BERT

What BERT does

BERT (Building Employees Redundancy Trust) is a not-for-profit industry trust established in 1989 in Queensland, Australia, providing redundancy payments, welfare benefits, training grants, and financial planning services to building and construction workers in Queensland and the Northern Territory. The organisation operates a portfolio of programmes through multiple subsidiaries: Construction Income Protection (CIP, launched 2001) provides income protection and portable sick leave underwritten by QBE Insurance; the BERT Training Fund (formerly QCTF) administers industry training grants and supports 600+ apprentices; BERT Financial Services (BFS, established 2021) provides fee-free financial advice through licensed planners; and BEWT and BERT Welfare Limited manage welfare and education initiatives.

The core technology platform is BOBB (BERT Online Balances & Benefits), a proprietary web and mobile (iOS/Android) portal that provides 24/7 self-service access for members and employers to view balances, submit contributions, lodge claims, register for travel insurance, and update personal details. Employer onboarding is handled through Deeds of Adherence processed via BOBB Employers Online, with monthly contribution submissions settled by BPAY, EFT, or cheque. Insurance claims processing is outsourced to Total Claims Solutions on behalf of QBE Insurance, while travel insurance is administered by Windsor Management Insurance Brokers.

BERT is funded through recurring weekly employer contributions set by union Enterprise Bargaining Agreements (EBAs) — for example, $151/week BERT plus $25/week BEWT for adult CFMEU construction workers, and $57/week (from March 2026) for Building & Civil CIP cover. Governance is shared equally between employer associations (Master Builders Queensland) and employee unions (CFMEU and PPTEU), each nominating four directors to the BERT Group Board and CIP Board. The trust has paid over $814 million in redundancy benefits, $172 million in welfare benefits, $161 million in CIP claims, and $72 million in training funds since inception, and operates under a private ATO tax ruling secured in February 2023 that makes genuine redundancy payments tax-free up to ATO thresholds.

Name

BERT

Legal name

Building Employees Redundancy Trust Limited (BERT), ABN 82 010 917 281 as trustee of the BERT Fund No 2

Website

https://www.bert.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

BERT is a not-for-profit industry trust providing redundancy payments, income protection, portable sick leave, training grants, and welfare benefits to building and construction workers in Queensland and the Northern Territory, governed jointly by unions and employers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Construction Industry Welfare Trust

NAICS

Health and Welfare Funds (52512), Other Insurance Funds (525190), Other Insurance Funds (52519)

SIC

Accident & Health Insurance (6321), Insurance Agents, Brokers & Service (6411)

akta.pro primary industry

Ancillary Employer Benefits (Life/Disability/Accident/Critical Illness) (HLAEAAAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance (FSAIAIAD), Key Person Disability Insurance (FSAIAIAK), Disability Income Reinsurance (Life & Health) (FSAIAIAM)

Keywords

• Construction industry welfare trust
• Redundancy payment scheme
• Construction worker income protection
• Industry training grants
• Portable sick leave scheme

Headquarters

HQ city

Edge Hill

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. BERT Employer Contributions: Employers in the building and construction industry pay weekly contributions per eligible worker to BERT. Rates vary by union EBA: CFMEU adult construction workers $151/week BERT + $25/week BEWT; PPTEU workers $138/week BERT + $23/week BEWT, with apprentice rates scaled by year. Contributions fund redundancy payments, welfare benefits, and the BERT Training Fund.
2. CIP Employer Contributions: Employers pay weekly CIP contributions per eligible worker for income protection insurance. Building & Civil industry rate $57/person/week (from March 2026); Major Projects (Queens Wharf) $68/person/week; Off-site workers $22.50/person/week. Contributions fund income protection payments up to 104 weeks and portable sick leave.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

BERT is a not-for-profit industry welfare trust established in 1989 that collects weekly employer contributions to provide redundancy payments, welfare benefits (dental, funeral, ambulance, travel insurance), and training grants to building and construction workers in Queensland and Northern Territory. It also operates Construction Income Protection (CIP), an income protection insurance scheme offering up to 85% of pre-disability earnings for up to 104 weeks, plus portable sick leave that workers can carry between employers.

Product overview

BERT operates as a multi-brand financial services organization serving Queensland and Northern Territory's building and construction industry. The core offering consists of BERT (Building Employees Redundancy Trust) for redundancy payments and welfare benefits, and CIP (Construction Income Protection) for income protection and portable sick leave. These are supported by BOBB, a self-service online portal and mobile app for members and employers to manage accounts 24/7. Additional offerings include BERT Financial Services (free financial planning), BERT Training Fund (training grants for skill development), and various industry benefit programs including dental, travel insurance, funeral benefits, and ambulance cover. The products are structured as a platform (BOBB) through which members access their BERT and CIP accounts, supplemented by specialized sub-brands addressing financial planning and training needs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• BOBB (BERT Online Balances & Benefits) A self-service online portal providing 24/7 access for members and employers to view BERT and CIP account balances, submit contributions, update personal details, and manage claims. Available as both web platform and mobile app for iOS and Android.
• BERT (Building Employees Redundancy Trust) A redundancy trust providing tax-free redundancy payments and welfare benefits to building and construction workers in Queensland and Northern Territory. Has paid over $814 million in redundancy benefits and $172 million in welfare benefits since 1989.
• CIP (Construction Income Protection) Income protection and portable sick leave scheme for building and construction workers in Queensland and Northern Territory, providing up to 2 years (104 weeks) of income support during illness or injury. Has paid over $161 million to members since 2001.
• BERT Financial Services (BFS) Free financial planning and education service for CFMEU and Plumbers Union members, providing budgeting guidance, debt management, investment advice, and retirement planning through licensed financial planners.
• BERT Training Fund (BTF) Joint union and employer initiative providing training grants up to $1,500 per course and funding for construction industry workers to improve skills. Has distributed over $72 million in training funds and supports over 600 apprentices through mentorship programs.
• CIP Building & Civil Workers Cover Income protection insurance for Building & Civil construction workers covering up to 85% of pre-disability earnings (max $1,650/week from March 2026), with 21-day excess period and up to 2 years benefit period. Includes Bill Payer and WorkCover top-up benefits.
• CIP Major Projects Workers Cover Enhanced income protection for major project workers covering up to 85% of pre-disability earnings (max $2,750/week), with 14-day excess period. Designed for projects such as Queens Wharf with higher benefit caps and shorter waiting period.
• CIP Off-Site Workers Cover Income protection for joinery, manufacturing, and off-site construction workers covering up to 85% of pre-disability earnings (max $900/week). Lower contribution rate with corresponding lower benefit cap, suitable for non-site construction roles.
• Portable Sick Leave (PSL) Scheme allowing employees to bank unused sick leave days when leaving employment, capped at 100 days and held for 2 years from last contribution. Extended to cover members up to age 75 who are still working.
• BERT Industry Benefits Package Package of member welfare benefits including dental cover (up to $3,000/year), travel insurance, funeral benefits ($15,000), ambulance cover, natural disaster hardship claims ($5,000), and counselling services through Converge International.

Quantifiable outcome

• Genuine redundancy payments are tax-free up to $13,100 + ($6,552 per full year of service) for 2025/26 FY
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CFMEU Queensland/Northern TerritorycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) is the primary union partner for BERT and CIP. CFMEU nominates four directors to the BERT Group Board and four to the CIP Board. CFMEU members are eligible for all BERT and CIP benefits including redundancy payments, income protection, dental, funeral benefits, travel insurance, training grants, and financial planning. The union directs members to access BERT benefits and is co-signatory to the genuine redundancy tax ruling achieved in 2023.
• Plumbers Union QueenslandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Plumbing & Pipe Trades Employees Union (PPTEU) Queensland is a key union partner for BERT and CIP, similar to CFMEU. PPTEU nominates directors to the BERT Group Board and CIP Board. PPTEU members up to age 75 are eligible for all BERT and CIP benefits including dental, funeral, ambulance cover, income protection, and training grants.
• Master Builders Queensland (QMBA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaster Builders Queensland (QMBA) is the primary employer association partner for BERT and CIP. QMBA nominates four directors to each of the BERT Group Board and CIP Board, equal in number to worker representatives. The scheme has full support of QMBA and operates within the EBA framework that QMBA helps establish for the industry.
• Industry Fund Services Limited (IFS)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerIndustry Fund Services Limited (IFS) ABN 54 007 016 195, AFSL No 232514, is the licensed entity that facilitates the provision of financial advice through BERT Financial Services (BFS). BFS Financial Planners are employed by BFS and are authorised representatives of IFS. IFS enables BFS to provide fee-free financial planning to BERT members without commission or conflict.
• MATES in ConstructioncoreOthersMATES in Construction is a charity aimed at reducing suicide in the building and construction industry, focusing on mental health and wellbeing. BERT and CIP promote MATES on their website and at industry events. The BERT | CIP Charity Golf Day 2024 raised over $35,000 for MATES in Construction alongside other industry charities.
• Windsor Management Insurance BrokerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWindsor Management Insurance Brokers arranges and administers BERT Travel Insurance (underwritten by QBE Insurance) and assists with CIP scheme distribution. They contact details are published for travel insurance registration, claims assistance, and policy documentation. WMIB also arranges insurance for CIP scheme duration extensions beyond 180 days.
• QBE Insurance (Australia) LimitedcoreOthersQBE Insurance is the underwriter for the Construction Income Protection (CIP) accident and illness benefits program. QBE Insurance's policy covers income protection payments, WorkCover top-ups, Bill Payer, and portable sick leave for eligible construction workers. Total Claims Solutions is appointed as claims manager for QBE.
• Total Claims SolutionscoreOthersTotal Claims Solutions manages and processes all CIP insurance claims on behalf of QBE Insurance. They also provide the Work Injury Management Service (WIMS) for BERT members experiencing WorkCover issues, contracted by BERT to assist employers. Address: Level 1, 62 Astor Tce, Spring Hill QLD 4000. Phone: 07 3230 9300.
• Converge InternationalminorOthersConverge International provides confidential, professional, and free counselling support to all financial members of CFMEU and Plumbers Union, along with their immediate family members. This is part of the Converge worker assistance program referenced under BERT Industry Benefits.
• Ron Monaghan FoundationminorOthersThe Ron Monaghan Foundation (RMF) is one of three charities that benefited from the BERT | CIP Charity Golf Day 2024, which raised over $35,000. RMF is an industry charity supported by BERT and CIP community initiatives.
• Danger Sun OverheadminorOthersDanger Sun Overhead (DSO) is one of three charities that benefited from the BERT | CIP Charity Golf Day 2024. DSO appears on BERT's list of important partner websites, indicating industry support for sun safety awareness in construction.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Incolink: Incolink is Victoria's construction industry entitlement, redundancy, and portable sick leave fund — the closest direct analogue to BERT. Both administer employer-funded benefits for construction workers under industry-union agreements, providing redundancy, training, and welfare services with parallel governance models.
• CoINVEST: CoINVEST is Victoria's construction industry long service leave and entitlements administrator, jointly managed by employer associations and unions. It is a directly comparable trust structure to BERT, providing portable leave and redundancy-style entitlements to Victorian building industry workers.
• BUSSQ (Building Unions Superannuation Scheme Queensland): BUSSQ is the QLD/NT construction industry superannuation fund covering many of the same union members as BERT (CFMEU, PPTEU). It is directly comparable as a QLD/NT construction industry worker benefit vehicle, though focused on superannuation rather than redundancy/income protection.
• Redundancy Payment Central Fund Limited (RPCF): RPCF is a construction industry redundancy fund operating in NSW, with a similar trust structure and EBA-driven contribution model to BERT. It provides redundancy payments and related benefits to NSW building industry workers under union-employer governance.

Broad incumbents

• Cbus Super: Cbus is Australia's largest construction industry super fund, serving building and construction workers nationally. It is a broad incumbent peer operating in the same end-customer segment (construction workers and employers) as BERT but at national scale and focused on superannuation.
• Mercer Australia: Mercer is a global consulting firm that administers employee benefits, superannuation, and insurance programs for Australian employers. It is a broad incumbent comparable to BERT in the employer-sponsored benefits administration space, though operating at far larger scale across multiple industries.

Regional players

• TasBuild: TasBuild is Tasmania's construction industry training and redundancy body, operating under a similar union-employer trust structure as BERT. It is a regional peer serving Tasmania's building industry with comparable training, welfare, and redundancy-style services.
• LeavePlus: LeavePlus is a portable long service leave scheme for the construction industry in selected Australian states. It is comparable to BERT's portable sick leave scheme (CIP/PSL) and operates a similar industry-funded, trust-governed model for worker benefit portability.

Others

• QBE Insurance Australia: QBE Insurance is the underwriter of BERT's CIP income protection scheme and arranges BERT Travel Insurance via Windsor Management. While not a peer in business model, QBE is materially relevant as BERT's core insurance partner and a comparable general insurer in the Australian income protection market.
• Industry Fund Services (IFS): IFS is the AFSL-licensed entity that powers BERT Financial Services and provides financial advice infrastructure to multiple industry super funds. As a direct delivery partner to BERT (and a comparable model for other industry funds), IFS is an adjacent ecosystem player relevant to BERT's financial services expansion.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xfacebook.com/BERTCIP
• Facebookfacebook.com/BERTCIP
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bertcip
• Instagraminstagram.com/bertcip

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about BERT