1. Licensing of Building Industry Gérard Siero RAIA
Compulsory Licensing of Building Industry Personnel
Policy Statement for the RAIA WA Chapter
"The RAIA supports continuing improvement of the Building Industry by means of the compulsory Licensing of
all Building Industry participants."
Licensing
The RAIA is committed to the continual improvement of the Building Industry and the Built Environment it creates.
The qualifications, skills, experience and commitment of the people involved in the building industry are the primary determinants of the
quality of construction. Appropriate training, qualifications, skills and experience, properly assessed, form the basis for granting a person a
license to work in a particular capacity within the Building Industry.
Licensing is supported by codes of practice and behaviour, and continuing education to maintain and enhance relevant skills and
knowledge. Accreditation for a license is obtained by completing appropriate formal education, on-the-job training and experience, and
attaining assessed competence to the required level for the licensed role in the Building Industry.
Some Australian Building Industry participants are already licensed. (Eg. Architects, Builders, Plumbers and Electricians.) This policy
would see a tiered system of licensing extended to everyone involved in the Building Industry.
Implementation of Licensing could be achieved by a process like the following:
Implementation:
Introduction of licensing and required qualifications can be
staged over a 10 year period.
Government will work with BCITC, TAFEs, learned societies
(like RAIA, IEA, MBA), and trades groups (like Contracting
Carpenters Association, Master Plasterers’ Association, ITABs
(Industry Training Advisory Boards), etc.) to develop licensing
regulations for all Building Industry Personnel, and for each
area.
Introduction by 2008:
1. All Building Industry Personnel licensed.
• Those currently active in the industry can obtain an
interim license
• Industry personnel are assessed through Recognition of
Prior Learning process.
• Training will be available through “top-up” courses in
tertiary institutions and accredited Registered Training
Organisations (RTOs).
2. License Grades
Licenses will be issued according to the role of the person
within their branch of industry, and their assessed level of
competency:
• Professional (eg., Architect, Engineer)
• Contractor/Subcontractor/Business Owner
• Supervisor/Technician
• Tradesperson (Eg. TAFE Cert III)
• Apprentice
• Labourer
3. Establish Competency Assessments:
• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
• Tertiary Courses (RTO’s, TAFEs, Universities.)
+
• On-the job Training
• Top-up Courses
• Articles (eg., Architects, Engineers,)
• Apprenticeships
On completion of appropriate preparatory education,
training and experience, candidates are tested:
• Pre-Licensing Examinations (Eg. The Accreditation
examinations run nationally by AACA for Architects):
Those who have completed RPL and top-up courses will
be tested and issued with an Industry Qualification
Certificate to qualify them for a License at the
appropriate grade.
Licensed persons will participate in continuing education.
4. Establish Boards for each Building Industry Group:
Models include the Architects’ Board, Plumbers Licensing
Board, etc.
• Boards paid for by Annual Licensing fees
• Boards establish regulations including continuing
education requirements
• Boards establish requirements for qualifications and
experience, determine up assessment procedures
• Boards liaise with relevant Building Industry Associations
and ITABs on Education and Training, Top-up Training,
Recognition of Prior Learning, Continuing Education,
Recognition/Accreditation of Courses, etc.
• Establish codes of behaviour and disciplinary
procedures.
• Liaise with Standards Australia & BCITC towards
production of practice manuals to for each work area.
• BCITC could be peak body for ITABs and Building
Industry Group Trade Boards
2013
5. Full licensing of all Building Industry Personnel
• People who have recognised qualifications will be
eligible for a license
• Those who have passed their industry pre-licensing
examinations will be eligible for a license
• Apprentices enrolled in an approved course of study,
may work under the direction of a licensed person, to
levels defined in the license regulations of each trade
• On completion of on the job training and experience,
candidates may elect to sit for RPL followed by Pre-
Licensing Examinations.
6. Supervisors
• Additional qualifications in OH&S, higher level trade
certificate/diploma/degree, Industry experience, would
enable one to be licensed to act as a supervisor or leader
of a sub-contracting team
7. Subcontracting/Business owner Licensing
• Additional qualifications: Eg.: OH&S, Business
Management and Administration, Building Industry Law,
Law of Contracts and Torts, Finance and Accounts,
Business Planning, required to be licensed to own and
run a Building Industry subcontract business.
Job Security
Throughout the staging of Licensing, career paths will be
facilitated, with RPL assessment of practical knowledge and
skills, “top-up” training, courses and practicum experience, to
next level testing and accreditation.
Revised August 23 2006