Disclosure Statements
Disclosure Statements
To ensure that consumers are aware of the practitioner's participation in a professional standards scheme the legislation requires scheme members to disclose that fact on business documentation.
In accordance with the Professional Standards Council's Policy Statement on Disclosure of Limited Liability, ‘a disclosure statement is to appear on all documents given by the person to whom a scheme applies to a client or prospective client that promote or advertise the person or person's occupation, including official correspondence ordinarily used by the person in the performance of the person's occupation'.
Therefore, all members of the scheme are required to display this statement: ‘Liability Limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation'.
The disclosure statement must be:
- displayed on all stationery and business documentation
- printed in a size not less than the face measurement of Times New Roman typeface in 8 point.
As a minimum, the disclosure statement should appear on:
- documents with a letterhead and business correspondence generally
- fax cover sheets
- written advice, plans, drawings, specifications and other documents produced by the service provider for clients, especially where those documents are not accompanied by a letter or other document on which a disclosure statement appears
- newsletters and other publications
- memorandums of fees and invoices, especially where those documents are not accompanied by a letter or other document on which a disclosure statement appears
- websites that promote or advertise the person or the person's occupation.
Business cards are specifically exempted from carrying the disclosure statement.
Failure to meet the requirements for providing notification of limitation of liability is an offence and carries a penalty. In the event of a claim, a member may lose the limitation that would otherwise be provided.
Members of the Engineers Australia scheme may also choose to use the Cover of ExcellenceTM logo. For further information, visit the Professional Standards Council website and view its Policy Statement on Disclosure of Limited Liability.
Copies of the ‘Professionals who care' brochure, which provides consumers with information about professional standards schemes and what it means to engage someone who displays the Cover of ExcellenceTM logo, may also be ordered through the Professional Standards Council.
