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About APER
The AIRAH Professional Engineer Register (APER) is the professional
accreditation designed for engineers operating in the HVAC&R building
services industry.
Being on the APER demonstrates to the public that you are an engineer who is
qualified, competent, and ethical.
The APER is open to both AIRAH members and non-members.
AIRAH members on the register may carry the post-nominal of AIRAH Registered
Professional Engineer (ARPEng) – the practical mark of quality in
engineering.
In Australia, states and territories are responsible for statutory
registration of engineers. Statutory registration ensures engineers meet
professional conduct, education, training, and competency standards. The
registration requirements are different for each state and territory.
Professional engineers must register in each jurisdiction where they plan to
practise.
AIRAH via the APER is an accredited assessor for State and territory
registration for the ACT, QLD, VIC and WA. During the process of gaining
APER registration we will assess you for one chosen state and provide an
endorsement letter you can provide during your state registration to confirm
your qualifications, experience and competency. During our assessment you
may need to provide additional information above the APER requirements to
meet a specific states requirements. Please refer to the State information
provided.
Once registered in one State or territory you may be able seek mutual
recognition for other States or Territories registration or where not
available seek further endorsement for additional States or Territories
through additional APER assessment.
Currently NSW, NT, TAS and SA have independent or no State registration
requirements and you should refer to their respective government sites for
further information.
Engineering professionals in mechanical engineering – HVAC&R building
services are those who plan, design, install, commission, operate, tune, and
maintain mechanical machines and systems in the built environment. This
includes air conditioning plants, ventilation systems, chillers, cooling
towers, refrigeration systems for food production and preservation
applications, transport cooling systems, fire and smoke systems, medical
facilities, and control systems.
Mechanical engineer – HVAC&R building services disciplines
A discipline is a subgroup of the engineering profession with which
practitioners align their skills and work activities. Formal and
informal education and work experience will influence how an engineering
practitioner identifies with a discipline.
AIRAH is focused on representing mechanical engineer – HVAC&R
building services professionals. These are professional engineers whose
work is associated with, but not restricted to, the heating,
ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) and
building services industry. Learn
more about the industry here.
The APER accreditation is aligned with registration in state-legislated
schemes as a professional engineer in the mechanical engineer
discipline.
The mechanical engineer – HVAC&R building services discipline is
rapidly changing and multi-faceted. The above description does not fully
capture the scope and specialisations of activities, some of which can
cross over with other disciplines. For example – sustainability, ESD,
and resilience can be considered within environmental engineering, as
well as other disciplines. Although not a mandatory requirement, when
filling out the application we ask APER applicants to identify areas of
specialisation related to their engineering activities.
Additional information on the mechanical engineer – HVAC&R
building services discipline is available here.
Why should I apply to be listed on the APER?
Australia’s states are introducing professional registration schemes for
engineers:
-
Queensland – The current Queensland Professional
Engineers Act has been in operation since 2002.
-
Victoria – Has introduced the Professional
Engineers Registration Act 2019, which commenced on July 1, 2021.
-
New South Wales – New South Wales has introduced
the Design and Building Practitioners Act and Regulation, which commenced
on July 1, 2021.
-
Australian Capital Territory – The ACT has
introduced the
Professional Engineers Act 2023
which commenced on March 6, 2024.
-
Western Australia -
The Building services (Registration) Act 2011
was amended to include professional engineer registration commencing July
2024 and expands to include Mechanical Engineers from July 1, 2025
Please note: Currently registration in NSW is directly with the department
of NSW Fair Trading. A pathway where registration may be achieved via a
professional body of engineers approved by NSW Fair Trading (such as AIRAH)
is being developed. More
information regarding registration of engineers in NSW may be found
here.
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.
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.
AIRAH members who have been granted APER accreditation will also be awarded
the use of the AIRAH Registered Professional Engineer (ARPEng) post-nominal.
Where a successful applicant meets their nominated State or Territory
Registration requirements they will also receive an endorsement letter
confirming their qualifications, experience and competency for submission to
their nominated State or Territory as part of their registration
application.
How long does an APER accreditation last for?
Accreditation lasts for three years, contingent on ongoing continuing
professional development activities (150 hours of CPD over a three-year
period, with a minimum of 50 hours each year) and adherence to the APER Code
of Ethics (available via
the APER Resources page)
related to the state/territory you are registered in.
You must apply to renew your APER accreditation each three years by
completing the renewal application and providing your current CPD evidence
for assessment.
A State or Territory Registration endorsement letter lasts for one year. If
State or Territory Registration is not sought within this time an
endorsement reassessment will be required before applying for State or
Territory Registration.