5 November 2025
The Queensland Government has moved away from the long-standing Australian Standard Contract AS2124-1992 and AS4300-1995 contract templates – a change driven by the withdrawal of AS2124 and the introduction of the new AS4000-2025.
To replace the old AS2124/AS4300 Special Conditions, the Queensland Government has now issued three new template contracts, each built off the NCW4 – National Capital Works – General Conditions of Contract for Construction:
- Construct Only Contract – Conditions of Contract, which replaces the Queensland Government’s AS2124-1992 – Special Conditions for Contract and Annexure (June 2025);
- Design and Construct Contract – Conditions of Contract, which replaces the Queensland Government’s AS4300-1995 – Special Conditions of Contract and Annexure (June 2025); and
- Modular Contract – Conditions of Contract (October 2025), which replaces the Queensland Government’s AS4300-1995 – Special Conditions of Contract and Annexure – Modular (June 2025).
Why NCW4?
The NCW4 was originally developed by the Australasian Procurement and Construction Council and Austroads as a free modern and more accessible alternative to AS2124-1992.
The Queensland Government states that it has aimed to:
- Preserve the familiar risk allocation used under AS2124 / AS4300 (with the usual Qld Government modifications);
- Introduceclearer administration processes aligned with current best practice, and
- Carry forward existing government policy requirements from their previous Special Conditions.
But here are the key takeaways.
The Queensland Government has heavily amended the original terms of the NCW4:
- These are not “vanilla” NCW4 contracts.
- The risk profile has changed.
- Members need to review and price risk accordingly.
Anyone used to AS2124/AS4300 will notice familiar concepts – but should not assume that the risk allocation or procedures remain unchanged.
Our Members Legal team is on hand to assist. Please give them a call on 1300 30 50 10.
Major Sponsors
