Inside Verified - Financial
Recovery & AS1851-2012 Readiness
In November’s edition of Inside Verified, we showcase major developments shaping compliance and governance across the industry. Our latest case study discovers how clients have recovered significant contractor refunds supported by Verified’s real-time validation tools, delivering immediate cost savings. We also unpack a critical regulatory update – AS1851-2012 will become mandatory in NSW from February 2026. Learn how you can best prepare.
Case Study: Regulatory Compliance & Financial Recovery
One major retailer with 900+ sites nationwide is required to maintain strict Essential Safety Measures (ESM) compliance across every state and territory. They engaged contractors to deliver testing and maintenance in line with AS1851-2012 and all associated State Regulatory requirements but previously had no way to verify performance or prove compliance at audit.
After onboarding Verified, the entire contractor engagement was moved into a controlled, accountable framework. The client used Verified to:
- Track attendance and delivery of every scheduled inspection.
- Capture all compliance documentation in real time (a legal requirement for building owners and occupiers).
- Measure contractor performance against Australian Standards and state-based regulations.
- Automate exception-reporting and evidence trails for audit readiness.
Under the terms of their contracts, missed tests trigger a full refund, and out-of-tolerance maintenance (as stipulated in AS1851-2012) requires 25% credit. With Verified providing definitive, real-time verification of service delivery, the client was able to enforce these provisions fairly and transparently.
Within the first six months, Verified was used to identify gaps and underperformance that resulted in contractor refunds exceeding the initial investment in the platform. As a result, the retailer:
- Proved compliance at a national level
- Shifted from assumed delivery to verified delivery
- Gained financial protection through measurable performance enforcement
- Strengthened governance and audit readiness
Verified turned regulatory risk into measurable accountability and delivered an immediate financial return.
Did You Know? AS1851-2012 Becomes Mandatory in NSW February 2026
NSW will formally enforce AS1851-2012 from February 2026, following the 12-month delay announced earlier this year. This update will have direct implications for building owners, facility managers, and any organisation responsible for fire safety maintenance.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Building owners remain legally responsible: No matter who performs the work, owners must ensure systems are tested, maintained and documented in accordance with AS1851-2012.
- Facility managers carry operational responsibility: FMs must ensure contractors are completing the correct routines, logging evidence, and providing compliant reporting.
- The standard increases contractor accountability: AS1851-2012 requires accurate records, proper documentation, and clear evidence of service delivery.
Accurate, comprehensive documentation is at the heart of the standard. For FMs, this means:
- Log every service and inspection: The need to capture dates, technician details, findings, defects, and corrective actions.
- Audit your records regularly: Check for gaps, inconsistencies, or incomplete documentation that could expose your business.
Is your system ready? Verified is purpose-built to support AS1851-2012 compliance. The platform:
- Captures all required documentation
- Timestamps evidence directly from site
- Generate reports needed to demonstrate compliance during audits
- Ensures contractor accountability through real-time verification
With the deadline approaching, now is the ideal time to ensure your systems, contractors, and internal processes are aligned with AS1851-2012.