The BDAA Gets Active to Get You Accredited!
Now more than ever, it is vital for today’s building designers to seek full and timely accreditation in their industry; not only to stand in accordance with new laws and codes but to keep up with the demands of a continually evolving and ever challenging built environment. This is why the BDAA facilitates the accreditation of building designers in Australia and is streamlining the accreditation process for today’s ambitious, conscientious building designers.
The BDAA has updated documents, systems and processes, effectively removing outdated documents to provide a more streamlined application process.
WHY BECOME ACCREDITED?
Within the building industry, accreditation is an acknowledgement of the competency of a company or individual to perform a range of tasks or skills within an occupational framework. The formal recognition of that accreditation typically comes in the form of a license or registration, usually issued by State or Federal Government department.
Building Designers in Tasmania, Queensland and Victoria are regulated in this manner, with each state having its own regulations and providing certified documentation as proof of accreditation. If you are looking to engage a Building Designer in one of these states, you should check their state-issued certificate before doing so.
In NSW, building designers are required by the Department of Planning and Infrastructure to be accredited by the BDAA if undertaking the design of projects under the Low Rise Medium Density Complying Development Code, and BDAA accreditation is a requirement by The NSW Department of Community Services (DoCS) for all building designers practicing in the child care industry.
Further, in NSW for Class 2, 3 & 9c buildings, designers must hold registration with the NSW Department of Fair Trading.
The other states and territories of Australia are also heading toward similar outcomes to varying degrees, but as of January 2023 there is no formal nationwide regulatory system in place.
VOLUNTARY ACCREDITATION
In an effort to raise the standard of building construction documentation and to provide greater levels of professionalism to clients, builders, contractors and councils, Building Designers Association of Australia has introduced a system of independent accreditation for Building Designers.
Accreditation ensures building designers meet professional standards required by our industry.
BDAA Accreditation is available to all building design practitioners not covered by alternate and appropriately recognised schemes. The Accreditation program is endorsed by a number of education, industry and government bodies such as Central Queensland University, Victoria University, TAFE NSW, Master Builders Association (MBA), NSW Department of Planning. NSW Department of Fair Trading and local government authorities.
BDAA Accreditation assessment is based on the national training package for building designers as promoted by the Australian Industry Skills Council (AISC) in conjunction with requirements by industry. Competency standards are continually updated to ensure currency of the profession. Copies of which can be found at
www.training.gov.au/training/details/CPP50919
www.training.gov.au/training/details/CPP60419
www.training.gov.au/training/details/CPP80219
In addition, BDAA engages with educational organisations to develop, maintain and deliver national training required for building designers to ensure the expectations of government, the public and the building industry are met.
Accreditation is maintained by engaging in Continuing Professional Development (CPD), holding a level of Professional Indemnity (PI) Insurance consummate with industry participation, and participating in regular audits of completed works.
The Assessment Process is described in full in the BDAA Participant Handbook which is available for download here.
LEVELS OF ACCREDITATION
Scope of work covers design and documentation of:
- Class 1 & 10 buildings as defined by the National Construction Code / Building Code of Australia classifications
- Class 2-9 buildings up to a maximum of 3 storeys and a maximum floor area of 2,000m²
- Buildings with a maximum of 4 storeys, where a single storey of Class 7a carpark is located at ground floor or basement level and with 3 storeys of Class 2 above and with a maximum floor area of 2000m²
Scope of work covers design and documentation of:
- Class 1 & 10 buildings as defined by the National Construction Code/Building Code of Australia classifications
- Class 2-9 buildings up to a maximum of 2 storeys (not including levels below ground for car parking and/or storage that does not protrude more than 1.2 metres above ground level) and a maximum floor area of 2000m2
- This category of accreditation excludes Type A construction as defined by the National Construction Code/ Building Code of Australia.
- IMPORTANT NOTE
BDAA Accreditation may not automatically make you eligible for registration and, as noted previously, some State and Territories have specific licencing/registration requirements. Please contact your State or Territory authority to ascertain their particular requirements.
ACCREDITATION APPLICATIONS
The BDAA provides several pathways for accreditation as follows:
GENERAL ACCREDITATION
For general accreditation as described previously, please click here to access the ‘Accreditation Application’ page where you will find information to assist you in putting together your accreditation application and submitting it through the On-Line application Form.
NSW D&BP CLASS 2, 3 & 9c REGISTRATION
For those building designers seeking accreditation for NSW Design & Building Practitioner Class 3 & 9c registration click here to access the ‘NSW D&BP Regulations’ page where you will find information to assist you in putting together your accreditation application and submitting it through the On-Line application Form.