The administrator approved one task but the site now wants extra work

The request has grown beyond the order

A hypothetical subcontractor receives an authorised order for a defined task after the builder enters voluntary administration. Once on site, a familiar supervisor asks the crew to complete additional work. Before assuming the original approval covers it, compare the request with the order and clarify the authority for the change. One authorised task is not a substitute for understanding the scope of the next instruction.

Read the existing order closely

Identify the company, work description, quantity, price and any limits or conditions. Keep the administrator's ordering instructions with the document. If the scope is ambiguous, ask the appropriate contact to clarify it promptly. Do not assume that an order number on a timesheet makes every activity performed that day part of the authorised supply.

Use the administrator's specified process

ASIC advises providers of goods or services during voluntary administration to obtain a purchase order authorised in the manner specified by the administrator. Apply that practical check to the proposed change and ask what evidence is required. This article does not conclude that any particular extra work creates a personal liability for the administrator. The actual authority and circumstances need assessment.

Source: ASIC: Voluntary administration, a guide for creditors

Describe the change before pricing it

In the hypothetical example, the extra task may require more labour, different materials or work at another location. Provide a clear description and supported price through the agreed process. Keep urgent safety concerns separate and raise them with the responsible people. Do not use an informal request as a reason to make unsafe decisions or disregard existing obligations.

Keep original and revised instructions together

If the change is authorised, retain the confirmation and ensure the crew and accounts team use the current scope. Preserve earlier versions so the history remains understandable. Separate disputed or unapproved additional work in the records and obtain advice on how it should be handled. Avoid retrospectively describing all work as covered by the first order because that is easier to invoice.

Check the invoice against the confirmed supply

Match completed work and supporting records to the authorised arrangement before submitting the invoice. CRP can help organise the commercial position if payment or authority remains disputed. The useful protection is a clear link between the instruction and what was supplied, rather than assuming a legitimate purchase order has unlimited reach.