For Melbourne-based contractor GRC Buxton, regaining FSC accreditation wasn't just another compliance exercise - it was the only path back to competing for Commonwealth Government-funded work.
It marked the difference between being able to compete for government-funded work or being locked out entirely.
But meeting the standards of the Office of the Federal Safety Commissioner (OFSC) demands more than good intentions.
It requires complete confidence in how safety is managed across projects, from document control and evidence collection to clear, auditable visibility on every site.
Paper forms, scattered files, and inconsistent document versions don’t cut it. Under FSC scrutiny, they aren’t just inefficient. They are a genuine compliance risk.
“If you’re using the wrong revision of a form, you can come unstuck very, very quickly — especially under FSC.”
What's Inside |
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FSC accreditation is mandatory for bidding on Commonwealth Government-funded construction projects, a strategically critical and high-value segment for GRC Buxton.
While HammerTech had underpinned site safety at the Melbourne-based builder since 2020, regaining FSC accreditation required formal demonstration of its systems, governance, and safety controls under audit.
By showcasing how HammerTech was used consistently across its projects, GRC Buxton clearly demonstrated its safety systems and controls to the OFSC, restoring its eligibility to bid for government-funded work after regaining FSC accreditation in March 2025.
Significant time spent copying and filing licences
Paper inductions that slowed site start-up
Manual management of high-risk work licence
Workers upload licences ahead of time
Short, office-based inductions with improved worked engagement and efficiency
Automated expiry alerts prompt subcontractors early
Before HammerTech, version control posed a real compliance risk. Different versions of forms could sit across servers, folders, and desktops, leaving teams unsure whether they were using the correct version.
“Everything safety now sits in the platform,” says Mick. “When a form is updated, that approved version is available to teams across projects.”
Preparing for FSC and other audits used to mean gathering paperwork from multiple locations and trying to reconstruct evidence after the fact.
Live dashboards consolidate key safety information, offering instant insights into worker status, compliance, and project health into a single view without the need to chase paperwork or reconstruct records during audits.
“All it takes is a glance to who’s inducted, who’s signed onto SWMS, what tickets are expiring etc. That snapshot without the need to chase paperwork or reconstruct records was a game changer during the audit.”
When Mick joined GRC Buxton in August 2024, his mandate was clear: get FSC accreditation back on track.
The contractor operates across apartments, aged care, and specialised developments. And with majority ownership from a Singaporean parent company looking to pursue affordable housing opportunities, FSC accreditation was a strategic necessity.
With nearly 30 years in construction across frontline and senior HSEQ roles, Mick understood exactly what FSC accreditation requires – and how unforgiving the process can be.
“Without FSC, you simply can’t price government work. With the demand for affordable housing, there’s a lot of opportunity we couldn’t touch without accreditation.”
At a Glance: FSC Accreditation |
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Mandatory for: Bidding for Commonwealth Government-funded projects |
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Assessment focus: Demonstrated WHS management systems, controlled documentation, and auditable site evidence |
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Ongoing requirement: Accredited contractors must maintain compliance to avoid delays, suspension, or loss of eligibility for future government work |
Before onboarding HammerTech in 2020, safety processes relied heavily on paper, PDF forms and server-based folders. While teams followed process, paper-based systems made it difficult to consistently control document versions or demonstrate compliance under audit.
Paper and plant inductions slowing site start-ups
Safety documents spread across multiple locations
Audit evidence requiring manual collation
Increased exposure to non-conformances due to outdated form
"With manual systems, you can spend half your time walking back and forward to printers, copying tickets, chasing paperwork, and potentially getting things wrong.”
“The biggest advantage is knowing the version in HammerTech is the right one,” Mick says.
“There’s no second-guessing. That alone reduces a huge amount of audit risk.”
During the FSC reaccreditation process, Mick says HammerTech was critical to evidence how site safety is managed, reviewed, and controlled across projects – moving safety tasks out of the office and back onto site.
"I’d much rather see someone inducting a worker on an iPad in the project office rather than going backwards and forwards photocopying paperwork and tickets.
"That wastes valuable time and can cause people to lose focus during inductions, which are crucial for engagement and consultation. HammerTech lets you do the job where the job happens.”
FSC accreditation standards are fixed. Achieving and maintaining accreditation comes down to proving, under audit, that your safety system aligns with what the government expects from contractors in practice, not just on paper.
This is where version control became critical. Under FSC scrutiny, confidence comes from knowing that the document being used on site is the approved, current version.
“The beauty of HammerTech is knowing the forms teams are using in the platform is the right one. There’s no ambiguity about which version is current."
Compliance has also shifted from something managed centrally to something shared across site teams. Subcontractors now upload their own SWMS, insurances, equipment records, or Safety Data Sheets directly into the platform.
“Once they’re efficient, we can be efficient. Everyone plays their part.”
From an FSC perspective, this transparency strengthens contractor control and reduces the administrative burden of chasing documentation before work can start.
Audits no longer require assembling paper packs or pulling evidence from multiple systems. Mick notes that many FSC auditors and external consultants are already familiar with HammerTech so know exactly where to look.
“We didn’t have to scramble. They go into the system and see exactly what they need.”
Instead of explaining processes, the system speaks for itself.
Adoption across GRC Buxton has been supported by clear ownership and practical training. Recently appointed HSEQ Systems Coordinator Aimee Elliot has played a key role.
“She knows HammerTech inside out. She’s showing people what good looks like, and that’s been huge for ongoing buy-in.”
Initial hesitation around moving away from paper didn’t last long, Mick adds.
“Once people realise they can fix mistakes easily and see everything clearly, the fear disappears. It actually makes their job easier.”
At the same time, he is clear that improving system discipline is an ongoing process.
“We’re still getting to that stage where we’re trying to getaway from some of our own forms entirely and make sure everything sits in HammerTech. Otherwise you still see that human error coming in.”
“Anything that gets you out talking to site crews and not shuffling paper is a win.”
Micks adds that digital systems will become unavoidable for builders pursuing FSC accreditation: “Paper just isn’t efficient anymore. You need consistency. You need something people will actually use.”
And if asked by another builder whether HammerTech made the difference to regain FSC accreditation?
“Absolutely. Auditors could see our site safety processes working, not just policies on paper. HammerTech made that possible.
"Without proving that visibility and control, getting FSC accreditation would have been that much harder."