AUS-SPEC

AUS‑SPEC is developed by the industry, for the industry and IPWEA encourages local councils to subscribe to the AUS-SPEC services.

Robert Fuller
Former CEO IPWEA

What is AUS-SPEC?

AUS-SPEC is the national local government specification system for the life cycle management of assets. It is a joint venture between IPWEA and NATSPEC, with the objective to improve consistency, quality, and efficiency in construction through proactive leadership of information.

Local government plays an important role in land use planning, development, approval, and construction of infrastructure in all Australian states. AUS-SPEC assists Councils in this role by providing documentation templates and guidance material for a systematic approach to the planning, design, and construction of new infrastructure assets. AUS-SPEC also provides documentation related to the maintenance of existing assets.

Councils using AUS-SPEC have achieved reduced claims and expenditure and increased efficiency. A particular advantage of the AUS-SPEC system is its consistency between Councils. Other benefits of using the specifications are listed below.

About NATSPEC
NATSPEC is a national not-for-profi t organisation whose objective is to improve the construction quality and productivity of the built environment through leadership of information. AUS-SPEC is aligned to the NATSPEC National Classification System, which has been widely adopted by the construction industry.

AUS-SPEC benefits for asset delivery

The system provides the following benefits:

	Local government focused: Planning, design, construction, and maintenance contract documentation requirements for local government assets. Simple and easy to use.
	For minor civil works: Specification requirements are limited to the standard of minor civil works. Addresses minimum best practice requirements.
	A national document: Applicable across all Australian jurisdictions. Accommodates variations for metro/regional locations, climate zones, or locally available materials.
	A reference-type specification: Minimal customisation required. Addresses the shortage of in-house technical expertise and reduces need for outsourcing. Consistency for contractors specialising in local government work. Performance and technical requirements separated from contract management requirements.
	An industry standard: Improved productivity and quality. High quality outcomes at project level.

Figure 1: Asset Lifecycle Activities (IIMM)

AUS-SPEC relationship with IIMM and AIFMM

To assist the Council’s implementation of the nationally consistent frameworks, the AUS-SPEC maintenance
management system should be integrated with the Council’s asset management plans and long term financial plans.
IPWEA’s National Asset Management Strategy Committee (NAMS) provides guidelines (IIMM and AIFMM), tools, and
templates to assist Local Government in developing asset management systems and integrate asset management with
their corporate and financial planning.

Figure 1 from the IIMM, presents the asset life cycle activities. AUS-SPEC can be used for the following IIMM-defined life cycle activities:

• Asset planning - Asset creation
• Operations and maintenance
• Asset monitoring
• Renewal and rehabilitation.

AUS-SPEC resources

Case Studies and Brochure

Local Government Specification

Subscribe to AUS-SPEC

AUS-SPEC specification packages

AUS-SPEC packages include editable specification templates, guidance and examples for preparing specifications, tender and contract documentation, maintenance management plans and contract schedules for design, and construction and/or maintenance contracts for buildings, roadworks, urban and open spaces and public utilities.

AUS-SPEC specifications are updated annually in response to changes in regulations, standards, industry practices, and the evolving needs of our subscribers.

Visit the NATSPEC website to find out more.