AS 4000:2025 is the latest edition of the General Conditions of Contract, a widely used standard form contract in the Australian construction industry. It provides a balanced framework for managing contractual relationships between principals, contractors, and subcontractors. This update marks the first revision since 1997 and reflects nearly three decades of legislative and industry change. The revised standard maintains the familiar risk allocation of the original while improving clarity, usability, and legal alignment.
Why AS 4000 matters?
AS 4000 is a foundational document for construction contracts in Australia. It sets out the rights, responsibilities, and obligations of parties involved in a project, supporting consistent and fair contract administration.
The 2025 revision seeks to ensure the standard remains current and practical, incorporating feedback from industry stakeholders and aligning with modern legal requirements.
What's new in AS 4000:2025?
The update introduces several key updates:
Legislative alignment
Incorporates changes to reflect: › Goods and Services Tax (GST) – new provisions for tax invoices and payments. › Personal Property Securities Act (PPSA) – clauses to manage security interests. › Work Health and Safety (WHS) – updates for appointing a principal contractor.
Modernised language and structure
Simplified contract language and consolidated definitions (now all in Clause 1) improve readability and reduce ambiguity.
Clarified practical completion
Updates define practical completion more clearly, including that the completion date may precede the certificate issuance.
Flexible dispute resolution
New options include expert determination, mediation, and dispute boards. The default process is negotiation followed by arbitration or litigation.
Formal Instrument of Agreement
A new optional agreement form simplifies contract execution.
Who uses AS 4000?
The standard is designed for a wide range of professionals involved in construction and infrastructure projects, including:
Principals and contractors
Project managers
Legal advisors
Contract administrators and consultants
Key principles retained
While the structure and language have been modernised, AS 4000:2025 continues to uphold the core principles that have made it a trusted industry standard:
Balanced risk allocation - consistent with the Abrahamson Principles.
Clarity and consistency - across clauses and definitions.
Practicality - designed for real-world application.
What's next?
Following the release of AS 4000:2025, Standards Australia will review and update related documents, including:
HB 140:2000, Administration Manual for AS 4000
AS 4902:2000, General Conditions of Contract for Design and Construct
Watch: AS 4000:2025 explained
Access the standard
AS 4000:2025 is available in a fully editable Microsoft Word format, making it easy to tailor to your project needs. For more information, visit the License Content page.
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