Public consultation on CPD requirements for Victorian building practitioners and plumbers

26 February 2024

We are calling for expressions of interest to participate in an AMCA working group on CPD.

The Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) is developing a framework that will require all registered building practitioners and licensed and registered plumbers to meet Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements.
 
Having made a detailed submission in 2020, we are pleased to see the government finally release its proposed model.
 
The framework will seek to enhance confidence in the community that all practitioners are competent in their building and plumbing work by ensuring they maintain and develop their professional knowledge and skills.
 
Regulatory Impact Statement
 
DTP has prepared a Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) and proposed Regulations to seek your views on implementation of a mandatory CPD framework in Victoria.
 
The RIS presents the costs and benefits of options to introduce mandatory CPD, which has incorporated feedback received on the 2020 Consultation Paper and stakeholder consultation workshops conducted throughout 2021.
 
The RIS outlines three broad options for introducing a CPD framework in Victoria, (ranging from a government-directed approach, practitioner-led approach, and a combination approach mixing mandatory and self-directed learning with options to follow an individual learning pathway or sign up to an approved industry program).

AMCA Australia's position

In our view, the introduction of CPD will help drive professionalism and standards across the industry, while fostering a culture of life-long learning and continuous improvement.

However, the scheme must provide flexibility for the practitioner and their employer to make decisions based on their particular needs and areas of operation.

We will also be encouraging government to consider non-regulatory measures to help build the capacity of industry to establish education and career pathways that map the immediate needs of employers with the long-term career goals of practitioners.

Have your say

AMCA Australia will be making a formal response. We encourage you to provide your feedback on the proposed CPD requirements to ensure our submission represents the needs of a wide range of AMCA members.
 
We are also setting up an AMCA CPD working group to ensure we provide a detailed response - please email Ben Hawkins if you are interested in participating.
 
Feedback on the RIS and accompanying regulations can be made direct to DTP by:
 
Continuing Professional Development Team, Planning and Building Reform Division
Department of Transport and Planning
8 Nicholson St - PO Box 500 East Melbourne VIC 8002
Next steps
 
Consultation on the RIS and accompanying regulations open on 26 February and close on 26 April 2024 at 5pm.
 
This consultation will be the final opportunity for stakeholders and members of the public to comment on the proposed Regulations before they are finalised. Timing for the commencement of CPD requirements will be informed by stakeholder feedback, noting they will not commence until at least 6 months after the regulations are made, to ensure industry has enough time to prepare. Further information about how CPD will be operationalised will be shared prior to requirements commencing.
 
For more information about the Continuing Professional Development project, please visit the Engage Victoria website.
 
We will keep members informed once DTP provide further details of the CPD consultation period, including information sessions.
 
-Ben
 
Ben Hawkins

Executive Manager, AMCA Australia

Got a question? Contact AMCA on 1300 475 615 or membership@amca.com.au.