New government procurement rules coming into force this week will help keep construction companies afloat by promoting better practises when awarding multi-million dollar construction projects, ministers say.

Economic Development Minister Phil Twyford says the 'lowest price model” approach used across the sector resulted in construction companies cutting costs and under cutting each other so intensely that some projects became financially unviable.

'In the worst cases, companies collapsed before construction was completed, resulting in sub-contractors not being paid.

'The new rules move away from a ‘lowest price model' to a ‘broader outcome model' which has to take into account the financial health of the construction company, the health and safety of its workers and the environmental health of the building.”

The new wide-ranging government procurement rules come into effect on October 1 and use the Government's annual procurement spend to achieve better public value, by targeting ways to improve cultural, social, economic and environmental outcomes.

The rules refer to new construction procurement guidelines which require government departments to consider factors including skills development and training undertaken by construction companies and their subcontractors, whether there is strong governance over the project and sustainable building practices such as using sustainable materials and minimising waste.

Construction Minister Jenny Salesa says the new guidelines help address some of the key concerns raised through the Construction Sector Accord, including a focus on the whole of life public value and reducing financial risk.

'We are helping boost the resilience of construction companies by being more transparent in contracting about what risks exist and who is liable for managing them. This allows for fairer pricing, fairer margins, and less likelihood of unexpected financial shocks. It considers the whole of life value to the public of construction, not just the initial costs.

'This initiative is part of the government's comprehensive plan to address the long-term challenges the sector faces through lasting system and behavioural changes. Government contracts make up 18 per cent of all large scale construction projects,” she says.

Phil says as consumers, government has the power to influence industry through its spending choices.

'We are now making an effort to use our collective government spend to make a difference where it counts. This is about the government leading by example, and we hope the private sector will follow suit.”