--- title: What is a qualifying cause of delay under AS 4902? description: A qualifying cause of delay under AS 4902 is a delay for which the contractor can claim an EOT. The specific qualifying causes of delay are explained in more detail here. image: https://www.turtons.com/hubfs/action-builder-construction-544966%20(1).png --- [![Turtons | Commercial Lawyers Sydney](https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/spinfluence/Retina_Logo.png "Turtons | Commercial Lawyers Sydney")](https://www.turtons.com) - [+61 2 9229 2922](tel:+61292292922) - [Contact details](https://www.turtons.com/contact-us-for-a-commercial-lawyer-in-sydney) [**](tel:+61292292922) [**](https://www.turtons.com/blog/what-is-a-qualifying-cause-of-delay-under-as-4902#) ** [**](https://www.turtons.com/blog/what-is-a-qualifying-cause-of-delay-under-as-4902#) [Browse all articles](https://www.turtons.com/blog) 13 September 2019 # What is a qualifying cause of delay under AS 4902? **A qualifying cause of delay under AS 4902 is a delay for which the contractor can claim an EOT. The specific qualifying causes of delay are explained in more detail below.** --- ## The definition of “qualifying cause of delay” The definition of ‘qualifying cause of delay’ is found in clause 1, and is as follows: *"(a) any act, default or omission of the Superintendent, the Principal or its consultants, agents or other contractors (not being employed by the Contractor); and* *(b) other than: * *(i) a breach or omission by the Contractor;* *(ii) industrial conditions or inclement weather occurring after the date for practical completion; or* *(iii) stated in Item 28,"* The delay events described in (a) will be qualifying causes of delay, whereas the events in (b) will not. This immediately raises the question: what if the delay event is not mentioned in (a) or (b)? The drafting in (b) seems to imply that delays caused by inclement weather or industrial conditions that occur before the date for practical completion will be qualifying causes of delay. But what about a delay event that is not mentioned at all - say, a delay caused by a council in issuing a permit or certificate that is outside the control of either party? The answer is unclear. Many contracts modify or replace the definition of ‘qualifying cause of delay’ to address this ambiguity. ## Compensable causes A compensable cause is a cause of delay in respect of which the contractor is entitled to claim delay damages, in addition to an extension of time. The definition of compensable cause is also found in clause 1, and is as follows: *"a) any act, default or omission of the Superintendent, the Principal or its consultants, agents or other contractors (not being employed by the Contractor); or* *b) those listed in Item 31,"* However, this definition is not the only provision under which the contractor may be entitled to claim delay damages. For example, clause 11.2 requires a valuation to be made of any difference in cost incurred by the contractor as a result of the introduction of new legislative requirements. Although not expressly stated, it appears the intent is that this 'cost' would include any additional cost incurred by reason of a delay. Similarly, clause 25.3 states that the effects of a latent condition shall be a deemed variation. Again, the intention appears to be for the contractor's entitlement to extend to delay cost. Consequently, to understand the contractor's entitlements as a whole, you must look beyond the definitions in clause 1. ## The Annexure Part A The definition of qualifying cause of delay in clause 1 is linked to item 28 of the Annexure Part A. The definition of compensable cause is linked to item 31. However, these two annexure items are a frequent cause of confusion. Whereas item 28 is intended to be a list of causes of delay that will not be a qualifying cause of delay, item 31 is a list of additional events that will be treated as compensable causes. ## Summary of entitlements The table below identifies when the contractor can claim an EOT and/or delay costs under AS 4902. It assumes that items 28 and 31 in the Annexure Part A have been left blank. If that is not the case, the position will probably be different. This summary also assumes that the contractor has not caused or contributed to the delay. If that is not the case, the contractor will probably not be able to claim an EOT, at least to the extent of its contribution. (Note that clause 34.4 allows an apportionment where concurrent delays overlap.) In the table below: - ‘QCOD’ means the definition of ‘qualifying cause of delay’ in clause 1; and - ‘CC’ means the definition of ‘compensable cause’ in clause 1. Also note that, in some circumstances, an entitlement may arise under more than one provision. ![AS 4902 Delay 2](https://www.turtons.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AS%204902%20Delay%202.png?width=729&name=AS%204902%20Delay%202.png) Download a print-friendly version of this table by clicking [here](https://www.turtons.com/hubfs/When%20can%20the%20Contractor%20claim%20an%20EOT%20and%20delay%20costs%20under%20AS%204902.pdf). [![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2568027/d19c6270-04ad-4ea4-8aaa-979ace3d3b8e.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2568027/d19c6270-04ad-4ea4-8aaa-979ace3d3b8e) ##### About the Author [Greg Henry | Principal](https://www.turtons.com/blog/author/greg-henry-principal) I support emerging companies in the construction and technology sectors with large, unusual or difficult projects and business-changing transactions. Please contact me if you have any questions related to this post. greg.henry@turtons.com | (02) 9229 2904 [**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-henry-8508421a/) ### Related Posts ### About Turtons Turtons is a commercial law firm in Sydney with specialist expertise in the construction and technology sectors. We help emerging businesses: - navigate their way through large, unusual or difficult projects,  - improve their everyday contracting processes, and - undertake strategic initiatives, such as raising capital, buying businesses, implementing employee share schemes, and selling businesses. ![Greg Henry | Principal](https://www.turtons.com/hubfs/Greg%20Henry.png) Contact [Greg Henry | Principal](https://www.turtons.com/blog/author/greg-henry-principal) greg.henry@turtons.com [![Turtons Linkedin logo](https://www.turtons.com/hubfs/linkedin-logo.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-henry-8508421a/) I support emerging companies in the construction and technology sectors with large, unusual or difficult projects and business-changing transactions. Please contact me if you have any questions related to this post. greg.henry@turtons.com | (02) 9229 2904 ### Related Posts - [Introduction to AS 4902](https://www.turtons.com/blog/an-introduction-to-as-4902) - [10 differences between AS 4902 and AS 4300](https://www.turtons.com/blog/10-differences-between-as-4902-and-as-4300) - [Common amendments to AS 4902](https://www.turtons.com/blog/common-amendments-to-as-4902) - [How to claim an EOT under AS 4902](https://www.turtons.com/blog/how-to-claim-an-eot-under-as-4902) - [How to claim a variation under AS 4902](https://www.turtons.com/blog/how-to-claim-a-variation-under-as-4902) ### Related Posts - [Introduction to AS 4902](https://www.turtons.com/blog/an-introduction-to-as-4902) - [10 differences between AS 4902 and AS 4300](https://www.turtons.com/blog/10-differences-between-as-4902-and-as-4300) - [Common amendments to AS 4902](https://www.turtons.com/blog/common-amendments-to-as-4902) - [How to claim an EOT under AS 4902](https://www.turtons.com/blog/how-to-claim-an-eot-under-as-4902) - 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[Introduction to AS 2124](https://www.turtons.com/blog/introduction-to-as-2124) 09-2018 - [10 differences between AS 4000 and AS 2124](https://www.turtons.com/blog/10-differences-between-as-4000-and-as-2124) 10-2018 - [When do employees pay tax on employee share scheme interests?](https://www.turtons.com/blog/when-do-employees-pay-tax-on-employee-share-scheme-interests) 01-2023 - [Eligibility criteria for the ESS start-up concession](https://www.turtons.com/blog/eligibility-criteria-for-the-ess-start-up-concession) 01-2023 - [The different types of construction contract explained](https://www.turtons.com/blog/how-to-choose-between-the-different-types-of-construction-contract) 12-2018 [![Resources](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2568027/6a1cb105-f5e4-41f7-a333-173c8f91238e.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2568027/6a1cb105-f5e4-41f7-a333-173c8f91238e) [![Careers](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2568027/ecde36e8-fb2b-4f7c-8d29-0cd1ae97aa50.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2568027/ecde36e8-fb2b-4f7c-8d29-0cd1ae97aa50) [![Turtons | Commercial Lawyers Sydney](https://www.turtons.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Assets_April%202017/turtons_logo.png?width=146&name=turtons_logo.png "Turtons | Commercial Lawyers Sydney")](https://turtons-2568027.hs-sites.com/home) Level 22, Sydney Place, 180 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000  P: [+61 2 9229 2922](tel:+61292292922) | E: [info@turtons.com](mailTo:info@turtons.com) [Terms of Use](https://www.turtons.com/terms-of-use)  |  [Privacy](https://www.turtons.com/privacy) Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.  ![](https://px.ads.linkedin.com/collect/?pid=1556145&fmt=gif)