Discussion paper: National Registration Framework for Building Practitioners

Of all of the roles defined it does not adequately capture what is known as an RICS Building Surveyor/Chartered Surveyor (Building Surveying). A role which has operated under the regional term 'Building Consultant' for over 20 years. Suggest the the role 'Building Consultant' is defined andthat the recognised qualifications, as assessed by RICS, include RICS chartered surveyor (building surveying), and applicable international building surveying degrees. Work in this manner should not be restricted by building class or archetype given adequate qualification. Work undertaken by this role shares elements of other defined roles (Building Surveyor and Project Manager), as well as undertaking unique functions suited to a 'Building Consultant's core skillset: "building surveying assessment work means forming an opinion", highly relevant in the preparation of technical due diligence advice where certification or approvals are not applicable. This statement also applies to other areas of a building consultant's work, including landlord and tenant matters (make good), and preparing schedules of condition or dilapidation for a variety business driven record keeping and reference purposes.

Even after implementation, there will very likely remain elements of confusion and misunderstanding in defined roles and terminology for those that are not proactive in their continual professional development or are simply not abreast of industry developments and changes. There must be an ongoing campaign and education piece to mitigate ongoing confusion of terminology, and to promote the understanding of terms and anything new introduced.
Where applicable, consideration must also be given to potential one off additional training requirements relating to foundational understanding of the NCC to support and ratify any international professional qualifications or degrees.

No comment

Building Surveying inadequately defines a further role in the industry often confused with building surveying. The introduction of the term "building consultant" captures an area of the industry inadequately represented, and left undefined by the report. The closest lies on P143, within the proposed definition of Building Surveyor:

"Statutory building surveying assessment work means forming an opinion or giving a certificate that a building meets the requirements of the NCC and other relevant state or territory legislation, where building approval legislation requires a registered building surveyor to form an opinion or give a certificate as a condition of granting a building approval."

RICS Building Surveyors, or 'building consultant' as is the term used by practitioners in corporate real estate in Australia today, is adequately qualified to undertake this in part: "building surveying assessment work means forming an opinion", highly relevant in the preparation of technical due diligence advice where certification or approvals are not applicable.

Technical due diligence of commercial real estate, or same for Completed Residential Pre Purchase inspection, is not captured.
Landlord and tenant matters and make good assessment is not captured.
Schedules of condition, schedules of dilapidation, lifecycle and maintenance forecast reporting are not captured, all scopes of work which utilise a building consultant's core skill set in building pathology, and inspection and reporting methodology.

BSc (Hons) Building Surveying (international)
RICS membership as a chartered surveyor (building surveying)

Should be available at entry provided exhibition of above qualifications. I.E. to become a chartered surveyor with RICS already requires a minimum experience period to attain.

No.

No comment.

Chartered surveyors generally, and/or building surveyors, in their accredited degree, and as optional competencies, include a foundation in project management – these qualifications should be included further to the project management definition, to be appropriately assessed on a case by case basis by RICS.
BSc (Hons) Building Surveying (international)
RICS membership as a chartered surveyor (building surveying)

Should be available at entry provided exhibition of above qualifications. I.E. to become a chartered surveyor with RICS already requires a minimum experience period to attain, which can include experience as a project manager.

No.

Above all, the conflict in the term 'building surveyor' between AIBS and RICS needs to be overcome, which I propose can be achieved by formally adopting the region specific title of “building consultant”. It is professional, respectful and more appropriate, acknowledging that it is the regional title for RICS building surveyors, as well as the history behind it: an organic industry response to adapt and establish within a foreign marketplace over a period of 20+ years. This approach still achieves the aim of dispelling existing confusion among the terms, as well as distinguishing it from 'building inspectors'; typically ex-builders or ex-tradesmen who lack the professional training, experience, communication/reporting skills and tact of a consultant. And if nothing else, this should be the first step before reviewing any retitling of roles in the future.