New requirement for electrical engineers working in Vic

Engineers Australia is reminding electrical and electronics engineers of an upcoming Victorian requirement that they must be registered in order to work in the state.

From 1 June 2023, professional electrical and electronics engineers practising in Victoria must be registered — this includes engineers living in other states and territories but working on projects in Victoria.

Engineers Australia is urging engineers to complete the first step of applying for a competency assessment by March 2023 at the latest.

To help electrical and electronics engineers get a better understanding of who needs to be registered and what they need to do, Engineers Australia is running a free information session specifically on Victorian registration, on 1 March.

The session will provide information about registration requirements and competency assessments. Attendees will also be able to ask Engineers Australia’s team of experts any questions about the assessment and registration process.

Engineers Australia Chief Engineer Jane MacMaster said the compulsory registration of professional engineers will enable significant enhancement of public safety and consumer confidence.

“Registration helps to ensure that only those with suitable qualifications, enough relevant experience and a proven commitment to ongoing training and professional development can provide engineering services,” she said.

Registration of engineers in Victoria is carried out by the Business Licensing Authority (BLA); however, an applicant must first be assessed by an approved entity, of which Engineers Australia is one.

The assessment process has two components:

• An ‘Entry to Practice’ assessment to determine the adequacy or otherwise of the applicant’s qualifications.
• An ‘Independent Practice’ assessment to determine the acceptability or otherwise of the applicant’s experience and competency.
   

Engineers Australia is advising engineers to start the registration process at least three months prior to the date by which they are required to be registered. This will help to ensure engineers can continue to provide professional engineering services in Victoria. It will allow six to eight weeks to gain an assessment from Engineers Australia and 28 days for the Business Licensing Authority (BLA) to process the application (as recommended by BLA).

For further information, visit: https://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/get-assessed-victoria.

Image credit: iStock.com/Drazen_