Discussion paper: National Registration Framework for Building Practitioners

With regards to Access Consulting , NO, our competencies and experience are not reflected in the NRF. Access Consultants are placed within the Endorsed Expert Building Designers category (page 16). Access Consultants are not designers, we do not design and document buildings. We review and provide advice on the design of new and existing buildings regarding access for people with disabilities based on Australian Standards, National Construction Code and consultation with users with disability. The use of the word and category of "Design"is misleading and could lead to confusion.

The NRF may improve perceived confidence in Access Consultants through registration but it will also lead to confusion, as our role is not to design but to consult and advise architects, designers and building owners on the requirements for access for people with disability . Having to gain our three years experience working under someone with a building designer of Level 1 or 2 will not equip new Access Consultants for their role. And should this requirement come in without significant "grandfathering" then there will be a significant shortage of Access Consultants in the industry.
Currently following completion of the Access Consulting Cert 4 and Diploma course to gain Accreditation status with the Association of Consultants in Access Australia (ACAA) a new consultant must gain experience but working under the supervision of an experience access consultant. This the best way to enhance confidence in the practice of Access Consultants.

Yes there will be significant confusion within the industry by putting Access Consultants within a design category as this is not the role we currently perform. We do not design, we consult and provide advice pertaining to access for people with disability.

Access Consultants generally do not work in building design practices and to have to have 3 years supervision by a building designer would not work as currently most Access Consultants would work with other Access Consultants or in building surveying companies. Currently the industry is not structured to achieve this direct supervision.

No. With regards to Access Consulting we see that there will be greater confusion around our role as we do not operate as designers.

Disability access designer does not reflect the services that Access Consultants provide. We do not design but evaluate and provide advice on design documentation pertaing to access for people with disability. Disability in the title is not appropriate and is out dated. Many people in the community have a wide range of needs including those that are old and frail, they may not consider themselves "disabled" but would benefit from contrast nosing strips. "Access" is a more positive term and "Consultant" represents the work that we do , consult. We review design documents and provide advice or consult. We also consult with users of buildings, people with a disability, building surveyors, architects/designers, builders, therapists and other professionals. The term "Access Consultant" is now widely understood and recognized, a deviation from this is not recommended.

No comment.

We would like to see the Diploma (AQF 5) as the minimum level and preferably a post-graduate course for Access Consultants.

Access Consultants do not work in building design practices and the requirement to have 3 years supervision by a building designer is not appropriate as currently most Access Consultants would work with other Access Consultants or in building surveying/certifier companies. Currently the industry is not structured to achieve this direct supervision requirement.

The requirement for experience under a building design would also not equip access consultants for their role. Currently following completion of the Access Consulting Cert 4 and Diploma course to gain Accreditation status with the Association of Consultants in Access Australia (ACAA) a new consultant must gain experience but working under the supervision of an accredited access consultant. This the best way to enhance the practice of Access Consultants.