Engineers can apply for registration in the Australian Capital Territory from 6 March. 

The ACT’s Professional Engineers Registration Scheme will apply to individuals providing professional engineering services in the ACT or for those working on projects for the ACT. 

The first phase of registration 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 professional mechanical engineers. 

Registration for electrical and fire safety engineers will open in November 2024. 

From 6 March 2025, all professional engineers will be required to be registered and will be subject to compliance and enforcement activity.   

Engineers Australia welcomed the announcement from Minister Vassarotti MLA in relation to the registration of professional engineers in the ACT. 

Once an engineer has been granted registration they will remain registered for three years even if they change jobs. Fees are yet to be determined. 

A public register will be established for registered professional engineers, and it will feature the name and registration details for each engineer, unless personal safety or national security grounds exist. 

Engineers Australia has been approved as an assessment entity in the ACT to provide eligibility assessments on behalf of the ACT Government. 

Compulsory registration for anyone providing professional engineering services enables significant enhancement of public safety and consumer protection. More broadly, there are six key benefits of a registration system for engineers. 

1. Reducing risks to public health, safety and welfare through strengthening confidence in the competency of the people who deliver professional engineering services. 
2. Economic benefits from reduced cost of re-work and improved system performance. 
3. Improved industry and consumer information about who is competent to deliver professional engineering services. 
4. Professional recognition for registered engineers. 
5. Enhanced national and international mobility and trade in engineering service. 
6. Legislative efficiency enabling regulators to more effectively develop, implement and improve consistent regulatory frameworks for the delivery of engineering services consistently in a timely manner. 

You can find out more about the ACT’s Professional Engineers Registration Scheme on the government website.