Evidence of experience for building surveyor registration

In addition to the National Framework (NRF) reference to National Consistency with Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) and using the national Building Professional Register (NBPR).

Pathway is clear

Registration and qualification across states needs to be consistent and be accepted if moving between states. All potential registered persons needs to be on a National Building Professional Register (as Level 1 or Level 2), to allow interstate transfers to be clear and transparent. All states need to use a National Building Professional Register (NBPR), as an minimum entry point for registration, similar to the Engineers with the NER, for registration across jurisdictions. Currently, there is a NBPR is operation under a Royal Charter which ASQA (Commonwealth) use for the teaching requirements of lecturers in Building Surveying. Concerns surrounding industry based organisations such as AIBS or RICS, which has the potential of bias and previous governance issues.
The need for state based licensing is still required, however ones registration in another state will still require licensing in the gaining state, subject to insurances or alike. Similar to National Heavy Vehicle licenses and driver license when transfer between states (ie, Green P’s, Red P’s, auto only, Must wear glasses, etc).

Refer to below Section 5.

With a shortage of Building Surveyors nationally, one consideration to make the profession more attractive is to apply several processes, including increasing regulatory audits on practitioners by State bodies, which is at best very poor by State regulators. Secondly, is using endorsements on licenses, similar driving licenses.
The introduction of License Classes with Endorsements would make the profession more attractive and place greater rigour in the licensing process, together with a National Building Professional Register (NBPR).
Let's start with the basic Building Surveyors License, which only allows DTS provisions when issuing approvals.
Level 1 – Unlimited Open License (class 2-9)
Qualifications: Building Surveying
Minimum of AQF Level 8 under the Australian Qualification Framework, with 18 mths experience (can be while studying). As it is assumed, you need an AQF Level 7 or 6 for entry into AQF Level 8.
Level 2 – restricted to buildings up to 25m (following the NCC provisions) –( Class 2-9)
Qualifications: Building Surveying
Minimum of AQF Level 7, under the Australian Qualification Framework, with 2 years experience; or Minimum AQF Level 6, under the National Qualification Framework, with 3 years experience.
Level 3 – Class 1 and 10 only
Qualifications: Building Surveying
Minimum of AQF Level 6 under the National Qualification Framework, with 18mths experience.
Note: If you wish to practise in both Building Classifications 1,10 and 2-9 you need two (2) licenses (as per above).
Existing Licensed Building Surveyors.
All Building Surveyors will need to transfer across to the proposal. While this will not please all Building Surveyors, it provides consumer protection and increases the skill sets of Building Surveyors.
All existing Building Surveyors would transfer across to a DTS license, and subject to endorsement qualification/s, the Building Surveyor current holds these endorsement/s would be included on their license.
Building Surveyor without any endorsement qualification/s would have a grandfather period of 2 to 3 years to obtain the Endorsement qualification/s (call it “provisional’). After this period, they would revert back to a DTS license.
Now let's look at Endorsements, which is a requirement for Building Surveyors to have if a Building permit involves a performance solution.
1. Fire Performance Solutions
Level 1 – Unlimited Open License (class 2-9) – Must have a Graduate Diploma in Fire Engineering or equivalent
Level 2- restricted to buildings up to 25m (following the NCC provisions) –( Class 2-9) Must have a Graduate Certificate in Fire Engineering or equivalent
Level 3- Class 1 and 10 only. Must have Post Graduate qualifications in Building Surveying at AQF level 8.
Note: It is considered should Fire Engineering be studied to allow the assessment of buildings with Fire Performance, this will take an additional 12mths for Graduate Certificate or 2 years for the Graduate Diploma. This takes the experience for Open License to 5.5 to 6.5 years.
2. Bushfire Performance Solutions
Level 1 – Unlimited Open License (class 2-9) – Must have a Graduate Diploma in Bushfire Protection or Graduate Diploma in Bushfire Planning and Management
Level 2- restricted to buildings up to 25m (following the NCC provisions) –( Class 2-9) Must have a Graduate Certificate in Bushfire Protection or Graduate Certificate in Bushfire Planning and Management
Level 3- Class 1 and 10 only. Must have completed the Bushfire Attack Level course by FPA and have Post Graduate qualifications in Building Surveying at AQF level 8.
Note: Bushfire Consultants should be registered and be on the National Building Professional Register (NBPR) and be licensed.
3. DDA Performance Solutions
Level 1 – Unlimited Open License (class 2-9) – Must have a Diploma of Access Consulting
Level 2- restricted to buildings up to 25m (following the NCC provisions) –( Class 2-9) Must have a Certificate IV in Access Consulting
Level 3- Class 1b. Must have Post Graduate qualifications in Building Surveying at AQF level 8.
Note: Access Consultants should be registered and be on the National Building Professional Register (NBPR) and licensed.
4. Planning Schemes
All Levels (Levels 1 to 3) – If a proposed permit is not part of the existing Town Planning Permit Building Surveyors will need to undertake a Planning Short Course (Issuing Development Permits for Building Work) or have full membership to the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) as a Town Planner or must obtain a Statement from the local Council of compliance.
This demonstrates that the Building Surveyor understands Planning Controls and how they apply to Zones and understand overlays provisions.
5. Issuing Permits
Based on the QLD model, Building Surveyors can be licensed/registered without holding PI Insurance, and this is noted on the license. However, should they require to issue Permits, they will need to hold and maintain a current PI Insurance Policy based on State insurance cover requirements to protect consumers (ie. $1m).

There should not be a class for Building Inspectors in any model.

As Town Planning plays a major impact on development, it is considered the QLD model addresses the understanding of Planning Schemes and Town Planning Permits. Building Surveyors need to demonstrate knowledge of Planning Schemes and Development Applications. This can be address via a Planning Short course which QLD utilises or Building Surveyor must demonstrate Planning knowledge through the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) by having Full Membership (MPIA).

Demonstrates a Clear process

Yes, Log is required together with supporting documentation. However, this raises privacy and legal concerns of holding documents including enforcements Notices etc.

Yes, However the question is what is enough. Each individual has different levels of asborbion. At starting point point and licensing at each level applying for;
5 x Class 1
3 x Class 2-8
2 x Class 9
5 x Class 10
2 x Bushfire Approvals
1 x Demolisition
Government and Council Employees, do not need to demonstrate approval experience, this can be an Endorsement condition.

Template is clear and easy to complete by both candidate and supervisor.

Refer to Section 10

Template is clear and easy to complete by both candidate and supervisor.

Template is clear and easy to complete by both candidate and supervisor.

This become a concern, especially in small building surveying business or councils, where this is only 1 x registered building surveyor. Care needs to be applied in this area and further discussion on implementation.

Template addresses the minimum requirements

Agree, If one is licensed in another state acceptance to new state subject to insurance, Planning Courses and police checks etc.
The High Court has already made a ruling on Mutual recognition (refer to the ruling against VBA)

Supervisor role is clear.

Draft guide is clear

Yes, also refer to Section 15

Yes, Also refer to Section 15

Nil

Nil

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