Q. What is the status of previous AUS-SPEC licences?
A. NATSPEC has no responsibility regarding pre-September 2007 licences and therefore assumes your past licence conditions still hold. Under the new licence subscribers may NOT distribute editable versions of AUS-SPEC to non-subscribers.
Q. How does the pre-September 2007 and new AUS-SPEC differ?
A. This Comparison table lists the old AUS-SPEC specification numbers and titles with the new specification numbers and titles, together with their location in New packages.
Q. Where do I find AUS-SPEC # 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6A and 6B?
A. AUS-SPEC # 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6A and 6B are now part of different AUS-SPEC packages. Refer to the Comparison table.
Q. Can AUS-SPEC be distributed?
A. Councils may distribute, in non-editable formats, amended relevant worksections to consultants or contractors who undertake works for Council or works which Council later accepts, such as residential subdivisions, and will not be in contravention of the licence agreement. However, if the receiver is expected to produce and be responsible for a specification based on AUS-SPEC, a relevant NATSPEC subscription should be a condition of engagement. This makes sure the consultant's information is up-to-date and in line with the requirements of Council. Currently state, territory and federal government bodies check that consultants are subscribers by viewing the subscriber list on www.natspec.com.au. If their consultant is not a subscriber, Council then requests the consultant to become a subscriber. Usually this requirement is part of the Council’s contract with the consultant.
Councils assist AUS-SPEC copyright protection by preventing downloading of the specification by those not involved in the projects. It is recommended that if you wish to place pdf versions of your specification on your website, it needs to be within a secure section requiring registration. This does not necessitate individual passwords.
As a not-for-profit organisation NATSPEC depends on subscription income to fund updating and development of information. Without consultants paying for the specifications, the price to Local Councils will need to be increased.
Q. Can I buy a single worksection?
A. If Council asks a consultant/contractor to comply with AUS-SPEC for a single project, and you do not wish to subscribe to the AUS-SPEC packages but require a single worksection for the specific project a single worksection can be purchased for $99 (including GST) instead of subscribing to a package. This worksection will not be updated. It is the purchaser’s responsibility to make sure they purchase the latest version.
Q. What is included in each package?
A. AUS-SPEC is available in seven packages. The following packages are available:
Complete (which includes all the packages); Contracts; Urban and open spaces; Buildings; Roadworks and bridges; Public utilities and Maintenance (non-parks).
Q. What does each package consist of?
A. The National Worksection Matrix provides a complete list of worksections included as part of each package and allows a comparison of packages.
Q. Where can I find 306U?
A. 306U Road openings and restorations utilities was part of the superseded AUS-SPEC#1. It is now aligned to the National Classification System with the new classification number of 1152 Road openings and restorations (Utilities). Refer to the Comparison table.
Q. Can I use SPECbuilder for AUS-SPEC?
A. SPECbuilder is available for AUS-SPEC subscribers. Subscribers can access SPECbuilder through the homepage of the NATSPEC website. SPECbuilder guide, a step-by step guide is also available on the web.
Q. How do I know whether it is a NATSPEC or an AUS-SPEC worksection?
A. The following workgroups distinguish between NATSPEC and AUS-SPEC worksections by including the suffix (AUS-SPEC) to identify AUS-SPEC worksection within a particular workgroup.
Workgroup 00 Planning and design is exclusively for AUS-SPEC design worksections.
Workgroups 01 - 03 include NATSPEC and AUS-SPEC building construction worksections.
Workgroups 04 - 09 include NATSPEC building construction worksections.
Workgroups 11-13 include entirely AUS-SPEC construction worksections and
Workgroups 11-18 include entirely AUS-SPEC maintenance worksections.
Q. Can I use AUS-SPEC for different types of contracts?
A. AUS-SPEC can be used for the following contract requirements:
- Conditions of contract (Tendering)
- Quality control: Quality System (Assurance) or Integrated Management System Control
- Method of Payment: Schedule of Rates or Lump Sum.
Q. What are TECHguides?
A. TECHguides provide roadmaps and examples of documentation for local government projects. They include information on contracts, technical specifications and tender submission requirements. They should be read before starting project documentation. They are included in the Resource Materials/AUS-SPEC folder in SPECbuilder Live in PDF format and can be printed as required.
Q. Can the TECHguides be customised?
A. TECHguides are reference documents and cannot be customised.
Q. How do I know what has changed since the last Update?
A. The AUS-SPEC Update summary available in the Resource Materials/AUS-SPEC folder of SPECbuilder Live, provides a summary of the global changes made to all the worksections as well as a detailed summary of changes on a clause by clause basis since the last update. The AUS-SPEC pdf documents also show the changes as highlighted text since the last update.
Q. How can I provide feedback or be involved in the AUS-SPEC review process?
A. Simply write to us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Q. Can I customise the worksections?
A. AUS-SPEC worksections are only templates. For each project the specifier will need to select the appropriate worksections and edit the material to suit the project. This may include deleting inappropriate material or adding text. It is the responsibility of the user to complete it appropriately and check for applicability for local conditions and regulations.
Q. What do I do if there is no worksection to cover what I require?
A. You can create your own worksections and give it a four digit number so that it aligns to the NATSPEC classification structure and is located in the appropriate workgroup. If the content required for the project does not exist in the current NATSPEC worksections, either add required text to the existing worksections or provide new worksections using the NATSPEC structure, terminology and format.
Q. Can I change the ‘Pay Items’ to align with our internal schedules?
A. Yes. You can change and also add additional pay items to the Pay items clause of each worksection but you need to ensure that the Pay items aligns with the 0151 Schedule of rates worksection.