The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has granted authorisation to the Australian Brick & Blocklaying Training Foundation (ABBTF), Think Brick Australia and the Concrete Masonry Association of Australia to continue to apply a small levy on the sale of clay brick and concrete masonry products.
The funds raised will support programmes to address shortages of trained bricklayers by promoting bricklaying apprenticeships to school leavers and bricklayers, and assisting apprentices to complete their training.
“The levy makes it easier for bricklayers to take on apprentices,” ACCC Commissioner Dr Jill Walker said.
“While the levy does add about $15 to the cost of building a house, this is more than offset by the benefit to consumers of reducing delays to construction caused by bricklayer shortages.”
Authorisation provides statutory protection from court action for conduct that might otherwise raise concerns under the competition provisions of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010. Broadly, the ACCC may grant an authorisation when it is satisfied that the public benefit from the conduct outweighs any public detriment.
Further information is available on the public register.