Professional registration opens in ACT

The ACT government has opened its registration scheme for professional engineers, making it the fourth jurisdiction in Australia to establish such a scheme, alongside Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales.

The scheme, which opened on March 6, 2024, is built on the Professional Engineers Act 2023. It makes registration mandatory for individuals wishing to do engineering work in the ACT, whether or not they are based there.

Applications are now open for civil and structural engineers. In July 2024, applications open for mechanical engineers. Then in November 2024, applications open for electrical and fire safety engineers.

All engineers doing work in the ACT must be registered by March 6, 2025.

Three assessment entities approved

As part of the registration process, engineers must obtain an assessment report from an approved assessment entity. Three entities have so far been approved in the ACT: AIRAH, Engineers Australia, and the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia.

AIRAH’s APER scheme has been developed specifically for engineers working in HVAC&R building services. It has now been approved in the ACT, Queensland and Victoria.

“Approved assessment entities are an integral part of the scheme,” the ACT government says, “and will provide the required assessment report on whether a person meets the qualifications, experience and competency requirements for registration.”

The ACT government has published information on its website indicating the qualifications, competencies and experience required.

The ACT government has published information on the qualifications, competencies and experience required.

Scheme specifics

The ACT government says it is hoping to turn around applications within six weeks. Assessment entities will also require time to perform assessments. Applicants are best advised to contact these entities directly for more information.

Engineers already registered in some other jurisdictions can avail themselves of automatic mutual recognition through Access Canberra when registration becomes mandatory on March 6, 2025.

If the applicant seeks to provide professional engineering services to or for the building and construction industry, they must indicate this on their application and their assessment report must include an assessment against the additional requirements.

Fees include the impost charged by the assessment entity, an application fee, and a registration term fee. The application fee and registration term fees are noted on the ACT government website. Registration runs for three years.

For more information, visit the ACT Government Planning website.