Education Legislation Updates News

Industry collaborates to strengthen fire safety

A new course has become available for HVAC&R technicians who are maintaining or signing off mechanical services for Annual Fire Safety Statements (AFSS). The course has been approved by the NSW Department of Customer Service under the Fire Protection Accreditation Scheme (FPAS). It will allow Certificate III-qualified professionals to conduct annual certification of essential fire […]

Legislation Updates

ACT confirms start date for professional registration

The ACT government has confirmed that its scheme for professional registration of engineers will begin on March 6, 2024. The scheme is underpinned by the Professional Engineers Act 2023, passed in March this year. There will be a phased approach for different areas of engineering: civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, and fire safety. The government says […]

Legislation Updates News

Europe forges ahead with HFC phase-out plan

The European Parliament and Council has taken the next – and what appears to be decisive – step towards a new and ambitious phase-out schedule for HFC refrigerants. The deal includes specific phase-out dates for the use of fluorinated gases in sectors where it is “technologically and economically feasible to switch to alternatives”. This includes […]

Legislation Updates News Public Comment

States move ahead on road to registration

It may have taken some time since the recommendations originally appeared at the top of the priority list in the 2018 Building Confidence report, but professional registration schemes are now spreading quickly across the country, and establishing new rules to lift standards in Australia’s building and construction industry. Practice Standard in New South Wales This […]

Legislation Updates News

Queensland NCC stance highlights ‘patchwork’ problem

Queensland has confirmed that it will maintain the original timetable for adopting improved energy efficiency, condensation management and livable housing provisions in NCC 2022. Although industry stakeholders have applauded the decision, they have also raised concerns about delays in other jurisdictions, and the inconsistent implementation of what is intended to be a national code to […]

Legislation Updates News

Net zero plan for Australia’s built environment

The federal government has confirmed that it will develop decarbonisation plans for different sectors – including a specific plan for the built environment. In its issues paper on setting, tracking and achieving Australia’s emissions reduction targets, the Climate Change Authority proposed focusing on sectors as set out in Australia’s National Greenhouse Gas Inventory: electricity, stationary […]