Countdown to 2025: professional engineers registration scheme to open for applications

2024-02-29

Today the ACT Government has announced the first phase of a new registration scheme which will ensure engineers are qualified to complete construction work. 

Minister for Sustainable Building and Construction Rebecca Vassarotti said the Scheme will open for registration on 6 March 2024, with registration mandatory by the end of 2025. 

“This new mandatory registration scheme will monitor and enforce quality in the engineering profession, giving Canberrans confidence how their homes are being built,” Minister Vassarotti said. 

“We’re cracking on with completing a suite of building reforms in the ACT, and engineers registration is just one step in a whole new system we are putting in place to better protect Canberrans. 

“The phased approach allows professional engineers time to get their applications ready and will provide a more manageable and responsive scheme. 

“The ACT Government will work closely with industry, including engineering peak bodies and other representative organisations to ensure that engineers are advised in a timely manner of when they can apply for registration.” 

“This approach provides industry with a fair transition to the requirements of the scheme before compliance and enforcement activity starts while also delivering important consumer protection reforms in a timely manner.” 

The first phase will open on 6 March 2024 for those providing professional engineering services in the civil and structural areas of engineering. 

The second phase is planned to open in July 2024 for those providing professional engineering services in the mechanical area of engineering. 

The third phase is planned to open in late 2024 for those providing professional engineering services in the electrical and fire safety areas of engineering. 

If you are providing professional engineering services across multiple areas of engineering, you can apply for registration across each area at the same time as soon as the first area you require registration in opens. 

From 6 March 2025, all professional engineers will be required to be registered and the offence provisions in the Professional Engineers Act 2023 (the Act) will commence. 

For more information about the Professional Engineers Registration Scheme, visit the ACT Planning website