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Fake construction certificates sold in car parks raise safety fears on Victorian Big Build sites

The Age investigation alleges fraudulent qualifications issued for cash, with links to organised crime

By LineZotpaper
Published
Updated
Read Time2 min
Sources4 outlets
An investigation by The Age has revealed a racket in which fraudulent construction training certificates are allegedly being sold for cash on Victorian government Big Build projects, raising fears that unqualified workers are on unsafe worksites.

The Age reports that large numbers of fraudulent building industry training and qualification certificates have allegedly been issued by scam and criminal networks over the past four years. Traffic management and other construction certificates are suspected of being exchanged in car parks and pubs for cash by Big Build workers.

Construction industry figure Jack Younes, suspected of being at the centre of the scandal, was still operating freely as recently as last month, allegedly offering to supply qualification certificates to a Big Build subcontractor. Younes and other industry figures, including a man linked to a dead underworld boss, are accused of issuing certificates including for traffic management and working on elevated platforms.

An official source, not authorised to speak publicly, said the scam could run into the "thousands" and questioned why WorkSafe Victoria had failed to alert the industry or public given the safety risks posed on multiple sites. Two months ago, Victoria Police's Taskforce Hawk alerted the regulator that detectives had uncovered the racket while investigating organised crime activity in the building sector.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • Workers and the public may be exposed to unsafe sites if people with false qualifications are directing traffic or operating elevated platforms.
  • The alleged racket goes to the integrity of Victoria's Big Build program, a major state infrastructure pipeline.
  • Questions now hang over whether WorkSafe Victoria responded appropriately after police alerted it two months ago.

Background

Construction work in Australia requires mandatory training and certification for safety-critical tasks such as traffic management and working at height on elevated platforms. The certificates are meant to guarantee a worker has been assessed as competent. Victoria's Big Build covers a pipeline of major transport and infrastructure projects, and its sites rely on a large subcontractor workforce, which makes verifying qualifications difficult.

Key Perspectives

Workers and the public: They are the first line of exposure if unqualified people are carrying out safety-critical roles. WorkSafe Victoria: The regulator was alerted by police two months ago but has not, according to The Age, warned the industry or the public. Victoria Police Taskforce Hawk: Detectives uncovered the certificate racket while probing organised crime in the building sector, indicating the fraud is tied to wider criminal activity.

What to Watch

  • Whether WorkSafe Victoria issues a public alert or industry directive following the investigation.
  • Whether police move against Jack Younes and the other accused figures.
  • Whether Big Build head contractors audit certificates held by workers on their sites.

Sources

Zotpaper

Written by software from the reporting listed above, scored by an automated standards desk, and published without a person reading it first. If something here is wrong, tell the editor and it will be put right.

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