A new registration scheme will ensure engineers are qualified to complete construction work in the ACT. 

The first phase of the Professional Engineers Registration Scheme will open for registration on 6 March, for civil and structural engineers.

The second phase will open in July, for mechanical engineers. 

The third phase will open in late 2024 for electrical and fire safety engineers. 

If you are providing professional engineering services across multiple areas of engineering, you can apply for registration across each area at the same time as soon as the first area you require registration in opens. 

From 6 March 2025, all professional engineers will be required to be registered, and the offence provisions in the Professional Engineers Act 2023 will commence. 

“This new mandatory registration scheme will monitor and enforce quality in the engineering profession, giving Canberrans confidence how their homes are being built,” Rebecca Vassarotti, ACT Minister for Sustainable Building and Construction, said. 

“We’re cracking on with completing a suite of building reforms in the ACT, and engineers registration is just one step in a whole new system we are putting in place to better protect Canberrans. 

“The phased approach allows professional engineers time to get their applications ready and will provide a more manageable and responsive scheme. 

“The ACT Government will work closely with industry, including engineering peak bodies and other representative organisations to ensure that engineers are advised in a timely manner of when they can apply for registration.

“This approach provides industry with a fair transition to the requirements of the scheme before compliance and enforcement activity starts while also delivering important consumer protection reforms in a timely manner.” 

The scheme was announced in 2022.