ABIC DIGITAL
ABIC
DIGITAL
Manage the project. Not the paperwork.
Say goodbye to printing, posting and chasing signatures. ABIC Digital brings the entire contract process online, with the streamlined tools architects have asked for. It offers a simpler, more efficient way to manage projects, stay compliant and handle jobs of every size, without the admin burden.
Developed by the Australian Institute of Architects in partnership with Master Builders Australia and technology provider Paid Inc, this new platform retains everything you trust about ABIC – its structure, terms and protections – while delivering a modern, paper-free experience.
The same ABIC contracts. Now fully digital. With all parties in one place.
ABIC Digital puts the full contract lifecycle online. Creation, execution, variation management, and payment protection.
All in one platform. All parties in one place.
Same contracts. Same terms. Same protections. Nothing you trust has changed.
Written by the profession.
Delivered for the profession.
ABIC is the only suite of standard-form building contracts in Australia designed specifically for architect-administered projects. Jointly published by the Australian Institute of Architects and Master Builders Australia, and now delivered digitally through Paid Inc.
The contracts have not changed. The platform has.
The contracts are identical. Every word.
ABIC Digital uses exactly the same contract documents as the paper versions; the same structure, the same clauses, the same state-specific provisions, the same balanced protections for architect, builder, and client.
If you’ve used ABIC before, you already know these contracts. Nothing has been rewritten, reinterpreted, or restructured. The legal substance is unchanged.
Paper contracts remain available for sale online to Institute members via ___. You can continue purchasing them through the Institute if preferred.
- All contract terms and conditions
- Balanced protections for all parties
- State-specific legislative compliance
- Plain English structure
- Architect as administrator - your role, protected
- Dispute resolution mechanisms
- Variation and progress claim provisions
Eight things that are better on ABIC Digital.
Built better. Designed for how you actually work.
01
Guided contract creation.
Walk through each section with built-in prompts. No ambiguity about what to fill in or which state provisions apply.02
Digital execution.
All parties sign online. No printing or posting.03
All parties in one platform.
Architect, owner, and builder work from the same contract with no conflicting versions, no lost documents.04
Digital variation management.
Raise, review, and approve variations in the platform. Every decision is logged, timestamped, and traceable.05
Progress claim certification.
Review and certify progress claims in-platform. Your Security of Payment obligations are documented automatically.06
Compliance guidance built in.
State-specific notice templates and prompts. Stay on top of legislative obligations at every step.07
Secure document storage.
Every document, certificate, notice, and signature stored and accessible. Your administration record is always on.08
Offline administration.
Administer the contract and related payments offline where needed. The platform supports the way you work — it doesn’t dictate it.SecurePaid – Payment protection
Full visibility over every project payment.
ABIC Digital includes SecurePaid, an optional payment protection layer that secures payments before they move and gives all parties real-time visibility on payment status.
The building sector has one of the worst late payment records of any industry in Australia. From July 2026, Payday Super changes will make working capital management tighter for every practice paying wages. Getting paid on time stops being a preference, it becomes an operational requirement.
SecurePaid is optional and activated within the platform.
How to get started
Three steps to your next contract
01 Create your free Paid Inc account
Note: your Paid Inc account is separate from your RAIA member login. This takes about two minutes to set up and you’ll only do it once.
02 Select your contract.
Choose your ABIC contract type from the list below : Major Works, Simple Works, or Basic Works. The platform will guide you through every section.
03 Set up your project.
Enter your project details, add the other parties, and invite them to the platform. Builder and client accounts are free. You only pay when you’re ready to send the contract.
You are not charged until you are ready to send the contract.
PAPERLESS BENEFITS
They’re the same contracts you’re already familiar with – the same terms and conditions, the same balanced protections, and the same clear, industry-standard language.
Using Paid, contracts can be executed quickly and accurately with the added ability to administer the contracts digitally via the platform.
When you select your contract, you’ll be taken to the Paid Inc platform, where you can create an account and start your next project with all the added benefits of digital delivery.
WHAT YOU GET WITH ABIC DIGITAL
- Real-time contract administration
- Simple digital variation management
- Digital claim submission and review
- Built-in contract compliance guidance
- Secure document capture and storage
- Strong payment and fraud protection
- Faster payments and reduced delays
- A single source of truth for all project parties
NOT SURE WHAT CONTRACT TO USE?
Simple Works ($179). Smaller or less complex projects. Available for both commercial and residential use. Each version aligns with the legal requirements of its jurisdiction and offers a straightforward framework for contract administration, with options for either monthly progress payments or legislated stage payments where required.
Major Works ($179). High-value or complex projects in commercial or residential. Available for all states and territories. Each contract is tailored to meet state-specific legislative requirements and includes detailed provisions to support clear, compliant project management.
Basic Works ($37.80). Small commercial projects up to approximately $50,000.
Cost Plus ($169). Where the total project cost cannot be confirmed at the start.
SELECT YOUR CONTRACT
ABIC Major Works Commercial
ABIC MAJOR WORKS 2018
Price: $179.00 (incl GST)
This is the latest issue of the ABIC Simple Works (SW) contract, launched in 2018, and can only be used for non-housing projects. The SW contract should be selected to suit each individual project, taking account of its complexity, value and any specific project issues or requirements. The SW and the Major Works (MW) contract both adapt monthly progress claims and payments. Compared to the MW contract, the SW does not provide contract mechanisms for:
- Urgent Instructions, Separable Parts to the Works (Staged Practical Completion), Change of Type of Security, Security From Owner to Contractor, Dangerous or Contaminated Materials, Encroachments, Quality Assurance Systems, and Separate Contractors.
- Eligible Institute members can access additional and supporting documents via Acumen.
ABIC Major Works Residential
ABIC Major Works Housing ACT 2018
Price: $179.00 (incl GST)
This is the latest issue of the ABIC Major Works contract, launched in 2018, and can only be used for housing projects. Under the Building Act 2004 (Act), projects for residential building and for which the contract price is $12,000 or more, must use a compliant form of contract, like the MW H ACT.
- Under the Act, “residential building work” includes the construction, alteration or improvement to a residential building (as defined below) and associated building work, but not paving, fencing, retaining walls and swimming pools, or demolition of a whole building, among other things.
- Under the Act, a “residential building” means a building intended mainly for private residential use if for example the building has no more than 3 storeys (excluding any storey used exclusively for carparking), or a part of any building, more than 3 storeys or not, if that part provides structural support (is structurally integral) to a residential building.
- The definition of “residential building work” in the Act is not particularly clear and the Act seeks to clarify the meaning by analysing a number of examples of building types and situations. If there is any doubt about whether the project is a residential building, the builder or the owner should get legal advice about whether the Act applies to the project.
- The MW H ACT also provides a mechanism for the owner to pay the contractor a deposit. The deposit amount is a pre-payment of the contract price. See the User Guide for more information on the deposit amount payable and how the mechanism for payment works under the ABIC 2018 contracts.
- Eligible Institute members can access additional and supporting documents via Acumen.
ABIC Major Works Housing NSW 2018
Price: $179.00 (incl GST)
This is the latest issue of the ABIC Major Works contract, launched in 2018, and can only be used for housing projects. Under the Home Building Act 1989 (HBA), projects for residential building work, with a contract price of more than $20,000, must use a HBA-compliant form of contract like the MW H NSW. The MW H NSW contract adopts stage payments prescribed by the HBA, instead of the ABIC-standard monthly progress payments.
- The MW contract should be selected to suit each individual project, taking account of its complexity, value and any specific project issues or requirements. Compared to the Simple Works (SW) contract, the MW also provides contract mechanisms for:
- Urgent Instructions, Separable Parts to the Works (Staged Practical Completion), Change of Type of Security, Security From Owner to Contractor, Dangerous or Contaminated Materials, Encroachments, Quality Assurance Systems and Separate Contractors.
- The MW H NSW also provides a mechanism for the owner to pay the contractor a deposit. The deposit amount is a pre-payment of the contract price, capped to limits specified in the HBA. See the User Guide for more information on the deposit limits and how the mechanism for payment works under the ABIC 2018 contracts.
- Under the HBA, residential building work is the construction of a dwelling, or alterations or additions to a dwelling, or repairing, renovation, decoration or protective treatment of a dwelling. A “dwelling” is any building intended to be used as a dwelling–such as a detached or semi-detached house, terrace or town house, duplex, villa-home, strata or company title home unit or residential flat.
- Eligible Institute members can access additional and supporting documents via Acumen.
ABIC Major Works Housing NT 2018
Price: $179.00 (incl GST)
This is the latest issue of the ABIC Major Works contract, launched in 2018, and can only be used for residential building projects. Under the Building Act (Act), projects for residential Prescribed Building Work, with a contract price of more than $12,000 must use a compliant form of contract like the MW H NT. The MW H NT adopts the optional progress payment arrangement, not the standard stage payments under the Act.
- The MW contract should be selected to suit each individual project, taking account of its complexity, value and any specific project issues or requirements. Compared to the Simple Works (SW) contract, the MW also provides contract mechanisms for:
- Urgent Instructions, Separable Parts to the Works (Staged Practical Completion), Change of Type of Security, Security From Owner to Contractor, Dangerous or Contaminated Materials, Encroachments, Quality Assurance Systems and Separate Contractors.
- The MW H NT also provides a mechanism for the owner to pay the contractor a deposit. The deposit amount is a pre-payment of the contract price, capped to the limit specified in the Building Regulations. See the User Guide for more information on the deposit limits and how the mechanism for payment works under the ABIC 2018 contracts.
- Eligible Institute members can access additional and supporting documents via Acumen.
ABIC Major Works Housing SA 2018
Price: $179.00 (incl GST)
This is the latest issue of the ABIC Major Works contract, launched in 2018, and can only be used for housing projects. Under the Building Work Contractors Act 1995 (Act), projects for domestic building work with a contract price of more than $12,000 must use a compliant form of contract, like the MW H SA.
- The MW contract should be selected to suit each individual project, taking account of its complexity, value and any specific project issues or requirements. Compared to the Simple Works (SW) contract, the MW also provides contract mechanisms for:
- Urgent Instructions, Separable Parts to the Works (Staged Practical Completion), Change of Type of Security, Security From Owner to Contractor, Dangerous or Contaminated Materials, Encroachments, Quality Assurance Systems and Separate Contractors.
- The MW H SA also provides a mechanism for the owner to pay the contractor a deposit. The deposit amount is a pre-payment of the contract price, capped to limits specified in the Act. See the User Guide for more information on the deposit limits and how the mechanism for payment works under the ABIC 2018 contracts.
- Under the Act, “domestic building work” is constructing, erecting, underpinning, altering, repairing, improving, adding to or demolishing a house including the site preparation.
- If the project is the owner’s home, or multi-unit housing to be sold by the owner, domestic building work is involved.
- A house is generally a building intended as a residence, but there are exceptions. Hotels, boarding houses usually providing temporary accommodation are not a ‘house’. If the project is residential but provides temporary accommodation, the builder or the owner should get legal advice about whether the Act applies to the project.
- Eligible Institute members can access additional and supporting documents via Acumen
ABIC Major Works Housing TAS 2018
Price:$179.00 (incl GST)
This is the latest issue of the ABIC Major Works contract, launched in 2018, and can only be used for housing projects. Under the Residential and Building Work Contracts and Dispute Resolution Act 2016 (RBWC Act), projects for domestic building work, with a contract price of more than $12,000, must use a compliant form of contract, RBWC-compliant form of contract like the MW H Tas. The MW H Tas adopts stage payments as required under the RBWC.
- The MW contract should be selected to suit each individual project, taking account of its complexity, value and any specific project issues or requirements. Compared to the Simple Works (SW) contract, the MW also provides contract mechanisms for:
- Urgent Instructions, Separable Parts to the Works (Staged Practical Completion), Change of Type of Security, Security From Owner to Contractor, Dangerous or Contaminated Materials, Encroachments, Quality Assurance Systems and Separate Contractors.
- The MW H Tas also provides a mechanism for the owner to pay the contractor a deposit. The deposit amount is a pre-payment of the contract price, capped to limits specified in the RBWC and the departmental Determination. See the User Guide for more information on the deposit limits and how the mechanism for payment works under the ABIC 2018 contracts.
- Under the RBWC Act, residential building is generally constructing, altering, underpinning or demolishing a dwelling. If the project is the owner’s home or multi-unit housing, with no more than 3 separate dwellings one above the other, the project involves residential building work.
- However, a building separated into different places of residence for rental, or a building designed to house more than 12 people not of the same family is not a residential building under the legislation. If the project is a hotel, boarding house and the like, usually providing temporary accommodation, the builder or the owner should get legal advice about whether the legislation applies to the project.
- Eligible Institute members can access additional and supporting documents via Acumen.
ABIC Major Works Housing VIC 2018
Price: $179.00 (incl GST)
This is the latest issue of the ABIC Major Works (MW) contract, launched in 2018, and can only be used for housing projects. Under the Domestic Building Contracts Act 1995 (DBCA), projects for domestic building work with a contract price of more than $5,000 must use a DBCA-compliant form of contract like the MW H VIC. The MW H Vic contract includes both options for adopting either the stage payment schedule under the DBCA, or the ABIC-standard monthly progress payments.
- The MW contract should be selected to suit each individual project, taking account of its complexity, value and any specific project issues or requirements. Compared to the Simple Works (SW) contract, the MW also provides contract mechanisms for:
- Urgent Instructions, Separable Parts to the Works (Staged Practical Completion), Change of Type of Security, Security From Owner to Contractor, Dangerous or Contaminated Materials, Encroachments, Quality Assurance Systems and Separate Contractors.
- The MW H VIC also provides a mechanism for the owner to pay the contractor a deposit. The deposit amount is a pre-payment of the contract price, capped to limits specified in the DBCA and regulations. See the MW User Guide for more information on the deposit limits and how the mechanism for payment works under the ABIC 2018 contracts.
- Under the DBCA, domestic building work is the erection, construction, renovation, alteration, extension, improvement or repair of a home and associated work. If a project in Victoria is commercial or industrial but includes a residential component, then a form of contract compliant with the DBCA, such as MW H VIC, must be used.
- Eligible Institute members can access additional and supporting documents via Acumen.
Contract: ABIC Major Works Housing WA 2018
Price: $179.00 (incl GST)
This is the latest issue of the ABIC Major Works contract, launched in 2018, and can only be used for housing projects. Under the Home Building Contracts Act 1991 (HBCA), projects for home building work with a contract price between $7,500 and $500,000, must use a compliant form of contract, such as the MW 2018 H WA. If your residential project has a contract price in excess of $500,000, you could use the standard ABIC MW 2018 contract. The MW contract should be selected to suit each individual project, taking account of its complexity, value and any specific project issues or requirements. Compared to the Simple Works (SW) contract, the MW also provides contract mechanisms for:
- Urgent Instructions, Separable Parts to the Works (Staged Practical Completion), Change of Type of Security, Security From Owner to Contractor, Dangerous or Contaminated Materials, Encroachments, Quality Assurance Systems and Separate Contractors.
- Under the HBCA, ‘home building work’ is generally constructing, altering, improving or repairing a dwelling (place of residence) and associated work. If the project is the owner’s home or multi-unit housing, there is little doubt that the project involves home building work. If there is any doubt about whether the project is home building, the builder or the owner should get legal advice about whether the Act applies to the project.
- The MW H WA also provides a mechanism for the owner to pay the contractor a deposit. The deposit amount is a pre-payment of the contract price and is capped to limits specified in the HBCA and regulations. See the User Guide for more information on the deposit limits and how the mechanism for payment works under the ABIC 2018 contracts.
- Eligible Institute members can access additional and supporting documents via Acumen.
ABIC Simple Works Commerical
ABIC Simple Works 2018
Price: $179.00 (incl GST)
This is the latest issue of the ABIC Simple Works (SW) contract, launched in 2018, and can only be used for non-housing projects. The SW contract should be selected to suit each individual project, taking account of its complexity, value and any specific project issues or requirements. The SW and the Major Works (MW) contract both adapt monthly progress claims and payments. Compared to the MW contract, the SW does not provide contract mechanisms for:
- Urgent Instructions, Separable Parts to the Works (Staged Practical Completion), Change of Type of Security, Security From Owner to Contractor, Dangerous or Contaminated Materials, Encroachments, Quality Assurance Systems, and Separate Contractors.
- Eligible Institute members can access additional and supporting documents via Acumen.
ABIC Simple Works Residential
Contract: ABIC Simple Works Housing ACT 2018
Price: $179.00 (incl GST)
This is the latest issue of the ABIC Simple Works contract, launched in 2018, and can only be used for housing projects. Under the Building Act 2004 (Act), projects for residential building and for which the contract price is $12,000 or more, must use a compliant form of contract, like the SW H ACT.
- Under the Act, “residential building work” includes the construction, alteration or improvement to a residential building (as defined below) and associated building work, but not paving, fencing, retaining walls and swimming pools, or demolition of a whole building, among other things.
- Under the Act, a “residential building” means a building intended mainly for private residential use if for example the building has no more than 3 storeys (excluding any storey used exclusively for carparking), or a part of any building, more than 3 storeys or not, if that part provides structural support (is structurally integral) to a residential building.
- The definition of “residential building work” in the Act is not particularly clear and the Act seeks to clarify the meaning by analysing a number of examples of building types and situations. If there is any doubt about whether the project is a residential building, the builder or the owner should get legal advice about whether the Act applies to the project.
- The SW H ACT also provides a mechanism for the owner to pay the contractor a deposit. The deposit amount is a pre-payment of the contract price. See the User Guide for more information on the deposit amount payable and how the mechanism for payment works under the ABIC 2018 contracts.
- Eligible Institute members can access additional and supporting documents via Acumen.
Contract: ABIC Simple Works Housing NSW 2018
Price: $179.00 (incl GST)
This is the latest issue of the ABIC Simple Works contract, launched in 2018, and can only be used for housing projects. Under the Home Building Act 1989 (HBA), projects for residential building work, with a contract price of more than $20,000, must use aa HBA-compliant form of contract like the SW H NSW. The SW H NSW contract adopts stage payments prescribed by the HBA, instead of the ABIC-standard monthly progress payments.
- The SW contract should be selected to suit each individual project, taking account of its complexity, value and any specific project issues or requirements. Compared to the Major Works (MW) contract, the SW does not provide contract mechanisms for:
- Urgent Instructions, Separable Parts to the Works (Staged Practical Completion), Change of Type of Security, Security From Owner to Contractor, Dangerous or Contaminated Materials, Encroachments, Quality Assurance Systems, and Separate Contractors.
- The SW H NSW also provides a mechanism for the owner to pay the contractor a deposit. The deposit amount is a pre-payment of the contract price, capped to limits specified in the HBA. See the User Guide for more information on the deposit limits and how the mechanism for payment works under the ABIC 2018 contracts.
- Under the HBA, residential building work is the construction of a dwelling, or alterations or additions to a dwelling, or repairing, renovation, decoration or protective treatment of a dwelling. A “dwelling” is any building intended to be used as a dwelling – such as a detached or semi-detached house, terrace or town house, duplex, villa-home, strata or company title home unit or residential flat.
- Eligible Institute members can access additional and supporting documents via Acumen.
Contract: ABIC Simple Works Housing NT 2018
Price: $179.00 (incl GST)
This is the latest issue of the ABIC Simple Works contract, launched in 2018, and can only be used for residential building projects. Under the Building Act (Act), projects for residential Prescribed Building Work, with a contract price of more than $12,000 must use a compliant form of contract like the SW H NT. The SW H NT adopts the optional progress payment arrangement, not the standard stage payments under the Act.
- The SW contract should be selected to suit each individual project, taking account of its complexity, value and any specific project issues or requirements. Compared to the Major Works (MW) contract, the SW does not provide contract mechanisms for:
- Urgent Instructions, Separable Parts to the Works (Staged Practical Completion), Change of Type of Security, Security From Owner to Contractor, Dangerous or Contaminated Materials, Encroachments, Quality Assurance Systems, and Separate Contractors.
- The SW H NT also provides a mechanism for the owner to pay the contractor a deposit. The deposit amount is a pre-payment of the contract price, capped to the limit specified in the Building Regulations. See the User Guide for more information on the deposit limits and how the mechanism for payment works under the ABIC 2018 contracts.
- Eligible Institute members can access additional and supporting documents via Acumen.
Contract: ABIC Simple Works Housing QLD 2018
Price: $179.00 (incl GST)
This is the latest issue of the ABIC Simple Works contract, launched in 2018, and can only be used for domestic building work projects. Under the Queensland Building Contracts Commission Act (QBCC), projects for domestic building work with a contract price of more than $20,000 must use a QBCC-compliant form of contract. The SW H Qld contract is a QBCC ‘level 2 regulated contract’ for domestic building work over $20,000. This contract is intended for single occupancy or detached ‘duplex’ residential projects.
- The SW contract should be selected to suit each individual project, taking account of its complexity, value and any specific project issues or requirements. Compared to the Major Works (MW) contract, the SW does not provide contract mechanisms for:
- Urgent Instructions, Separable Parts to the Works (Staged Practical Completion), Change of Type of Security, Security From Owner to Contractor, Dangerous or Contaminated Materials, Encroachments, Quality Assurance Systems, and Separate Contractors.
- The SW H Qld also provides a mechanism for the owner to pay the contractor a deposit. The deposit amount is a pre-payment of the contract price, capped to limits specified in the QBCC and regulations. See the User Guide for more information on the deposit limits and how the mechanism for payment works under the ABIC 2018 contracts.
- Under the QBCC, domestic building work includes building, renovating or repairing a home or detached dwelling and all work associated with that domestic building work (like landscaping, garages fencing and swimming pools). “Detached dwelling” means a single detached dwelling or a duplex. If a project in Queensland is commercial or industrial but includes a residential component, then a form of contract compliant with the QBCC (a ‘mixed-purpose contract’), like the SW H Qld, must be used.
- Eligible Institute members can access additional and supporting documents via Acumen.
Contract: ABIC Simple Works Housing SA 2018
Price: $179.00 (incl GST)
This is the latest issue of the ABIC Simple Works contract, launched in 2018, and can only be used for housing projects. Under the Building Work Contractors Act 1995 (Act), projects for domestic building work with a contract price of more than $12,000 must use a compliant form of contract, like the SW H SA.
- The SW contract should be selected to suit each individual project, taking account of its complexity, value and any specific project issues or requirements. Compared to the Major Works (MW) contract, the SW does not provide contract mechanisms for:
- Urgent Instructions, Separable Parts to the Works (Staged Practical Completion), Change of Type of Security, Security From Owner to Contractor, Dangerous or Contaminated Materials, Encroachments, Quality Assurance Systems, and Separate Contractors.
- The SW H SA also provides a mechanism for the owner to pay the contractor a deposit. The deposit amount is a pre-payment of the contract price, capped to limits specified in the Act. See the User Guide for more information on the deposit limits and how the mechanism for payment works under the ABIC 2018 contracts.
- Under the Act, “domestic building work” is constructing, erecting, underpinning, altering, repairing, improving, adding to or demolishing a house including the site preparation.
- If the project is the owner’s home, or multi-unit housing to be sold by the owner, domestic building work is involved.
- A house is generally a building intended as a residence, but there are exceptions. Hotels, boarding houses usually providing temporary accommodation are not a ‘house’. If the project is residential but provides temporary accommodation, the builder or the owner should get legal advice about whether the Act applies to the project.
- Eligible Institute members can access additional and supporting documents via Acumen.
Contract: ABIC Simple Works Housing TAS 2018
Price: $179.00 (incl GST)
This is the latest issue of the ABIC Simple Works contract, launched in 2018, and can only be used for housing projects. Under the Residential and Building Work Contracts and Dispute Resolution Act 2016 (RBWC Act), projects for domestic building work, with a contract price of more than $12,000, must use a compliant form of contract, RBWC-compliant form of contract like the SW H Tas. The SW H Tas adopts stage payments as required under the RBWC.
- The SW contract should be selected to suit each individual project, taking account of its complexity, value and any specific project issues or requirements. Compared to the Major Works (MW) contract, the SW does not provide contract mechanisms for:
- Urgent Instructions, Separable Parts to the Works (Staged Practical Completion), Change of Type of Security, Security From Owner to Contractor, Dangerous or Contaminated Materials, Encroachments, Quality Assurance Systems, and Separate Contractors.
- The SW H Tas also provides a mechanism for the owner to pay the contractor a deposit. The deposit amount is a pre-payment of the contract price, capped to limits specified in the RBWC and the departmental Determination. See the User Guide for more information on the deposit limits and how the mechanism for payment works under the ABIC 2018 contracts.
- Under the RBWC Act, residential building is generally constructing, altering, underpinning or demolishing a dwelling. If the project is the owner’s home or multi-unit housing, with no more than 3 separate dwellings one above the other, the project involves residential building work.
- However, a building separated into different places of residence for rental, or a building designed to house more than 12 people not of the same family is not a residential building under the legislation. If the project is a hotel, boarding house and the like, usually providing temporary accommodation, the builder or the owner should get legal advice about whether the legislation applies to the project.
- Eligible Institute members can access additional and supporting documents via Acumen.
Contract: ABIC Simple Works Housing VIC 2018
Price: $179.00 (incl GST)
This is the latest issue of the ABIC Simple Works (SW) contract, launched in 2018, and can only be used for housing projects. Under the Domestic Building Contracts Act 1995 (DBCA), projects for domestic building work with a contract price of more than $5,000 must use a DBCA-compliant form of contract like the SW H VIC. The SW H Vic contract includes both options for adopting either the stage payment schedule under the DBCA, or the ABIC-standard monthly progress payments.
- The SW contract should be selected to suit each individual project, taking account of its complexity, value and any specific project issues or requirements. Compared to the Major Works (MW) contract, the SW does not provide contract mechanisms for:
- Urgent Instructions, Separable Parts to the Works (Staged Practical Completion), Change of Type of Security, Security From Owner to Contractor, Dangerous or Contaminated Materials, Encroachments, Quality Assurance Systems, and Separate Contractors.
- The SW H VIC also provides a mechanism for the owner to pay the contractor a deposit. The deposit amount is a pre-payment of the contract price, capped to limits specified in the DBCA and regulations. See the SW User Guide for more information on the deposit limits and how the mechanism for payment works under the ABIC 2018 contracts.
- Under the DBCA, domestic building work is the erection, construction, renovation, alteration, extension, improvement or repair of a home and associated work. If a project in Victoria is commercial or industrial but includes a residential component, then a form of contract compliant with the DBCA, such as SW H VIC, must be used.
- Eligible Institute members can access additional and supporting documents via Acumen.
Contract: ABIC Simple Works Housing WA 2018
Price: $179.00 (incl GST)
This is the latest issue of the ABIC Simple Works contract, launched in 2018, and can only be used for housing projects. Under the Home Building Contracts Act 1991 (HBCA), projects for home building work with a contract price between $7,500 and $500,000, must use a compliant form of contract, such as the SW 2018 H WA. If your residential project has a contract price in excess of $500,000, you could use the standard ABIC MW 2018 contract. The SW contract should be selected to suit each individual project, taking account of its complexity, value and any specific project issues or requirements. Compared to the Major Works (MW) contract, the SW does not provide contract mechanisms for:
- Urgent Instructions, Separable Parts to the Works (Staged Practical Completion), Change of Type of Security, Security From Owner to Contractor, Dangerous or Contaminated Materials, Encroachments, Quality Assurance Systems, and Separate Contractors.
- Under the HBCA, ‘home building work’ is generally constructing, altering, improving or repairing a dwelling (place of residence) and associated work. If the project is the owner’s home or multi-unit housing, there is little doubt that the project involves home building work. If there is any doubt about whether the project is home building, the builder or the owner should get legal advice about whether the Act applies to the project.
- The SW H WA also provides a mechanism for the owner to pay the contractor a deposit. The deposit amount is a pre-payment of the contract price and is capped to limits specified in the HBCA and regulations. See the User Guide for more information on the deposit limits and how the mechanism for payment works under the ABIC 2018 contracts.
- Eligible Institute members can access additional and supporting documents via Acumen.
BASIC WORKS
Contract: ABIC BW 2018 Commercial Basic Works (Set of 3)
Price: $37.00 (incl GST)
The ABIC BW 2018 Commercial basic works contract is recommended only for small or simple projects up to approximately $50,000 in value. It is a short-form contract where almost all detail and contract information is known and specified at tender and the commencement of the work.
- It is best suited to projects like a commercial office fit-out or alterations and additions that for non-domestic/housing/home building work.
- This contract is not suitable for use on domestic, housing, residential or home building work, where the project is subject to the relevant legislation in that state or territory.
- Eligible Institute members can access additional and supporting documents via Acumen.
Commercial Works
Contract: ABIC CP-2014 C Commercial Cost Plus (Set of 3)
Price: $169.00 (incl GST)
The ABIC Cost Plus contract, CP-2014 C, is intended for use where an architect administers a cost plus contract. CP-2014 C replaced the former AIA/Master Builders agreed contract FF/C which is now obsolete. Use of FF/C is no longer authorised.
- It is best suited to projects like a commercial office fit-out or alterations and additions that for non-domestic/housing/home building work.
- This contract is not suitable for use on domestic, housing, residential or home building work, where the project is subject to the relevant legislation in that state or territory.
- Eligible Institute members can access additional and supporting documents via Acumen.
Your next project. Your next contract. Same ABIC. Now digital.
Free account. Same contracts. Three steps to get started.
Agreements
Contract: Architect-Specialist Consultant Agreement 2017
Price: $17.10 (inlc GST)
The Institute’s Architect–Specialist Consultant Agreement (ASCA2017) is intended for use where the Architect is directly engaging the specialist consultant and pays the specialist consultant directly. It is not intended to be used or adapted for use by your client to engage specialist consultants.
> Access the user guide for more information about this contract
FAQS
Understanding ABIC Digital
What is ABIC Digital?
ABIC Digital is the new online version of the Australian Building Industry Contracts provided via the Paid Inc platform. It allows architects, builders and clients to create, manage and finalise contracts electronically.
Who is behind ABIC Digital?
ABIC Digital is a collaboration between the Australian Institute of Architects, Master Builders Australia and Paid Inc, the technology provider.
Are the contracts changing?
No. The digital contracts are identical in content and structure to the paper versions. They offer the same balanced protections and industry-standard language.
Are my Paid Inc. login details the same as my Institute login? What does this mean for payments?
The login for Paid Inc. is different to your Institute portal login. You won’t have a purchase history in your Institute portal of contract purchases made via Paid Inc. Tax invoices for contract purchases will be emailed to you at the time of purchase by Paid Inc.
*The Institute is not responsible for any misdirected or incorrect payments. Please ensure all payment details are accurate and funds are sent to the correct account.
How do I get started with ABIC Digital?
Begin by visiting Paid Inc and registering for a free account. Once registered, you can set up your project by entering basic details such as the project address, type of project, payment frequency, and your role.
My RAIA login doesn't work on Paid Inc. What's happening?
Your Paid Inc account is completely separate from your RAIA member login, this is by design, as Paid Inc is an independent platform. You’ll need to create a new account at app.paid.inc. It takes about two minutes, and you’ll only do it once. Your RAIA membership is not affected. Tax invoices for contract purchases will come from Paid Inc directly, not through your Institute portal.
Will my builder need to use the platform too?
Yes, but the friction is low. Builders and clients create free Paid Inc accounts to view and sign the contract. There is no cost for them. You create the contract, invite the other parties, and they receive an email prompting them to join. The platform is straightforward to navigate. You initiate and control the process.
I've already bought paper contracts. Can I transfer them?
No, paper contracts purchased through the Institute cannot be converted to digital versions on Paid Inc. They remain valid and can still be used. If you’ve purchased paper contracts recently, contact us at membership@architecture.com.au and we’ll discuss your options. Paper contracts will remain available for as long as there is demand.
What is Securepaid and does it cost my client anything?
Securepaid is an optional payment protection and visibility feature. It allows the client to preload funds before work begins- reserved for approved progress payments and gives all parties real-time visibility over payment status. The client pays no fee to preload funds. When a progress payment is received through the platform, the builder is charged a 0.3% transaction fee. The architect pays no fee. ABIC contracts already include provisions for interest on late payments regardless of whether they are administered digitally or on paper.
What happens if I need help during contract setup?
For help with the platform itself, including how to navigate Paid Inc, technical issues, account questions, please contact Paid Inc directly at contact@paid.inc. For questions about the contracts themselves including which type to use, how to interpret a clause, compliance questions, please contact us at membership@architecture.com.au.
Can I still buy paper contracts?
Yes. Paper contracts remain available through the Institute’s online store. They are identical to the digital versions in content.