Are You Registration Ready?



Professional Engineers Registration Bill 2019 

The Victorian Government has now passed legislation requiring any person in certain areas (see below) conducting an engineering service in Victoria to be registered as a professional engineer, as is already the case in Queensland. This is a historic moment for the engineering profession in Victoria, and finally provides recognition of the vital role that engineers play in building our world and protecting our communities.

Registration will commence from 1 July 2021.

The Victorian Engineers Registration Scheme is a co-regulatory model where an assessment is done by a professional engineering body and then the engineer registers with the Business Licencing Authority. The assessment entities will assess an engineers’ professional eligibility inclusive of education, work experience and continuing professional development.

The Registered Professional Engineer of Professionals Australia (RPEng) title is a public demonstration that an engineer is qualified, competent and ethical – that you’re actually a professional engineer. Up to 28,000 Engineers will need to register.

 

It is expected that RPEng will be a pathway to registration in Victoria (as it currently is in QLD).

APEA with RPEng is an assessment entity in Queensland and intends to be in Victoria.

To be registered with RPEng, an engineer needs:

  • A 4-year bachelor’s degree or Master of Engineering (or recognised equivalent),
  • A minimum of 5-years’ experience as an engineer,
  • Three referees
  • 150 hours of Continual Professional Development over the past three years.
  • Commitment to and understanding of a Code of Ethics.

APPLY FOR RPENG


We get a lot of questions about Victorian Engineering Registration, we have answered commonly asked questions in the drop downs below.

If you can’t see your question here, please don’t hesitate to contact the team on 1300 273 762 or at rpeng@professionalsaustralia.org.au

FAQs

What do I need to do if I have a Bachelor of Technology Engineering?

You would either need to complete a Master of Engineering that is under the Washington Accord or complete a Stage One Competency Assessment in the Professional Engineer category.
What do I need to do if my engineering degree is not under the Washington Accord?

You would need to complete a Stage One Competency Assessment in the Professional Engineer category.
Should I apply for RPEng if my area of practice is not listed in Victoria?

Yes, having RPEng is your key to letting others know that you are a Registered Professional Engineer of Professionals Australia. It also let’s others know that you have the qualifications and experience that is required to carry out the engineering work that is required.
What should I do if I don’t have three referees?

You can use clients as referees as well, if they meet the eligibility requirements.
What does direct supervision mean?

An engineer is working under direct supervision when a qualified and experienced registered professional engineer must review or sign off their work to ensure it is of an appropriate standard. These arrangements have worked successfully in Queensland for many years. Practice notes are issued by the Board of Professional Engineers Queensland (BPEQ) to guide professional engineers in complying with, and understanding the requirements of, the Professional Engineers Act 2002 (QLD) and the Code of Practice. According to the Queensland practice note, depending on the nature of the service being supervised, direct contact need not be in person, but may be through written correspondence (letters, photos, drawings, or emails), telephone, or voice or video chat. It is expected Consumer Affairs Victoria will publish similar practice notes in due course.
What does Professional Engineering Services mean?

Any individual who provides ‘professional engineering services’ is to be registered.

Consistent with Queensland’s legislation, ‘professional engineering service’ is defined to mean an engineering service that requires, or is based on, the application of engineering principles and data:

  • (a) to a design relating to engineering; or
  • (b) to a construction, production, operation or maintenance activity relating to engineering;

other than an engineering service that is provided only in accordance with a prescriptive standard. A prescriptive standard is a document which contains procedures or criteria for engineering services which do not require scientifically based calculations.
Would I need to have engineering registration if I live outside of Victoria?

Interstate and international engineers who provide professional engineering services for Victoria will be required to be registered.
If I have RPEng so I still need to be registered with the Victorian Government?

Yes, if you are providing professional engineering services within the state of Victoria.
Who will require registration in Victoria?

The areas of engineering affected by the legislation are:
Civil
Structural 
Mechanical
Electrical
Fire Safety