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A proposed mandatory registration scheme for professional engineers in South Australia is proceeding with phase one.

The decision by the Government of South Australia follows consideration of all feedback from industry, consumers and engineers, including comments about the scope of the proposed scheme.

Phase one will require registration for structural and fire safety engineers working on buildings that meet the Medium, High and Very High Building Complexity criteria specified in the National Construction Code.

The Professional Engineers Registration scheme will be designed to expand registration to other industries and areas of engineering, as initially proposed, where such expansion is supported by evidence.

The phase one scope intends to address key recommendations in the Building Confidence: Improving the effectiveness of compliance and enforcement systems for the building and construction industry across Australia report by Professor Peter Shergold AC and Ms Bronwyn Weir. The scope will capture fire safety and structural engineering work on multi-storey apartment buildings and buildings occupied by large numbers of vulnerable persons.

Legislation is being developed for the scheme, with a draft bill to be circulated for targeted consultation in 2024.

Initial consultation throughout August and September 2023 sought input for the scheme's establishment, proposing to initially limit registration to the building and construction industry.

Key elements of the proposed scheme include:

  • Defining professional engineers' services and registration categories
  • Eligibility criteria for registration and renewal, including qualifications and minimum experience
  • Ongoing obligations to retain registration, including continued professional development and compliance with a code of conduct
  • Regulatory oversight by the Commissioner, with an online public register and the capacity to investigate complaints and take appropriate disciplinary action.

Decisions to refuse registration will be appealable to the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (SACAT).