A co-regulatory model for engineering registration

  • The community benefits from improved safety
  • Industry benefits from knowing they are engaging suitably qualified engineers.
  • Victoria benefits from ensuring we harness our investment to build local industry.
  • The integrity and standing of the engineering professions is protected and enhanced

Model

How will it work?

The Bill requires that engineers who work in certain areas of engineering will be required to be registered, unless they work under the direct supervision of a registered engineer, or the work is in accordance with a prescriptive standard, as defined in the legislation.

The Bill aims to:

  • Promote best practice in the provision of professional engineering services;
  • Ensure that professional engineering services are provided only by suitably qualified and experienced engineers;
  • Authorise a registered engineer to be engaged in the building industry; and
  • Provide appropriate protection to consumers of professional engineering services provided by registered engineers.

The Business Licensing Authority (BLA) will register applicants if satisfied the applicants meet certain eligibility requirements, including that the applicant meets certain qualification and experience requirements set out in an assessment scheme. The assessment of qualifications and experience will be carried out by assessment entities, approved to do so under the co-regulatory model.

Engineers who are engaged in the building industry and who wish to perform certain functions under the Building Act 1993 will be required to hold an endorsement, which will be recommended by the Victorian Building Authority (VBA). Where a registered engineer has an endorsement, the VBA will rely on disciplinary and entry powers under the Building Act 1993 in relation to the endorsement; and

In other cases, the Director of Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) will be the lead regulator and rely on entry powers in the Bill, along with applied provisions of the Australian Consumer Law and Fair Trading Act 2012. Disciplinary proceedings will generally be conducted by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) on application by the Director of CAV (the Director).