturers and suppliers.
- Master Plumbers' & Mechanical Services Association of Australia
- The MPMSAA provides representation and extensive services for a broad base of members in the plumbing and mechanical services sectors. This website provides a range of resources including training related information.
- Property Council of Australia
- The Property Council of Australia is the leading advocate for the Australian property industry. This website provides significant and constantly updated resources for the property industry.
Occupational Health and Safety
- Commonwealth Comcare
- Comcare is responsible for workplace safety, rehabilitation and compensation in the Commonwealth jurisdiction.
- Health and Safety Commission UK
- The Health and Safety Commission is responsible for health and safety regulation in Great Britain. This website provides access to a wide range of international OH&S resources.
- Worksafe Victoria
- Victorian Workcover Authority website provides a wide range of OH&S guidance and resources.
Sustainability
- ABSA: The Association of Building Sustainability Assessors
- The Association of Building Sustainability Assessors (ABSA) represents building and design professionals who specialise in assessing the environmental impact of buildings.
- Australian Greenhouse Building Rating
- The Australian Building Greenhouse Rating (ABGR) Scheme is an initiative to help building owners and tenants across Australia benchmark their greenhouse performance. This website provides access to building rating calculators and related resources including a comprehensive links page.
- Australian Greenhouse Office
- The Australian Greenhouse Office, part of the Department of the Environment and Heritage, delivers the majority of programs under the Australian Government’s climate change strategy. This website provides a range of greenhouse related resources.
- BREEAM: BRE's Environmental Assessment Method
- For over a decade, BRE's Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) has been used to assess the environmental performance of both new and existing buildings. It is regarded by the UK's construction and property sectors as the measure of best practice in environmental design and management. BREEAM covers a wide range of environmental issues within one assessment, and to present the results in a way that is widely understood by those involved in property procurement and management.
- Centre for the Analysis and Dissemination of Demonstrated Energy Technologies CADDET
- The CADDET website provides a unique source of information on commercial energy-saving and renewable energy technologies. Whilst the CADDET Programme concluded in March 2005 this web site will remain live to provide access to the wide range of information collected since 1988.
- Council House 2
- Melbourne City Councils Council House 2 (CH2) project is the first in Australia to achieve the six Green Star certified rating. This website provides detailed insight into this project and supporting resources.
- Energy efficiency and renewable energy network (US Government)
- This US website is a gateway to hundreds of Web sites and thousands of online documents on energy efficiency and renewable energy.
- Energy Rating
- Explains the energy star rating label program for electrical appliances and includes a database of appliances and their energy ratings. You can also search for the most energy efficient products in their class
- Green Building Council of Australia
- The Green Building Council's mission is to develop a sustainable property industry for Australia and drive the adoption of green building practices through market-based solutions. This website provides access to rating tools and supporting resources.
- Green Value - Green buildings, growing assets
- This study tests the widespread perception that there is no relationship between the market value of a real estate asset and its green features and related performance.
The evidence gathered through literature review and case studies, leads the report to conclude that the sustainable features of green buildings can add value to real estate. - Herman Miller
- Herman Miller are a world leader in sustainable business practices. This website provides considerable insight in this area.
- IEA - International Energy Agency
- The IEA is an international intergovernmental body committed to advancing security of energy supply, economic growth and environmental sustainability through energy policy co-operation. This website provides a wide range of resources and information including a large energy information centre.
- LEED: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
- The LEED Green Building Rating System is a voluntary, consensus-based national U.S.standard for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings. U.S. Green Building Council, representing every sector of the building industry, developed and continues to refine LEED.
- NABERS: National Australian Built Environment Rating System
- NABERS is a performance-based rating system for existing buildings. NABERS rates a building on the basis of its measured operational impacts on the environment. Building owners, managers or occupants can manage and reduce these environmental impacts.
- National Centre for Sustainability
- The National Centre for Sustainability provides educational leadership and works in partnership with industry, government and community to undertake program delivery, resource development, project work and applied research to support the development of sustainable practices in business, government and the community. This website provides a range of resources to promote sustainability in business.
- Sustainability Victoria
- The Sustainable Energy Authority delivers the majority of the Victorian Governments sustainability programs. This website provides a wide range of sustainability related resources.
- The Climate Group - Carbon Down Profits Up
- This report by The Climate Group, a British nonprofit, reviews the measures being undertaken worldwide by corporations and governments to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and quantifies the financial benefits achieved. Five corporations -- DuPont, Alcan Inc., BT Group PLC, IBM and Norske Canada -- saved a combined $5.5 billion and each lowered their greenhouse gas emissions by at least 60% through improved energy efficiency, fuel switching and reduced waste output. The study is accompanied by more in-depth case studies on specific company and government actions, including San Diego and California's.
Training
- Commonwealth New Apprenticeships
- Provides resources for employers, careers advisors and new apprentices.
- Office of Training and Tertiary Education (State Training Board – Apprenticeship Information)
- The role of the Office of Training and Tertiary Education is to plan, regulate and deliver a range of education and training programs and services in Victoria. This website provides a wide range of training resources for business and employers, schools and careers guidance, and people interested in undertaking training