Introduction

1. Master Builders Australia (MBA) is an Australian building company and is a member of 74 of Australia’s ‘industry technical regulatory committees convened by either Standards Australia or the Australian Building Codes Board.’ (Master Builders Australia) The purpose of these committees is to provide guidelines and safeguards for the smooth facilitation of Australia’s building standards and regulations. (Master Builders Australia). MBA also maintains board representation on the Standards Australia and the Australian Building Codes Boards. As such MBA plays a key role in the Australia’s building development and compliance.
   
2. As a result of MBA’s involvement on both boards it is qualified to provide advice on matters concerning changes in Australian standards, local authority requirements, building Act requirements, advice on legislation and regulations, requirements of the building licensing authorities and incidental trade practices legislation. (Master Builders Australia)

Company Profile

1. MBA is a major ‘building and construction industry association’ in Australia. (Master Builders Australia) It was founded in 1870 in Melbourne, Sydney and Newcastle and by 1890 it was national. The firm’s most useful function is the promotion of the opinions and interests of Australia’s construction industry. MBA also strives to provide members with services in a variety of areas. These services include hands-on training, legal advice, improvement of industrial relations, information on building codes and standards, as well as information relevant to ‘industry economics and international relations.’(Master Builders Australia)
   
2. Demonstrative of its place as watch-dog in Australia’s building industry, MBA recognizes excellence in building achievement by virtue of its annual National Awards’ scheme. Awards are given for housing and commercial/industry development which is divided into a number of categories. A category also exists for exports and lifestyle housing.
   
   
3. The management team of MBA is comprised of elected council members. The management team is divided into several different departments. They include the following: National board of directors, executive, housing council, contract committee, IR committee, training committee and safety committee. (Master Builders Australia)

Information Systems

1. MBA maintains a variety of information systems in order to regulate its main objectives. The most important information systems involve the maintaining records of meetings with both the Australian Standards and the Australian Building Codes. Also associated with these two systems is the number and frequency of meetings with the board members. Additionally, the information systems is utilized to compile key changes and implementation to legislation and building codes.
   
   
2. This information is kept on a mainframe at the three main headquarters located at Sydney, Melbourne and Newcastle. The information is fed to all the other offices via a common internet system. Anyone authorized to access the records (usually officers and directors and their appointed delegates) maintain passwords. The information is provided on a ‘need to know’ basis and some of it (legislation and building regulations) is provided in hard copy as well as on the company’s hard drive.
   
   
3. MBA also regulates working and training conditions of Australian building and construction firms and must keep records of same. This is also done on a large scale information systems data base. The employer and employee’s name, the employee’s rate of pay, hours of work, vacation and annual leave are all matters for which MBA must keep recorded in its information systems. Forms for the recording of this type of information is kept within MBA’s information systems and is distributed via hard copy and internet transmission when requested or required.
   
4. MBA works closely with other government agencies ‘and key industry bodies to assist in the development of competencies of young Australians who are entering the rewarding careers in the building and construction industry. Master Builders as a recognised industry leader in the area of education and training offers a range of specially designed packages for its members including:
   
• Occupational health and safety
• Supervisory and management skills
• Industrial relations, negotiations and mediation
• Technical seminars
• Use and administration of contracts
• Application of the partnering concept on construction projects’ (Master Builders Australia)
  
5. MBA maintains and regulates a sophisticated information systems capable of storing and updating this information. It is also used to keep track of the industry and to help with the placement of young persons looking for employment in the building industry. This information is kept in the information systems’ network and is accessible by the committee members responsible for keeping these records. The information is shared among the building industry upon request and in some cases it is routinely distributed. MORE…