Evidence of experience for building surveyor registration

Closed 19 Jul 2021

Opened 24 May 2021

Feedback updated 14 Dec 2021

We asked

We asked for your input to a model guide on experience needed for building surveyor registration. The guide aims to help people obtain and prove they have experience of sufficient depth and breadth to be registered as a building surveyor. There is also a section for supervisors.

You said

You provided many good suggestions to improve the model guide. Views varied on how may experience reports were sufficient to prove experience, with suggestions ranging from none to around 50. Almost all submissions advised that a minimum number of work examples should not be required.  

We did

The BCR Implementation Team used your feedback to inform a model guide on Evidence of experience for building surveyor registration. The model guide was endorsed by Building Ministers for state and territory consideration and implementation. 

Published responses

View submitted responses where consent has been given to publish the response.

Overview

In 2017, Building Ministers commissioned an independent expert examination of systemic problems affecting compliance with the National Construction Code (NCC). The resulting Building Confidence Report (BCR) made 24 recommendations for a best practice model for compliance and enforcement, to strengthen effective application of the NCC.

Recommendation 4 of the BCR recommended action on career pathways for building surveyors. The BCR noted that the role of building surveyors is critical to the building approvals process and suggested that there may be an inadequate supply to meet future needs. It also called for supervision of trainees to be pragmatic so their engagement is commercially viable.

The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) agreed to progress a response to this recommendation by developing guidance on building surveyor career pathways, obtaining and recording evidence of experience for registration, as well as balancing supervision and independent work. The ABCB noted the guidance may be used as the basis for future training schemes.

The ABCB has released a draft Guide on evidence of experience for building surveyor registration. This is accompanied by a discussion paper seeking feedback on how the guide can be improved, to ensure that each element of the proposed guide is clear and practical.

You can access the discussion paper below or download a copy at the bottom of this page.

Your browser does not support inline PDF viewing.Please download the PDF.

Why your views matter

The discussion paper explores a number of areas where additional guidance was identified as likely to assist prospective building surveyors and their supervisors. The discussion paper seeks your views on each element, and feedback received via the consultation survey will be used to shape the final model guide.

Providing comment

Comments are invited until 11:59 PM AEST Monday 19 July 2021. Only comments submitted using the online form will be considered.

A preview of the consultation form is provided below.

What happens next

The BCR Implementation Team appreciates your feedback. 

Following your feedback to the discussion paper, model guidance will be developed and provided to the Australian Building Codes Board for its consideration in late 2021.

Audiences

  • Building: Commercial and Residential
  • Building: Commercial
  • Building: Residential
  • Building Certification/ Surveying
  • Government
  • General Public

Interests

  • Building services
  • Building services
  • Building services