About Engineering Registration in Australia
In Australia, Engineering Registration is being implemented across Australia. Each state and territory is responsible for registration of engineers.
Engineering Registration is important because it ensures engineers meet benchmarked education, training, professional conduct and competency standards. These standards help general public and industry feel confident in the abilities of engineers. They also ensure there’s a legislative framework in place to protect against poor practice.
National Summary:
Queensland: engineering registration has been in place since 1929, across all industry sectors.
Victoria: engineering registration has been in place since 2021 across all sectors relating specifically to five Areas of engineering.
New South Wales: has also had an engineer registration in place since 2021, which currently covers class 2, class 3 and class 9C buildings in the building sector only and covers six areas of engineering.
Northern Territory: also has engineering registration in place, but limited to Hydraulic, Mechanical and structural Certifying Engineers in the building industry.
Western Australia: Since 1st July 2024 WA implemented a registration scheme for the building sector. Unlike other states, they are registering all 3 occupational categories of Professional Engineer, Engineering Technologist and Engineering Associate. Initially it will apply only to those working in the building sector across four areas of practice. In another notable difference to other States, WA also includes registration for Building Engineering Contractors (companies) involved in the building sector.
ACT: engineering registration commenced on 6th March 2024 and covers five areas of engineering across all industry sectors.
Tasmania: has a limited licensing scheme requiring civil, building services and fire safety engineers to be licenced.
South Australia: The South Australian Government is currently drafting legislation for a Professional Engineers Registration Scheme. The scheme will initially cover structural and fire safety engineers working on medium, high and very high complexity buildings as specified in the National Construction Code.
If you'd like to find out more information on state requirements for registration, we'd suggest using this link for more information.
https://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/credentials/registration/state-registration