Hold point vs witness point

The difference in one line: at a hold point work stops until someone approves. At a witness point they are invited, but work can go on.

Last updated: November 2026

Hold point

A hold point is a checkpoint in an Inspection and Test Plan where work must stop until a named person has inspected it and signed it off. Nobody builds over it until then.

Examples: reinforcement steel before a concrete pour, a waterproofing flood test before tiling, plumbing pressure tests before walls are lined.

Witness point

A witness point is one where the builder, client or inspector is told in advance and may attend. If they do not turn up at the agreed time, work can continue.

Examples: a slump test on delivered concrete, a final walk-through before handover.

Review check

A review check is a normal quality check done by your own crew. Take the photo, tick it off and move on.

Which one should I use?

• Choose a hold point when the work will be hidden or covered, or fixing it later would be costly.
• Choose a witness point when the other party wants to see it, but delays would hurt the job.
• Choose a review for everything else.

Your project specification or head contractor decides which points are mandatory. This is general information, so follow your contract and the relevant Australian Standards. See the disclaimer.

See real examples in the ITP templates by trade, or run them in the OzHub ITP app.

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