Regulatory requirements for specialised cabling

As many of you would be aware, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has amended the regulatory requirements for cabling providers who install specialised cabling within customer premises. Registered cablers who intend carrying out specialised cabling after 1 July 2014 are reminded that the ACMA’s rule changes for specialised (such as structured, coaxial and optical fibre) cabling come into force on that date.

Cablers undertaking structured, coaxial, optical fibre or broadband cabling must by then have the training competencies relevant to this specialised cabling work. The new competencies only apply to cabling providers who undertake the relevant specialised cabling work within customer premises. 30 June 2014 is the final date on which cablers may undertake the full range of cabling operations with a basic Open cabling registration.

The amendments to the ACMA cabling arrangements have been made to ensure cabling providers have the necessary skills required to perform specialised cabling work for the current and emerging customer cabling environment.

How the changes affect Open registered cablers

Registered cablers and all Open registered cablers doing these types of specialised/advanced cabling within customer premises must by 1 July 2014 have acquired the appropriate specialist competencies (also known as Endorsements).

Cablers who have already attained Endorsements for structured (previously Cat 5), coaxial and optical fibre cabling will not need to do further training in these specialisations as these endorsements are equivalent to the current competencies.

Restricted registered cablers

Also by 1 July 2014, all Restricted registered cablers intending to work on broadband installations must have acquired the relevant Restricted Broadband specialist competency. With the transition period for the ACMA’s changes (2012-2014) fast running out, ASIAL is witnessing growing numbers of registered cablers upgrading their qualifications in readiness, indicating a sharp spike in demand for training places in these courses with registered training organisations (RTOs).

ASIAL urges cablers to act now to avoid missing out and risking disruption to their legal scope of work.

Cablers seeking assistance in sourcing a reputable RTO are encouraged to contact ASIAL Cabling on 02 8425 4331 or cabling@asial.com.au. Alternatively, cablers can contact ACMA at comply.label@acma.gov.au.

Registered cablers - changing address? Notify your registrar

When your cabling registration is up for renewal, your registrar will send you a renewal notice. Notifying your registrar of any changes to your postal address will help ensure you receive the renewal notice, which will enable you to renew your registration on time. It is an offence under the Telecommunications Act 1997 to perform customer cabling work without a registration. Significant penalties may apply for performing customer cabling work without a current registration.

About Cabling Registrars: The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has charged industry associations such as ASIAL to administer compliance to its Cabler Provider Rules (CPR). The ACMA Cabler Provider Rules (CPR) registration system is separate to the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) requirements that apply to RTOs as training organisations. The ACMA sets out the regulatory requirements for registration and installation practices of cablers. 

www.asial.com.au