Overview

This unit of study aims to introduce students to the fundamental aspects of the law and contracts applicable to construction projects.

Requisites

Prerequisites

175 credit points
OR
50 credit points in AB-APPTEC

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
02-March-2026
31-May-2026
Last self-enrolment date
15-March-2026
Census date
31-March-2026
Last withdraw without fail date
21-April-2026
Results released date
07-July-2026
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
01-March-2027
30-May-2027
Last self-enrolment date
14-March-2027
Census date
30-March-2027
Last withdraw without fail date
20-April-2027
Results released date
06-July-2027

Unit learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  1. Explain contract practices, procedures and standard forms of contracts for construction projects (A1, A4, A5, A6, K5 ,K6, S4)
  2. Apprise contractual obligations and relationships in construction projects (A1, A4, A5, A6, K5, K6, S4)
  3. Identify and recognise the fundamental laws and legal requirements applicable to construction contracts and contract administration in projects (A1, A4, A5, A6, K5, K6, S4)
  4. Recognise various forms of contracts and procurement procedures in the construction industry including subcontracts and professional services contracts (A1, A4, A5, A6, K5, K6, S4)
  5. Exercise and reflect upon the professional and legal/legislative responsibilities of construction professionals in the changing workplace (A1, A2, A4, A5, A6, A7, K5, K6, S4)
  6. Integrate professional procedures and regulations (addressing safety, health, social cultural, and environmental factors) in contracts/contractual relationships (A1, A2, A4, A5, A6, A7, K5, K6, S4)

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
On-Campus
Lecture		 2.00  12 weeks  24
On-Campus
Class		 2.00  12 weeks  24
Unspecified Activities
Independent Learning		 8.50  12 weeks  102
TOTAL     150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
Assignment Individual/Group 20-40%  1,2,3,4,5,6 
Test Individual  60-80%  1,2,3,4,5,6 

Hurdle

As the minimum requirements of assessment to pass a unit and meet all Unit Learning Outcomes to a minimum standard, a student must achieve:

(i) an aggregate mark of 50% or more, and
(ii) at least 40% in the final assessment.

Students who do not successfully achieve hurdle requirement (ii) will receive a maximum of 45% as the total mark for the unit.

Content

  • Principles of contracts; Elements of contract; Contractual procedures
  • Various forms of contract (including standard and bespoke), Duties, obligations and responsibilities of various parties involved in construction contracts
  • Fundamentals of contract law & standard construction contracts, general conditions of contract for Civil Engineering & Construction Works particularly AS2124, AS4000
  • Tort including Duty of Care, Negligence and Nuisance
  • Environmental legislation, professional responsibility and negligence

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.