The Fair Work Building and Construction agency will embark on a national audit of 100 companies next month; the sweep for non-compliant builders was announced overnight.

It’s already annoyed Master Builders Australia, who have called for the audit to be cancelled or postponed, accusing Fair Work of only just releasing guidelines for the code they are now checking. Workplace Relations Minister Bill Shorten announced the new construction code in February, on the same day as the announcement of the upcoming election.

Fair Work Building and Construction agency director Brian Corney said the pilot audit program “may take some time to assess” submissions, and that “FWBC’s intention is to use the pilot as an opportunity to educate building industry participants.”

Critics of the changes in compliance rules say it’s added unnecessary red tape to for the industry, and may unjustly favour unions.