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. The current Queensland Professional Engineers Act has been in operation since 2002. Victoria has introduced the Professional Engineers Registration Act 2019 to align with the Queensland scheme, starting on July 1, 2021. And New South Wales has introduced the Design and Building Practitioners Act and Regulation, commencing on July 1, 2021.

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 RPEQ scheme.

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 of Queensland (RPEQ). AIRAH is an approved assessor for the RPEQ scheme. Once you have gained your APER status, you will need to apply with the Board of Professional Engineers Queensland (BPEQ) to be recognised as a Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland (RPEQ).

APER is designed to meet all the requirements to be an assessment scheme for registration with the Business Licensing Authority (BLA) in Victoria. AIRAH is an approved assessor for the Business Licensing Authority (BLA) scheme. Once you have gained your APER status, you will need to apply with the Business Licensing Authority (BLA) to be recognised as a Professional Engineer in Victoria.

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 reapply for APER accreditation every three years, or submit a written proposal (see the APER Resource page) prior to the expiration date.

Your accreditation lasts for three years, contingent on ongoing CPD activities (150 hours of CPD over three years).

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.