The management of the risks of termite attack on new buildings in Australia falls to a range of agencies and is mostly achieved through controlling the process by which structures are certified as complying with the Building Code of Australia. Australian Standard AS3660 parts 1, 2 & 3 have historically been the core of this function but now the Building Codes Board's own certification scheme, Codemark™, is making inroads. Subterranean termites are a threat to structures across the whole of mainland Australia but the risk is lower towards the south and is zero in Tasmania. Management of the termite risk for new buildings is required wherever there is deemed to be a threat. In parts of Victoria, some areas are deemed not to be at risk even though these endemic pests are active. Australian Standard AS3660 parts 1, 2 & 3 is currently being updated and the revisions are expected to be published in early 2013. The peak structural timber pest manager group, the Australian Environmental Pest Managers' Association, has begun a series of industry Codes of Practice which set out industry practice an so exceed Australian Standards which necessarily set minimum criteria. This paper discusses the regulatory system in Australia and current industry trends.

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