The Australian Institute of Building Surveyors (AIBS) has responded to the NSW Parliament’s Review into the Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020 and the Residential Apartment Buildings (Compliance and Enforcement Powers) Act 2020, warning that one key recommendation risks weakening professional standards and undermining consumer protection.
The Technical & Policy Manager at AIBS Jeremy Turner stated that the Institute welcomed many of the report’s findings and recommendations, including calls for nationally consistent registration, and stronger consumer protection as a core objective of future legislation.
However, he also stated that Recommendation 1, which proposes allowing non-tertiary pathways to registration for ‘relevant practitioners’, is deeply concerning if applied to building surveyors (certifiers).
“Building surveyors play a critical safety role in the construction process. Any move to dilute the qualification and competency requirements for this profession would be a retrograde step.
“Experience alone cannot substitute for accredited education and rigorous professional assessment. A weakened pathway would risk poorer decision-making, increase safety issues in the built environment, and ultimately jeopardise consumer outcomes.
“If these weakened pathways were adopted across multiple professions, it would diminish capability across the sector, not enhance it. This reform would lower the bar at the very moment NSW is working hard to rebuild trust in construction.”
Jeremy Turner, Technical & Policy Manager, AIBS
AIBS strongly supports Recommendation 3, which calls for a nationally consistent registration framework that upholds, rather than compromises, NSW’s standards. The Institute has long advocated for harmonisation that maintains high competency thresholds.
The Institute also welcomes Recommendation 6’s acknowledgement of opportunities for government to work more closely with industry bodies and explore recognition of accreditation as a pathway to registration.
“AIBS already administers a robust, competency-based accreditation scheme. Aligning statutory registration with this could create efficiency, improve consistency, and maintain strong standards.”
Jeremy Turner, Technical & Policy Manager, AIBS
AIBS notes the Committee’s finding that the Government’s consultation process for the draft consolidated building bills has lacked transparency. The Institute reiterates its call for the draft bills to be released to all stakeholders so the profession can fully assess their implications.
“Given the scale of reform underway, NSW cannot afford confusion or piecemeal decision-making. The sector needs clear, timely detail to ensure the reforms strengthen (not undermine) the safety and quality of buildings across the state.”
Jeremy Turner, Technical & Policy Manager, AIBS
AIBS declared that it will continue to advocate for reforms that protect consumers, support a highly competent workforce, and preserve the integrity of the building surveying profession.
