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The Contract Administrator
The Contract Administrator
Contract administrators in the residential building industry are responsible for preparing and managing home building contracts and other approvals needed by a client when building a new home.
Contract administrators need to have a keen eye for detail and great time management skills. They also need to be enthusiastic about continuing to build their knowledge, especially as regulations evolve.
Meet the contract administrator: Hayley Ashton
Hayley Ashton is working in a construction administrator role for Ultra Living Homes. They currently have a lot of unique builds on the go. ‘I assist the site supervisors in their role by providing support to their daily activities, collating certificates, providing client updates and assisting them with troubleshooting,’ Hayley says.
‘No day is the same - I am constantly learning. Working on a wide array of builds means there is always a new set of challenges to keep all the project cogs turning,’ she explains. ‘I love liaising with the different trades from drafties through to plumbers and everyone in between – it gives me a better understanding of the industry as a whole.’
Hayley’s parents have a background in real estate development. ‘When I returned from overseas in my mid-twenties, I went into real estate, and it carried on from there. I moved through NRAS housing, compliance and eventually construction (in both pre-site and onsite roles).’
‘The mix of customer service, problem solving and construction is what I enjoy,’ she says. ‘It’s the constant on the job challenges/learning that keep me interested in the industry and wanting to progress through different roles within the same sector.’
Hayley’s advice? ‘There are so many avenues in construction, and you can find a role that plays to your strengths,’ she says. ‘Younger me thought it was a very male dominated industry. However, these days the women are holding their own and contributing to the industry with their own talents.’
Hayley’s top five tips
Always aim to work alongside someone you look up to.
Find a mentor and surround yourself with a positive team. We’re at work for the majority of the week. A great team makes it a fun place to be, especially when the work can be stressful.
Be a problem solver and solutions oriented.
Many roads lead to Rome, so don’t give up on the first hurdle. There is always a way to get something done.
Be a chameleon.
We deal with so many different personalities and positions in this role. It’s important to read the room and adapt your delivery to the audience.
Have a thorough understanding of the construction process from sale through to handover.
A little knowledge about a lot of different areas will aid in any admin type position within construction.
Always be learning.
I wasn’t satisfied with being told “just because” by a colleague, I needed to understand the why behind it so I could effectively explain things to a client. This is why I am studying the Builder Low Rise qualification through HIA. This extra knowledge allows me to ask the right questions, to make informed decisions and to approach things differently.
Contract administrators in Australia: key statistics
Employed
21,200Median age
41Female share
49%What a contract administrator does
Creates, evaluates, and negotiates changes to contracts, programs and projects.
Handles inquiries and resolves disputes related to contracts, programs, projects, services, and stakeholders.
Oversees documentation related to contracts and other project approvals.
Collaborates, with project managers, architects, engineers, owners and other team members to achieve objectives.
Provides guidance to senior management on key issues and helps implement their decisions.
How to get qualified
Construction administrators are essential for the efficient operation of building businesses. They must have a strong understanding of construction processes to ensure that each stage of a project is delivered in accordance with timelines and contractual agreements. While some people begin their career in the industry as a contract administrator, becoming a contract administrator is a common career progression for skilled trades workers. It can be a useful career step for skilled trades workers planning to become licensed builders.
Certificate IV in Building Project Support provides the education foundations to become a contract administrator. Several universities offer undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications in construction management which provide an education pathway to become a contract administrator.
