The NSW Government has released a new practice standard for professional engineers which sets out mandatory minimum work and behavioural standards for NSW engineers. Failure to comply with the practice standard will have significant consequences for NSW engineers including fines and possible suspension or cancellation of registration.
The standard will apply to all professional engineers registered under the Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020 and will be introduced 1 September 2024.
Engineers Australia’s feedback – we are disappointed our concerns were not actioned
Engineers Australia continues to support the NSW Government’s efforts to improve building outcomes in NSW, including addressing issues that will continue to uphold and improve the standards of the engineering profession.
However, Engineers Australia advised the NSW Government repeatedly on the proposed Practice Standard, including through this member backed submission, their approach to the registration of professional engineers and corresponding standard is based too narrowly on building consulting work and does not distinguish between the roles of individual engineers and the businesses that employ them.
We advised the NSW Building Commission the practice standard places unrealistic obligations on individual employee engineers, so we are disappointed to see the feedback was not fully implemented.
Key features of the standard include:
- introducing a requirement that designs must be fit for purpose
- requiring on-site inspections during the construction phase of a project
- introducing new requirements regarding independent third-party reviews
- reinforcing the importance of the existing Code of Practice for professional engineers
- providing clarity regarding supervision requirements
- introducing specific obligations for certain classes of Professional Engineers and certain professional engineering work.
Engineers Australia advocates to the NSW Government for clear requirements to reflect the practice and responsibilities of individual engineers, especially in regard to their employers, to ensure NSW remains an attractive place to do professional engineering work in the building industry.
If you have questions or concerns about the requirements outlined in the standard, we ask that you respond directly to the NSW Government. We will continue our advocacy on this issue and encourage our members to make your voice heard.
In the interim - Building Commission NSW inspectors will use the new practice standard for audits of professional engineering work before it becomes mandatory. This is designed to support industry to adapt to new requirements.