The Western Australian government has formally recognised accreditation from the Australian Institute of Building Surveyors (AIBS) as a pathway to registration for building surveyors, a decision that follows years of engagement between the Institute and the state’s regulatory authorities.
The recognition, now published on the Western Australian government website, applies to the Building Services Board and the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety (LGIRS) in their assessment of applications for registration as a building surveying practitioner under the Building Services (Registration) Act 2011 (WA) and the Building Services (Registration) Regulations 2011.
Under the new policy, assessors will apply a consistent process when determining whether an applicant has acquired the knowledge and ability required for registration at the level sought, as part of the broader “fit and proper person” assessment.
The policy is also intended to help applicants prepare submissions that clearly demonstrate they hold the necessary knowledge and ability to carry out building surveying work at their chosen level of registration.
It applies only to new applications for initial registration under Regulations 28D(1) Set 1 and 28D(2) Set 1, not to renewals.
The move acknowledges the strength and rigour of AIBS’s national accreditation framework and gives building surveyors greater certainty when seeking registration in Western Australia.
It is also being viewed as a step toward more consistent registration standards for the profession across the country, at a time when the Institute has been pushing for greater workforce mobility and improved outcomes for consumers.
AIBS Chief Executive Officer, Sid Gokani, described the outcome as a major achievement for the Institute and the wider profession.
“This recognition is the result of a long period of constructive engagement with Western Australia’s registration authority and government stakeholders, and demonstrates their confidence in AIBS Accreditation and the high professional standards it represents,” said Gokani.
He said the decision reflected the important role building surveyors play in protecting the public.
“Building surveyors play a critical role in protecting public safety and ensuring buildings comply with Australia’s regulatory framework,” said Gokani.
“By recognising AIBS Accreditation as a pathway to registration, Western Australia is supporting a system that promotes competence, accountability and consistency.”
Western Australia’s decision adds to a growing list of jurisdictions that already recognise AIBS Accreditation. Queensland, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory have incorporated it into their registration pathways, while Victoria formally recognised the accreditation in 2024.
With Western Australia now on board, the accreditation’s standing has strengthened further at a national level, adding weight to calls for a more uniform approach to registration across states and territories.
AIBS Vice President and Western Australia Director, Richard Attiwell, said the change would benefit both individual practitioners and the industry more broadly.
“Building surveyors increasingly work across jurisdictional boundaries, and recognition of AIBS Accreditation helps create greater confidence and consistency while supporting professional mobility.
Accreditation through AIBS sits alongside a range of other initiatives run by the Institute, including education programs, continuing professional development, practice standards and its Professional Standards Scheme.
Together, these are designed to ensure accredited members demonstrate the competence, ethical conduct and accountability expected of the profession.
The Institute has indicated it will continue engaging with governments and regulators around the country in an effort to promote nationally consistent approaches to registration, arguing that such consistency will help deliver safer and more compliant buildings for communities nationwide.
