If the owner does not appoint a principal contractor, the owner is taken to be the principal contractor.

If a principal contractor is not appointed for demolition work or asbestos removal work, the employer carrying out the work is taken to be the principal contractor for the work. Subject to this, if an owner does not appoint a principal contractor, the owner is taken to be the principal contractor for the construction work.

See clauses 210(4) and 210(6) of the OHS Regulation 2001.