June 2026
Partnership for Change
Best practice principles released
New industry-backed principles, developed by Consult Australia and the Australian Constructors Association, can help clients and project teams improve productivity, reduce rework and deliver better value for communities.
The Australian Constructors Association (ACA) and Consult Australia have released five best practice principles for project design. Developed with input from the Construction Industry Leadership Forum, the principles draw on direct industry experience and are intended to support more efficient, disciplined design processes across major projects.
ACA and Consult Australia began publishing the Partnership for Change thought leadership series in 2022. Previous papers have explored digital technology, model client principles, the impact of multiple design reviews and fair approaches to reliance information.
This latest thought leadership paper identifies common challenges that continue to affect project outcomes and responds with five clear principles:
1. Stakeholder engagement is led by clients and informs project scope
2. Project design considers delivery impacts and is informed by early technical engagement
3. The project design process has clear governance, decision-making and accountability that is enforced
4. Design review has a clear purpose and is risk-based and efficient
5. Digital collaboration is the default.
“Too often, projects are affected by unclear scope, late stakeholder engagement, duplicated reviews and unclear decision-making. These five principles bring together practical lessons from across the industry to improve project outcomes,” says Kristine Banks, Consult Australia’s National Policy Manager.
The principles also reflect on lessons from industry collaboration with Transport for NSW’s Industry Affairs and Partnerships Program. In 2024, Consult Australia members contributed through the Design Review Working Group to develop reforms that are being embedded in project and procurement documentation.
Consult Australia is keen to hear member examples of effective design collaboration, streamlined design reviews or other approaches that have improved project outcomes. “Our advocacy is strongest when it is backed by real project experience. Member examples help us show government clients what good practice looks like in action,” Kristine says.
Download Partnership for Change Project design: best practice principles. To contribute a case study or example, contact Consult Australia’s National Policy Manager, Kristine Banks.