Continuing Professional Development

AIRAH is recognised as a key provider of education and training to the HVAC&R industry. 

What is Continuing Professional Development?

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is the process by which a person maintains the quality and relevance of their skills throughout their working life. 

Key features of CPD are:

  • Continuous - operates throughout the practitioner’s working life
  • Focus - necessary for the execution of specialised technical duties and related to maintaining the quality and relevance of expert services
  • Broad based - development of knowledge, skills and personal qualities
  • Structured - systematic maintenance, improvement and broadening of the person’s skill base.

The AIRAH Code of Ethics recommends that members undertake CPD (see section 6 of the code of ethics – Professional Development). Although there is an obligation to participate in continuing professional development (CPD) as part of your AIRAH membership under the AIRAH Code of Ethics, there are other, more integral reasons to maintain your CPD:
  • It ensures you continually build the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in the competitive business environment
  • It assists you in achieving your development and career goals
  • It assists you to excel in your role, providing increased value to your organisation and your clients
  • It provides transferable skills for increased employability
  • It helps to build your reputation as a business leader.
When you renew your membership each year, you declare to comply with the AIRAH constitution, By-Laws and the AIRAH Code of Ethics obligations.
 

 

AIRAH Continuing Professional Development Activities

AIRAH recommends that members undertake 150 hours of CPD over a three year period, with a minimum of 30 hours in anyone year. AIRAH encourages all members to record their CPD activities. AIRAH recognises six major types of CPD.*

Formal professional development activities
Attendance at AIRAH education programs, short courses, on-the-job training, distance education and online courses. 

Conferences and meetings
Attendance at AIRAH conferences, technical tours, social events and division meetings. 

Leadership positions (service activities)
 Record service on AIRAH committees (Board, Associate Director, National Reference Group, Special Technical Groups, Division, Conference) or allied organisation leadership position service.

Speaking 
Record AIRAH or allied organisation activity. Document activity on behalf of the Institute or organisation or visiting lecturer at a college or university relevant to the HVAC&R industry. 

Writing 
Published by AIRAH or allied organisation in a print or electronic medium, including contributing to technical blogs and conversations on Facebook or LinkedIn. Self-published works do not qualify. 

Informal learning activities
Activities including reading of books, journals, technical manuals, etc and learning to use related computer software. All activities claimed must contribute to your development as an HVAC practitioner. 

Review the AIRAH CPD Activity Table listed below for the number of hours awarded for each activity and the maximum claimable hours within a calendar year.

If you believe you are undertaking other types of CPD not covered by the above categories please make a written submission to the AIRAH office for consideration. Email training@airah.org.au 

*Note: AIRAH recognises that members should develop not only their technical HVAC&R industry knowledge but also advance their other professional skills.  See the below areas of your career development that can also be used to claim additional CPD hours.
 
Technical – HVAC&R industry technical knowledge
Business – Project management, business development, finance and business planning, OH&S and other business related development programs
Leadership – Strategic development, managing people, change management, ethical standards and other leadership related development programs
Personal – team work, relationships and interpersonal skills, and other personal development programs

 

How can AIRAH help me meet my other CPD requirements?

AIRAH is recognised as a key provider of training to the HVAC&R industry.  

  • Engineers Australia - members can choose to record CPD hours for attendance at AIRAH events in their personal CPD logs 
  • GBCA – has pre-approved many AIRAH courses and events for the purposes of CPD
  • State regulatory bodies – many recognise AIRAH training, however you should check with your state body before undertaking a course to confirm it they will be recognised.

Recording AIRAH Continuing Professional Development Activities

AIRAH recommends that members undertake 150 hours of CPD over a three year period, with a minimum of 30 hours in anyone year. Refer to the CPD activity allocation table below to calculate your yearly CPD hours. 

You can download the AIRAH CPD Activity Statement to record your CPD activities.

CPD activity table - codes and hour allocation


Formal Professional Development Activities

Code

Activity

Hours

ACPDD

AIRAH CPD face to face seminar (full day)

8

ACPDH

AIRAH CPD face to face seminar (half day)

4

OCPDD

Allied Organisation face to face seminar (full day)

8

OCPDH

Allied Organisation face to face seminar (half day)

4

APDBS

AIRAH Professional Diploma of Building Services – HVAC&R

50 max

AONLINE

AIRAH Online Training Programs

30 max

ADISTL

AIRAH Distance Learning Programs

30 max



Conferences, Meetings, Webinars, and Networking Events

Code

Activity

Hours

ACON

AIRAH Conference

(8 hours per day / max 32 hours total annually)

ADM

AIRAH Division Meeting (Evening, Breakfast, Site Visit, Trade Night, Social Event)

1-3 hours max per event

AWEB

AIRAH Webinar

1-2 hours max per event

OCON

Allied Organisation Conference

(8 hours per day / max 32 hours total annually)

OCM

Allied Organisation Division Meeting (Evening, Breakfast, Site Visit, Social Event)

1-3 hours max per event

OWEB

Allied Organisation Webinar

1-2 hours max per event



Leadership Positions

Code

Activity

Hours per year

LP01

AIRAH or Allied Organisation National President

50 max

LP02

AIRAH or Allied Organisation National or Associate Director

40 max

LP03

AIRAH or Allied Organisation Division President

30 max

LP04

AIRAH or Allied Organisation Division Committee

20 max

LP05

AIRAH STG Committee – Chair

30 max

LP06

AIRAH STG Committee – Member

25 max

LP07

AIRAH National Reference Group Member

30 max



Speaking

Code

Activity

Hours per year

SP01

Single Event - Solo Speaker

8

SP02

Single Event - Panel Participant

1-4

SP03

Single Event - Chair or Moderator

1-3

SP04

Tertiary Program (per term or course) – Lecturer

10-50

 (Repeat presentations of same the program should not be included)



Writing

Code

Activity

Hours per year

W01

Author or Editor on AIRAH Application Manual or published Book

50 max

W02

Contributor (minimum 20%) to AIRAH Application Manual or published book

30 max

 

W03

Author of published technical paper/case study

10 max

W04

Contributor to technical blogs or conversations

5 max



Informal Learning Activities

Code

Activity

Hours per year

I01

Hours of reading of relevant technical journals and articles

10 max

I02

Hours of self-study including Industry Standards, Codes and Technical Manuals

10 max


AIRAH recognises many other organisations for providing members with CPD opportunities.  Please contact the AIRAH office for any questions regarding claiming other organisations activities towards your AIRAH CPD diary.

If AIRAH audits your CPD records and questions the validity of any claimed hours, you must be able to show proof of your claimed CPD activities.
 

Summary of activities for continuing professional development

Referring to the types of CPD listed above, use the AIRAH CPD Activity Statement to record your CPD activities and hours. 
 

Contact

For more information about AIRAH's CPD program please call AIRAH on (03) 8623 3000 or email training@airah.org.au.