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National Registration Framework - NRF For Building Surveying Submission
In reference to the discussion paper there are both positive and negatives in the proposal for Building Surveyors.
Working across 4 states as a Building Surveyor and as a lecturer in Building Surveying at University and VET there is so much confusion and un-parallels within states and the education requirements along with accreditation through non Charter Professional bodies.
The Shergold – Weir Report is comprehensive however, is limited and focused on a clear brief by the regulators. As a practitioner and educator there is a number of steps and focus the ACBC and Federal Government and the regulators could address and look to address the shortage of Building Surveyor through the education framework (AQF System) and functions of Building Surveyors in through a National Building register in-lieu of state based statute, as private certification is not working to address regional concerns and the training of cadets and individuals who have completed studies and or the advancement of Building Surveyors to higher levels (Level 1 – Un-limited.
Building Surveying Moving Forward Considerations
• The AQF Level 5 program needs to be re-introduced to enable Building Surveyor to enter the profession initially at the Class 1 and 10 to a floor area of 500m2 and Commercial 2-9 to a floor area of 300m2.
This approach enables building surveyors in rural and regional areas as part of the attraction and retention of local based individual, which covers over 50% permit issues in these areas. These individual must work for a LGA and cannot be a Private Building Surveyor. It is notes QLD and NSW did have practice as a Level 3 Building Surveyor but no longer exists to new individuals.
• The AQF Level 6 program, (Associate Degree or Advanced Diploma) should remain the same, as the there is a new version under development by RTO and Government VET institutions. The review of the height and floor area restrictions needs to be considered as to the same considerations as Commercial Builder Limited in Victoria CB-L -15m and no floor floor area restrictions. Currently Level 2 Surveyors issue permits involving performance solutions, sprinkler protected buildings, Boosters, ASE systems, Smoke detection, isolated and non-isolated exits. This approach also supports the rural and regional communities, as most building do not exceed 15m in height. I would take this a further step and say up to 25m, as this is where higher building surveying knowledge is required with stair pressurisation and the like. It is at this point there is no true difference of the requirements in a building whether a Level 2 or 1 currently.
• The AQF Level 7, (Degree), should remain the same. Level 1 Building Surveyor or Un-limited
• The AQF Level 8 programs, to be eligible and accepted in a Post Graduate qualification in Building Surveying (Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Masters Program) you must have a degree (AQF level 7) in Building Surveying or AQF level 6, plus demonstrated post qualification practical experience of several years.
o Any Post Graduate Building Surveying qualification (AQF 8 or 9, Graduate Certificate, Diploma or Masters), should be viewed as the same as a Degree in obtaining Level 1 or Un-Limited status, due to the strict entry requirements to be accepted in Post Graduate Studies.
o Most AQF Level 6 graduates enrol in the Post Graduate program, in lieu of the degree which has seen the Degree program enrolment reduce and some University doing teach out of the course.
Accreditation Bodies
Currently there are several bodies in Australia that offer accreditation for building surveyors been National building Professional Register (NBPR through AIB), Royal Institute of Surveyors (RICS) and Australian Institute of Building Surveyors.
The three bodies offer services to building surveyors, however the NBPR has an established register of Building Surveyors (Building Control) and other Building Professionals which is a National Register similar to the Engineers Australia with the National Engineering Register for all engineer category’s and equally similar the registration process by Australian Institute of Architects Institute through the Architects Registration Board (ARB) in each State.
The NBPR, also has is established under Royal Charter since 1969 and is governed by strict By-Laws and regulation under Royal Charter. The amendment of By-Laws and regulations must be approved by the Governor General of Australia, ensuring strict governance making it difficult to allow manipulation of assessment criteria to obtain NBPR Level 1 accreditation being under Royal Charter.
In addition, Australian Qualification Skills Authority (AQSA) which regulates training and education already prescribes that to lecturer and teach Building Surveying at AQF Level 6 and AQF Level 8 you must hold NBPR level 1 accreditation. This re-ensures industry and regulators that graduates are taught by registered and professional Building Surveyors at a Level 1 or Un-limited status under a Royal Charter Institutional body.
Like AIB, RICS is under Royal Charter, however a United Kingdom is based body. Several State’s such as QLD and SA use RICS as part of accreditation, which appear to be concerning, given that in Australia we already have a Royal Charter body that is recognised by the Federal Government for Training and delivery of Building Surveying courses by only NBPR Level 1 accreditation in Building Control. Australia has a Royal Charter body being AIB-NBPR this should be the governing body and regulators should use the NBPR for state based licensing.
AIBS, is a new kid on the block in relative terms and over it journey has had a number of scandals with the Building Professional and Allied Professional Board (BSAP), the alleged mates helping mates in the 90’s and early 2000. The membership number of AIBS appear over the years have dropped especially in Victoria.
Recommendations
1. Establish a AQF Level 5 qualification for registration for Classes 1 and 10 (500m2) and Commercial 2-9 (300m2)
2. AQF Level 6 qualification – increase Level 2 Building Surveyor functions to Less than 25m in height and no limit on floor area.
3. AQF Levels 8 and 9 qualifications in Building Surveying (graduate certificate, diploma and masters) – meets the educational requirements for registration for Level 1 or Un-Limited. For Universities to accepted individuals in a Post Graduate Studies in Building Surveying, you must hold an AQF 7 in Building Surveying or AQF 6 with several demonstrated years’ experience. The universities have been operating in this manner for decades, and have the expertise in this area. This allows level 2 Building Surveyor to progress to level 1. (Note: Most students in Post Graduate AQF Level 8 and 9, are from AQF Level 6 with industry experience or hold old qualifications in the 1980’s, due to the reluctances of universities offering degree programs via distance education (i.e. VU, Holmesglen, Bond etc.) and the learning material in the degree is beyond those enrolling.
4. The course for building surveying should be governed by the Australian Government – Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources and the current implementation through ABCB. Currently AIBS has far too much influence due to the accreditation program and transferring of monies from tertiary providers to approve courses in the AIBS accreditation scheme. The approved courses should be driven by the Federal Government.
5. We already a Australian National Building Professional Register (NBPR) operated by AIB under Royal Charter. Question: Why do we need to have anymore. Both AIBS and RICS can still be industry bodies/association similar to HIA and Master builders.
The NBPR framework is governed by Royal Charter standards and requires the Governor-General to amend By-Laws and regulations making it the strongest robust system compared to Industry Body Institutions (AIBS). In addition the NBPR also has other Building Professional within there accreditation system similar to Engineers Australia – NER where different classes of engineer are accredited.
6. To lecturer and teach Building Surveying at any level you must hold NBPR Level 1 accreditation which is ASQA current requirement (AQF Level 5 to 9).