Prequalifying subcontractors in New Zealand: a practical checklist
Under HSWA, PCBUs who work together on a site must consult, cooperate and coordinate. For a main contractor that means knowing, before a subcontractor starts, that they can do the work safely and are properly covered. That's what prequalification is for.
What to collect
At a minimum: their SSSP and the SWMS/JSA for any higher-risk work; public liability insurance and confirmation of ACC cover; relevant licences and Site Safe passports for their workers; and plant records for equipment they bring on site. A SiteWise grade, if they have one, is useful supporting evidence.
Check it actually fits
Collecting documents isn't the same as checking them. Confirm the insurance is current and the cover matches the work; confirm licences are the right type and in date; and confirm the SWMS is specific to the job, not a generic template. This is where prequalification usually falls down — documents are gathered but never verified.
Keep it live
Insurances lapse and tickets expire mid-project. Aim for a live picture of your supply chain with anything missing or expiring flagged automatically, rather than a folder of PDFs that was accurate only on day one.
Questions, answered
What is ACC's role for contractors?
New Zealand's ACC scheme provides no-fault cover for work injuries, funded by levies. It doesn't replace public liability insurance, so you'll still want to confirm a subcontractor holds appropriate liability cover for the work.
Can I rely on a generic SWMS from a subbie?
No. A SWMS should be specific to the work being done on your site. A generic template that hasn't been tailored to the task doesn't demonstrate the risks have actually been thought through.
Prequalify subbies in minutes
Complys requests the exact documents each job needs, checks cover, scope and dates automatically, and gives you a live picture of your whole supply chain — free for 90 days.
Start your free 90-day trial