FAQs

A successful application to become listed on the APER will display to the industry – and to the public at large – your qualifications and commitment to the discipline. An APER listing confirms that your skills, professional development, and training are up-to-date, and that you are a qualified professional.

Australia’s states are introducing professional registration schemes for engineers. Many of these states require an assessment of your qualifications, experience and competency by an Accredited Assessment Entity which is aligned with APER assessment and registration for Mechanical Engineering in the HVAC&R industry

The current Queensland Professional Engineers Act has been in operation since 2002. Victoria introduced the Professional Engineers Registration Act 2019, starting on July 1, 2021. The ACT introduced the Professional Engineers Act 2023 which commenced on March 6, 2024. Western Australia introduced the Building services (Registration ) Act 2011 which was amended to include professional engineer registration commencing July 2024 and expands to include Mechanical Engineers from July 1, 2025.And New South Wales has introduced the Design and Building Practitioners Act and Regulation, commencing on July 1, 2021 and although currently assessed via Services Australia may enable external Assessment Entities in the future.

As a result of these Acts, engineers will need to be registered if they provide “professional engineering services”.

The schemes have been founded on the principle that a minimum level of qualifications, experience and continuing professional development are required to carry out professional engineering services. The AIRAH Professional Engineer Register accreditation scheme has been developed to meet these requirements.

AIRAH is an approved assessor for the ACT, QLD, VIC and WA, professional Mechanical Engineer - Building, registration schemes.

All applications for registration will be responded to within four weeks. The completed application will be assessed within eight weeks of receipt, unless otherwise agreed with the applicant. Applicants shall be notified in the circumstance of delays in the processing of their application.

To ensure and maintain the quality of the APER accreditation, we require applicants to provide substantial documentation. This includes certified copies of relevant academic documents, a detailed CV and CPD log, as well as professional references. All of these will be checked by an Assessor and, if approved, the candidate will be passed on to the Assessment Committee, who will consider recommendations for accreditation and issue a testamur.

Yes, it does. Assessors will interview the applicant and at least two referees.

Assessors have at least 15 years of post-graduation engineering experience and hold a professional engineering accreditation. They have been selected for their experience, competence, commitment, and professional conduct.

APER is designed to meet all the requirements for AIRAH to be an assessment scheme for registration as a Registered Professional Engineer in ACT, QLD, VIC and WA. AIRAH is an approved assessor for these State/territory schemes. Once you have gained your APER status and respective State/territory endorsement letter you will need to apply with the respective state/territory's scheme and submit endorsement and meet any other specific state/territory requirements to be recognised as a Professional Engineer in that State/territory. Once registered in one State or Territory you may be able to seek mutual recognition in another subject to that State/territories requirements. If mutual recognition is not achievable then you may seek additional State/territory endorsement via the APER.

No, being an AIRAH member is not a requirement of the APER accreditation, but please refer to the industry fees for applying.

To achieve APER status, you should have a domestic bachelor’s degree, historical equivalent or additional education and training. A qualification gained elsewhere but recognised under the Washington Accord for recognition as a professional engineer is also acceptable.

All qualifications must be submitted in English as a PDF document and they must be certified by an authorised witness.Only authorised witnesses as set out by the Australian Attorney-General will be accepted. Click here to view the list of acceptable authorised witnesses.

Currently, APER has been established as an Australian qualification. Your registration as a professional engineer will, however, carry great weight, and AIRAH continues to progress its international recognition.

As you go through the application process, you’ll be prompted to upload documents. Please ensure these are high-quality scans and that you submit them as PDFs. The file size must be under 10MB.

Applicants will be responded to within four weeks of receipt of application. Applications will be assessed within eight weeks of receipt, unless otherwise agreed upon.

Yes, if you are a member of AIRAH. Once you have successfully passed the application process and become accredited on the AIRAH Professional Engineer Register, you may add the AIRAH Registered Professional Engineer (ARPEng) post-nominal to your name. If applicable, you may also highlight the discipline.

For example: Jane Doe, M.AIRAH, ARPEng (Mech).

Information about APER fees is available here.

You must apply to renew your APER accreditation each three years by completing the renewal application and providing your current CPD evidence for assessment.

Your accreditation lasts for three years, contingent on ongoing CPD activities (150 hours of CPD over three years). Note: If you are also registered in a State or Territory professional engineering scheme then you may also need to comply with that State or Territory professional engineering schemes CPD requirements.

Details on accessing the names of those on the AIRAH Professional Engineer Register can be found by using the search the APER webpage.

Should your application be deemed unsuccessful by the Assessor, you may lodge an appeal within one calendar month of the date of notification. Your appeal should detail your reasoning as to why your application should be reconsidered and include any additional information that may further support your application.

Applicants can make one appeal per application. If unsuccessful, you are encouraged to reapply in 12 months.