Overview
This unit covers the administration of construction contracts including: control of extensions of time, variation, site instructions; chain of responsibilities; reporting and quality assurance; management of sub contractors and suppliers; head contract management. It also develops an understanding of contract management including: specification and the preparation of building contracts; the assessment of tenderers and tender negotiation; project planning; worker induction; documentation control and records management; progress reporting; contract inspections; management of variations, extensions of time, breaches of contract; liquidation damages and reporting; project commissioning and defects liability period activities and responsibilities improvement mechanisms and processes.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
There are no requisites for this unit.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 2 - 2026
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Student Unit and Teaching Evaluation (SUTE) in T2, 2025
Students suggested that more detailed feedback on assignments should be provided.
Develop a structured feedback approach that provides detailed, actionable comments on assignments. This will include using clear rubrics, highlighting strengths and areas for improvement, and offering specific guidance on how students can enhance their work.
Feedback from Student Unit and Teaching Evaluation (SUTE) in T2, 2025
Students noted that communication was clear, and assignment requirements were thoroughly explained.
Maintain and further strengthen the practice of clear communication and thorough explanation of assignment requirements. This will be operationalised through scheduled assessment briefing sessions, the provision of detailed marking rubrics in advance, and the use of exemplars to illustrate expected standards. In addition, ongoing opportunities for clarification will be provided through structured Q&A sessions and regular communication via the Moodle site to ensure students are well-supported throughout the assessment process.
- Describe the role as building professional for clients towards the successful completion of the project.
- Compare the different types of building contract arrangements.
- Apply systems and management procedures for the control of contract documentation and cost control.
- Formulate a tendering process for collecting and analysing tenders.
- Explain quality management and quality control with regard to contract administration.
- Explain variation administration, contract scope changes and contract review and evaluate their implications.
- Conduct a site meeting and site inspection.
- Explain the administration requirements and procedures of project completion and hand-over.
- Use effectively a range of appropriate communication modes.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 30% | |||||||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 35% | |||||||||
| 3 - Written Assessment - 35% | |||||||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | |
| 1 - Communication | |||||||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | |||||||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | |||||||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | |||||||||
| 5 - Team Work | |||||||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | |||||||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | |||||||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | |||||||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | |||||||||
| 10 - First Nations Knowledges | |||||||||
| 11 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||||||||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 30% | |||||||||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 35% | |||||||||||
| 3 - Written Assessment - 35% | |||||||||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Zoom access for weekly meetings
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
f.afzal@cqu.edu.au
Week 1
Begin Date: 13 Jul 2026Module/Topic
Contractual Background
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 2
Begin Date: 20 Jul 2026Module/Topic
Types of Contracts
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 3
Begin Date: 27 Jul 2026Module/Topic
Contact Selection
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 4
Begin Date: 03 Aug 2026Module/Topic
Public Private Partnership
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 5
Begin Date: 10 Aug 2026Module/Topic
Contract Communications and Claims
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 6
Begin Date: 17 Aug 2026Module/Topic
The Pre-Tender Contact
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Vacation Week
Begin Date: 24 Aug 2026Module/Topic
No class
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 7
Begin Date: 31 Aug 2026Module/Topic
The Tender Period
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 8
Begin Date: 07 Sep 2026Module/Topic
Procurement and Capital Works Framework
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 9
Begin Date: 14 Sep 2026Module/Topic
Defect Liability Period
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 10
Begin Date: 21 Sep 2026Module/Topic
Post Contract Administration
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 11
Begin Date: 28 Sep 2026Module/Topic
Project Completion
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 12
Begin Date: 05 Oct 2026Module/Topic
Class Presentations
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Exam Week
Begin Date: 12 Oct 2026Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Vacation/Exam Week
Begin Date: 19 Oct 2026Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Written Assessment
The assessment consists of three parts and focuses on Topics 1 and 2. Further details will be available on Moodle.
AI Assessment Scale: AI Planning (You may use Al for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.
Please ensure that you upload your completed work by the nominated due date. Follow the step-by-step instructions provided on-screen during the submission process. Once uploaded, your work will be automatically checked using Turnitin, a tool that detects text similarity to identify possible instances of plagiarism. You are encouraged to review your Turnitin report and, if necessary, revise your work to address any issues before the deadline.
It is essential that your submission is entirely your own. If you use any sources, they must be appropriately cited in accordance with the CQU Harvard referencing style, as outlined in the CQU Harvard referencing guide.
Additional guidance and information about the assessment requirements can be found on the unit's Moodle site.
Vacation Week Monday (24 Aug 2026) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 7 Monday (31 Aug 2026)
Via Moodle
The assessment will be assessed on the following criteria:
Clarity and succinctness of expression.
Adequate coverage of topics discussed.
Use of supporting information where appropriate and associated references.
Original thought.
Overall presentation and the ability to communicate using correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
Where appropriate, the use of graphs, illustrations, and other diagrams that visually support the context of the submission.
Demonstration of the core knowledge associated with this course and appropriate application of this knowledge.
- Describe the role as building professional for clients towards the successful completion of the project.
- Compare the different types of building contract arrangements.
- Apply systems and management procedures for the control of contract documentation and cost control.
- Use effectively a range of appropriate communication modes.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Ethical practice
2 Written Assessment
The assessment consists of three parts and focuses on Topics 3 and 4.
Part 1: Requires students to discuss building claims.
Part 2: Requires students to investigate and report on tendering procedures.
Part 3: Requires students to explain project contract administration processes.
AI Assessment Scale: AI Planning (You may use Al for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas).
It is essential that your submission is entirely your own. If you use any sources, they must be appropriately cited in accordance with the CQU Harvard referencing style, as outlined in the CQU Harvard referencing guide.
Additional guidance and information about the assessment requirements can be found on the unit's Moodle site.
Week 9 Monday (14 Sept 2026) 11:45 pm AEST
To be submitted on Moodle
Week 11 Monday (28 Sept 2026)
Via Moodle
The assessment will be assessed on the following criteria:
Clarity and succinctness of expression.
Adequate coverage of topics discussed.
Use of supporting information where appropriate and associated references.
Original thought.
Overall presentation and the ability to communicate using correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
Where appropriate, the use of graphs, illustrations, and other diagrams that visually support the context of the submission.
Demonstration of the core knowledge associated with this course and appropriate application of this knowledge.
- Explain quality management and quality control with regard to contract administration.
- Explain variation administration, contract scope changes and contract review and evaluate their implications.
- Use effectively a range of appropriate communication modes.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
3 Written Assessment
Assessment 3 consists of two parts:
1- Written Report (15%)
2- Class Presentation (20%)
AI Assessment Scale: AI Planning (You may use AI for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.
It is essential that your submission is entirely your own. If you use any sources, they must be appropriately cited in accordance with the CQU Harvard referencing style, as outlined in the CQU Harvard referencing guide.
Additional guidance and information about the assessment requirements can be found on the unit's Moodle site.
Week 12 Wednesday (7 Oct 2026) 11:45 pm AEST
Class presentation will be done during scheduled tuturial session
Vacation/Exam Week Monday (19 Oct 2026)
Via Moodle
The assessment will be assessed on the following criteria:
Clarity and succinctness of expression.
Adequate coverage of topics discussed.
Use of supporting information where appropriate and associated references.
Original thought.
Overall presentation and the ability to communicate using correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
Where appropriate, the use of graphs, illustrations, and other diagrams that visually support the context of the submission.
Demonstration of the core knowledge associated with this course and appropriate application of this knowledge.
No submission method provided.
- Apply systems and management procedures for the control of contract documentation and cost control.
- Formulate a tendering process for collecting and analysing tenders.
- Explain quality management and quality control with regard to contract administration.
- Explain variation administration, contract scope changes and contract review and evaluate their implications.
- Conduct a site meeting and site inspection.
- Explain the administration requirements and procedures of project completion and hand-over.
- Use effectively a range of appropriate communication modes.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Team Work
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
