What is erection or supervision of temporary structures work?
This guide explains the typical tasks for erection or supervision of temporary structures work. If you are asked to an assessment interview, some of your interview questions will be based on this information.
A registered erector or supervisor of temporary structures is responsible for undertaking or supervising the erection, maintenance and dismantling of particular types of temporary structures, including prescribed temporary structures.
A prescribed temporary structure is one that does not form part of any other building other than a temporary structure or temporary building, and that falls within the following classes of temporary structure:
- tents, marquees or booths with a floor area greater than 100 m2
- seating stands for more than 20 people
- stages or platforms (including sky borders and stage wings) more than 150 m2 in floor area
- pre‐fabricated buildings exceeding 100 m2 other than ones placed directly on the ground surface.
Temporary structures are typically installed at public events such as circuses, horse race meetings, concerts and festivals. The structures must be designed according to engineering principles so that they are structurally safe, and safe for the public and other users. For this reason, they must be erected according to design specifications that allow safe access and egress of all people (including those with a disability), provide sanitary facilities, and meet fire safety requirements.
What are the classes of erector or supervisor of temporary structures?
The classes of erector or supervisor of temporary structures are:
- Temporary Structures (limited to scaffolding, stages, and towers)
- Temporary Structures (limited to tents and marquees)
Temporary structures (limited to scaffolding stages and towers)
People registered in this class are responsible for erecting and dismantling stages, seating stands, equipment platforms and towers fabricated on-site from tubes and fittings or other scaffolding components of metal and other materials.
Temporary structures (limited to tents and marquees)
People registered in this class are responsible for erecting and dismantling tents and marquees.
What do registered practitioners need to know and do?
A registered Temporary Structures (limited to scaffolding, stages, and towers) practitioner must have capacity to undertake or supervise the following activities in a competent manner and to a professional standard:
- apply knowledge of the Australian Building Codes Board Temporary Structures Standard 2015
- apply structural provisions to the erection of temporary structures
- apply structural provisions to the erection, maintenance and dismantling of seating stands
- comply with occupancy permits
- demonstrate an understanding of the principles of Alternative Methods (see the ABCB Temporary Structures Standard 2015) and their application in the design, implementation and use of temporary structures
- erect and dismantle safety barriers
- erect temporary structures (scaffolding stages and towers) according to design specifications/requirements
- erect, maintain and dismantle all types of equipment platform and tower erected on site using components specified in the design and in any relevant permits
- erect, maintain and dismantle stands and platforms, including sky borders and stage wings
- establish appropriate contracts to do the work
- identify site and task related hazards and develop risk control strategies
- maintain relevant insurance cover as a registered building practitioner
- prepare, implement, and review Safe Work Method Statements (SWMSs)
- produce cost estimates and quotes for the work
- read and interpret architectural and engineering designs/drawings.
A registered Temporary Structures (limited to tents and marquees) practitioner must have capacity to undertake or supervise the following activities in a competent manner and to a professional standard:
- apply knowledge of the Australian Building Codes Board Temporary Structures Standard 2015
- apply onsite risk management or risk monitoring when planning, erecting and using temporary structures
- comply with occupancy permits
- erect and dismantle safety barriers
- erect temporary structures (tents and marquees) according to design specifications
- establish appropriate contracts to undertake the work
- maintain relevant insurance cover as a registered building practitioner
- produce cost estimates and quotes for the work
- read and interpret architectural and engineering designs/drawings.
What knowledge do you need to demonstrate?
For registration in Temporary Structures (limited to scaffolding, stages, and towers), you need one of the following:
An intermediate scaffolding licence issued under the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017
The successful completion of the required unit of competency:
- Identify construction work hazards and select risk control strategies (CPCCWHS3001 or CPCWHS3001).
For registration in Temporary Structures (limited to tents and marquees), you need the successful completion of the required unit of competency:
- Identify construction work hazards and select risk control strategies (CPCCWHS3001 or CPCWHS3001).
What experience do you need to demonstrate?
For registration in Temporary Structures (limited to scaffolding, stages, and towers)
You must have two years of practical experience to the satisfaction of the VBA in the erection, maintenance and dismantling of stages, seating stands, equipment towers and platforms fabricated on site.
You must also be able to demonstrate experience in erecting and dismantling at least five prescribed temporary structures, including:
- two seating stands for more than 20 people
- two stages or platforms more than 150 m2 in floor area.
For registration in Temporary structures (limited to tents and marquees)
You must have two years of practical experience to the satisfaction of the VBA in the erection, maintenance and dismantling of tents and marquees.
You must also be able to demonstrate experience in:
- erecting at least five tents or marquees with a floor area greater than 100 m2
- erecting two marquees on seating stands and/or scaffold structures.
How to apply
To find out how to apply, return to the Building Practitioner registration page.