ABH323 Contract Administration

Unit Outline: Semester 1 2026, Gardens Point, Internal

Overview

This unit develops your knowledge and skills in the administration of construction type contracts, allowing you to apply the developed skills to all types of contracts used in the building and construction industry. This unit represents one of the core applications for construction managers, quantity surveyors and cost engineers and will allow you to gain an appreciation of the commercial implications of contract administration. You will study administrative implications for both parties to the contract for both head contracts and subcontracts that can be applied to contracts of all types at all levels. You will draw on work undertaken in the earlier years of the course such as Commercial Construction and prepares you for the final semester projects.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Apply and critically appraise administrative principles associated with various forms of construction related head contracts, subcontracts, minor works contracts, design and construct contracts and consulting contracts among other forms
2. Assess and evaluate the appropriate selection, preparation and administration of construction contracts.
3. Examine and evaluate the rights and responsibilities of parties to construction contracts.
4. Develop your judgment relating to the benefits of the literal application of the contract contrasted with the understanding of longer-term relationships and alternative approaches to problem resolution.
5. Demonstrate your ability to work as part of a team and communicate in writing the interpretation and assessment of project related risks in contract administration and the assessment of payment claims under a standard form contract.
6. Develop your professional judgment, impartiality and business ethics responsibility.

Content

Learning Approaches

In this unit you can expect to experience the following timetabled activities:

• Formal lectures from experienced contract administrators, construction managers and quantity surveyors to give you insight into legal requirements associated with the professional practice of procurement and contract administration in the construction and civil infrastructure industry.
• Presentations and question and answer sessions from practicing industry professionals on topics of current industry relevance.
• Undertake a series of tutorials through which you will engage in collaborative activities with peers and tutors to discuss current issues and real-world scenarios. These tutorials will take a problem-based learning approach to deepen your knowledge and skills in practical contract administration.

To complement timetabled activities, you will be directed to supporting learning resources such as relevant Australian Standards, other readings and case studies.

You are expected to

• Tutorials and seminars where you will engage in collaborative activities with peers and tutors to discuss current issues and real world scenarios.
• Actively participate in industry-led seminars and question and answer sessions.
• Maintain notes and critical reflections on your group contributions to inform Assessment 2.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Feedback in this unit is provided to you in the following ways:

• Each assessment submission will be marked against criteria and standards which will be shared with you at the beginning of semester through Assessment Task Descriptions and Marking Rubrics. Marked assessment will include feedback from markers, against the criteria.
• During the tutorial/seminar sessions, a range of formative exercises will be discussed.
• You will be able to discuss aspects of your assessment within the tutorials/seminars.
• During the tutorial/seminar sessions, a range of formative exercises will be offered to help provide feedback directly related to the summative assessment.
• Whole-of-class feedback will be provided via QUT Canvas.

Assessment

Overview

Assessment in this unit has been designed to give you the opportunity to show your learning against the unit learning outcomes.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Assessing and Processing Claims

Prepare a report and attend a viva (see Canvas for further information) that demonstrates capabilities to administer building construction contracts, including administration, judgment, dealing with sub-contracts, and standard form. 

The ethical and responsible use of generative AI tools is authorised in this assessment. See Canvas for specific guidelines.

This report component is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Assessment: Exam

You will undertake an exam to confirm your developed knowledge and skills.

The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited during this assessment.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.

The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Resource Materials

Reference book(s)

Coggins, J. et. al. (2022) Contract Administration for Construction Professionals. Chatswood, NSW, LexisNexis Australia.

Standards Australia (1992) Handbook for General Conditions of Contract, AS2124, HB42

Standards Australia (1994) Code of Tendering, AS2124

Standards Australia (1994) The User's Manual for Lump Sum Contract, As2124, HB57

Standards Australia (1995) General Conditions of Contract for Design and Construct, AS4300

Standards Australia (1996) General Conditions of Contract for Minor Works, AS4305

Risk Assessment Statement

All commencing Faculty of Engineering students are required to complete the Mandatory Safety Induction

There are no extraordinary risks associated with the classroom/lecture activities in this unit.

Standards/Competencies

This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.

Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competency Standard for Professional Engineer

1: Knowledge and Skill Base

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2: Engineering Application Ability

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3: Professional and Personal Attributes

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Course Learning Outcomes

AB01 Bachelor of Built Environment (Honours)

1. Apply theoretical, practical and cultural knowledge and skills across a range of disciplines and specialist knowledge and skills in one built environment area.
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2. Design and critically evaluate sustainable and creative solutions to social, economic, technological and environmental challenges.
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3. Communicate knowledge, ideas and creative solutions in diverse modes, for a range of contexts and diverse audiences.
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4. Strategically collaborate with diverse stakeholders and communities, including First Nations peoples.
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5. Reflect on feedback and experience, and display professional and ethical judgment and initiative.
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