The Professional Standards Councils have released three new guidance notes as exposure drafts for public consultation:

• Use of data sources for effective professional standards regulation
• Fees payable for schemes under professional standards legislation
• Developing, implementing, and revising association codes

The Councils invite stakeholders to submit comments by 21 January 2022.

The recent Professional Standards Forum is now available as a video recording, together with slides presented by speakers, and resource material discussed.

We are pleased to announce the release of the Professional Standards Councils combined Annual Report 2020-21, which summarises our activities and performance over the last financial year.

The Professional Standards Authority is pleased to advise that Ministers have re-appointed four members of the Professional Standards Councils.

The program for the Professional Standards Forum on 14 October 2021 is now available, including an introduction to the panellists and workshop presenters.

The Professional Standards Councils invite comments and submissions on the proposed The Queensland Law Society Professional Standards Scheme and The Law Society of South Australia Professional Standards Scheme.

The Professional Standards Councils (the ‘Councils’) and the Tax Practitioners Board (Board) have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

The Professional Standards Councils are pleased to contribute to the work of the Tax Practitioners Board’s Tax Practitioner Governance and Standards Forum.

The Professional Standards Councils have launched a new Scheme Application Framework for pilot and feedback.

The Professional Standards Councils are pleased to share a presentation by the UK Legal Services Board on practices to enhance consumer-focused regulation.

Save the date for our next Professional Standards Forum on 14 October 2021 with a focus on regulating competence - continuing professional development programs and beyond.

The Professional Standards Councils congratulates Strata Community Association (NSW) on their first professional standards scheme.

The Professional Standards Councils congratulates the Australian Institute of Building Surveyors on the approval of their first professional standards scheme.

The Councils are now inviting comments and submissions on the proposed Institute of Public Accountants Professional Standards Scheme.

The recent Professional Standards Forum is now available as a video recording together with slides presented by speakers and resources discussed. 

A panel of regulatory, academic and association experts will speak on the Forum’s theme of ‘Trust and confidence: responding to community expectations’.  

The program for the Professional Standards Forum on 15 April 2021 is now available, including an introduction to the panellists and workshop presenters.

The next Professional Standards Councils’ Forum will be held online on 15 April 2021, addressing the theme ‘Trust and confidence: responding to community expectations’.

The Professional Standards Councils are now inviting comments and submissions on the proposed Australian Institute of Building Surveyors Professional Standards Scheme.

The Professional Standards Councils are now inviting comments and submissions on the proposed The Australian Property Institute Valuers Limited Professional Standards Scheme. 

The Professional Standards Councils are now inviting comments and submissions on the proposed Strata Community Association (NSW) Limited Professional Standards Scheme.

The Professional Standards Authority thanks Summer Law Clerks for their contributions towards the work of the Professional Standards Councils.

Ministers extend the RICS Valuers Limited and the Institute of Public Accountants professional standards schemes to operate for an additional year.

The Professional Standards Authority wishes you a safe and happy holiday season. Our office will be closed from 5.00pm Thursday 24 December 2020 and will reopen 9.00am Monday 11 January 2021.

The scheme application redesign project has been extended to incorporate feedback and allow for two phases of testing with current associations.

The Professional Standards Councils have released a new Framework for Developing, Reviewing and Retiring Regulatory Guidance. 

The Professional Standards Councils congratulates the NSW Bar Association on their fourth Professional Standards Scheme and the WA Bar Association on their second Scheme. 

Save the date for our next Professional Standards Forum, to be held online on 15 April 2021 with a focus on community trust and confidence in professional standards regulation. 

The Professional Standards Authority is pleased to advise that Ministers have made a number of new appointments to the Professional Standards Councils.

The Authority is delighted to welcome law students Inderpreet Kaur Singh and Lucy Roberts to work with us over summer.

We are pleased to announce the release of the Professional Standards Councils Annual Report 2019-20, which summarises our activities and performance over the last financial year. 

Over 60 delegates from across Australia heard from an expert panel on the role of codes of ethics in delivering consumer-focused professional and occupational services. A video recording of the panel session and slides presented by speakers are available here.

Putting the Consumer First in Ethics: the role of a consumer ethics framework in delivering consumer focused professional and occupational services

The Professional Standards Councils congratulates the Association of Consulting Surveyors National on their new professional standards scheme.

On 7 July 2020, the Scheme Application Redesign Project Steering Group approved the Discovery Stage Report and Design Plan.

The Professional Standards Councils have released a new Annual Membership Assurance Report to help simplify the fee calculation compliance reporting required of associations.

The Professional Standards Councils are pleased to join Griffith University as a major research partner for a project aimed at raising occupational standards and consumer protection in the building industry.

Regulated associations are commended for the timely and transparent submission of their annual reports.

The Professional Standards Councils congratulate CPA Australia on their professional standards scheme.

Below is a link to the full statement by the Professional Standards Councils in response to COVID-19, and measures affecting our regulatory services.

We regret to advise that the Councils’ Forum scheduled for Thursday 19 March, in Sydney, has been postponed until a date to be decided.

The Professional Standards Councils are now inviting submissions and comments on the Western Australia Bar Association Scheme.

Includes an overview of the panel session and workshop, as well as an introduction of the panellists.

Following the call out from the Governor-General to all Australian Defence Force Reserves to help with 'Operation Bushfire Assist', Gabrielle Hendry from the Professional Standards Authority reported for duty.

The Forum will feature a panel of distinguished speakers who will lead a discussion on the opportunities and challenges in successfully regulating for ethical values, principles and behaviours that are consumer focused. 

The Forum will be delivered in Sydney on 19 March 2020 with the theme ‘Putting the Consumer First in Ethics: the role of a consumer ethics framework in delivering consumer focused professional and occupational services’.

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Save the date for our next Professional Standards Forum, to be held in Sydney on 19 March 2020 with a focus on ethical conduct and codes.

The Professional Standards Councils congratulate Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand on their professional standards scheme.

The second Professional Standards Forum for 2019, held in Melbourne on 21 November, was hosted by the Professional Standards Authority Acting CEO, Mr John R Rappell. Over 40 delegates heard from an expert panel on the use of complaints data to understand consumer experiences and to drive improvements in the delivery of professional services.

The Professional Standards Authority is pleased to welcome two law students - Elise Galati from Macquarie University and James Dunn from the University of NSW - to work with us over summer. 

We are pleased to announce the release of the Professional Standards Councils Annual Report 2018-19, which summarises our activities and performance over the last financial year.

This day celebrates the collaborative efforts of experts around the world and to raise awareness of the importance of voluntary standards in helping meet the needs of business, industry, government, and consumers worldwide.

The Professional Standards Council will be delivering its second Forum in Melbourne in November, on 'Complaints as a Risk Management Tool'.

Registrations are now open for the second Professional Standards Forum for occupational associations on how to get the best out of operating Professional Standards Schemes.

The Professional Standards Councils congratulate the Law Society of Western Australia on its second Professional Standards Scheme.

The Professional Standards Councils are now inviting comments and submissions on the proposed NSW Bar Association Professional Standards Scheme.

Professional Standards Councils welcome inclusion of a pathway for professional standards schemes in options paper for the Building Ministers’ Forum 

Announcement of the Bar Association of Queensland's second five-year Scheme at of 1 July 2019.

Industry occupational associations are encouraged to reduce risk and liability by raising professional standards.

Applications are now open for the Professional Standards Authority's Summer Clerkship for 2019/2020.

The Professional Standards Councils and the NSW Crown Solicitor’s Office have cooperated to update the summary of cases where courts have considered the Professional Standards Legislation and the Professional Standards Schemes approved under that legislation. 

The Professional Standards Councils congratulate the South Australian Bar Association on its second Professional Standards Scheme, which will operate until 30 June 2022.

The Professional Standards Authority (PSA) is pleased that 100% of regulated associations have submitted their PSIP reports on time, with governing bodies playing an increasingly active role in the review and approval of this important regulatory activity.  

The Councils' risk appetite statement sets out the amount of risk we are willing to accept or retain to achieve our statutory objectives and strategic goals to facilitate and promote consumer protection through improvement in professional standards. 

Certificate presented to the Victorian Bar.

The Professional Standards Councils are now inviting submissions and comments on the CPA Australia Professional Standarsd (Accountants) Scheme.

Councils share leading practice in complaints data as a risk management tool.

Meet the Forum panellists and workshop facilitators.

Save the Date: Professional Standards Forum, 11 April 2019 

Certificate presented to the Institute of Public Accountants. 

Comments are invited for the proposed CAANZ Professional Standards Scheme, and a proposed amendment of The APIV Limited Scheme.

PSA farewells summer law clerks.

Certificate presented to ACS for a new Professional Standards Scheme.  

The Professional Standards Councils are delighted to congratulate Mr Brian Rayment QC on being recognised in the 2019 Australia Day honours list. 

The Professional Standards Authority is pleased to advise that Ministers have made a number of re-appointments to the Professional Standards Councils.

The inaugural Professional Standards Forum, held at The Mint, Sydney, was a resounding success. Over 50 delegates attended to gain valuable insights on how handling complaints effectively can improve professional standards

The Professional Standards Authority (PSA) is pleased that 100% of regulated associations have submitted their PSIP reports on time, with governing bodies playing an increasingly active role in the review and approval of this important regulatory activity.

Save the Date: Professional Standards Forum, 11 April 2019

The Professional Standards Councils of Western Australia and Victoria are inviting comments and submissions concerning two new schemes.

The Research Library features more than 40 articles providing pathways and structures for the professionalisation of occupations.

The Professional Standards Councils will soon be launching a Research Library on modern professionalism providing pathways and structures for the professionalisation of occupations.

Comments and submissions are now open for the proposed Bar Association of Queensland Professional Standards Scheme.

The Professional Standards Council of New South Wales is inviting comments and submissions concerning a new professional standards scheme proposed by the Australian Computer Society.

The Professional Standards Councils have today published their three-year strategic intent and goals.

The Professional Standards Authority is pleased to advise that Ministers have made a number of appointments and reappointments to the Professional Standards Councils.

The Professional Standards Authority (PSA) is pleased to participate in the annual Summer Clerkship Program of the NSW Law Society.

The Professional Standards Council of Victoria is inviting comments and submissions concerning a new professional standards scheme proposed by the Institute of Public Accountants.

Updated June 2018: The period for comment and public submission has now closed.

The Professional Standards Council of New South Wales is inviting comments and submissions concerning a new professional standards scheme proposed by the Law Society of New South Wales.

The Professional Standards Authority is pleased to advise that the Queensland Attorney-General and Minister for Justice has appointed Ms Elizabeth Shearer to the Queensland Professional Standards Council. 

Annual Professional Standards Improvement Program (PSIP) reporting by regulated associations closed on 31 March 2018.

The CIRCEA Scheme which operated under the Professional Standards Act 1994 (NSW) expired naturally on 28 February 2018.

The Professional Standards Councils recognises the approval of CPA Australia Ltd’s Professional Standards Scheme and presents a certificate to CPA Australia's President and Chair, Peter Wilson.

The ATMA Scheme which operated under the Professional Standards Act 2003 (Vic) expired naturally on 31 December 2017.

The Professional Standards Councils have approved the CPA Australia Ltd Professional Standards (Accountants) Scheme for a 2-year period.

Roxane Marcelle-Shaw newly appointed as the Executive Director of the Professional Standards Authority and CEO of the Professional Standards Councils.

Ms Roxane Marcelle-Shaw will be joining the Professional Standards Authority as the new Executive Director on 27 November 2017.

The Professional Standards Councils have decided to publish the Professional Standards Scheme proposed by CPA Australia Ltd, and invite the public to make comments and submissions on the proposed Scheme.   

The Professional Standards Councils congratulates the Australian Computer Society (ACS) on the extension of their Professional Standards Scheme for an additional year by the Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation, the Hon Matt Kean.

Dr Deen Sanders OAM, will be leaving the Professional Standards Councils and the Professional Standards Authority to head up the Financial Adviser Standards and Ethics Authority Limited (FASEA). John Rappell, Director of Professional Schemes, will be the Executive Director in the interim, and business will continue as normal.

The Professional Standards Councils congratulates The Law Society of South Australia on the approval of their new Professional Standards Scheme. The new scheme was approved by the Councils on 16 December 2016 and came into effect on 1 July 2017. 

On the 7th of October 2017, the current CPA Australia Professional Standards Scheme, which operates in all mainland jurisdictions, will expire. 

The current CPA Professional Standards Scheme, which operates in all mainland jurisdictions, will expire naturally, after four years on 7 October 2017. The scheme participants include 7029 members who have a CPA Public Practice Certificate. 

The Councils congratulates the Law Institute of Victoria on the approval of their new Professional Standards Scheme. 

As part of a major ARC Linkage project led by UNSW  about professions, professional obligation and regulation in the 21st century, a series of research articles have been featured in the UNSW Law Journal, Vol 40 No.1: Contemporary Professionalism in Practice.

Queensland Law Society, Law Institute of Victoria, Australian Property Institute Valuers Limited and RICS Valuers Ltd recognised as a profession with the approval of Professional Standards Schemes.

UNSW and Allens host a conference on the future of professional practice in the world of the global professional firm & the employed professionals who work in their transnational practices.

CEO, Dr Deen Sanders, speaks at the SMSF Association’s annual conference on the Education and Professional Standards in the Financial Services industry. 

Dr Deen Sanders, speaks at the Law Institute of Victoria Conference of Council 2017 on Regulation of the Legal Profession: Regulatory best practice session with expert panielists.

On Tuesday 13th September 2016, the Professional Standards Amendment Bill 2016 was tabled in the Tasmanian parliament. The Bill addresses two long term barriers...

The Chief Executive Officer of the Professional Standards Councils, Dr Deen Sanders, recently spoke at CA ANZ’s annual Thought Leadership Forum at RMIT Melbourne. 

UNSW are hosting a one-day conference exploring the future of professional practice in the 21st century. Come and engage with the latest research, hear industry perspectives on practical implementation, and participate in discussions.

The Professional Standards Councils has just released a new book, 21 years of regulatory innovation through professional standards, marking the 21st anniversary of professional standards legislation in Australia. 

The Chief Executive Officer of the Professional Standards Councils, Dr Deen Sanders, spoke at the Global Integrity Summit in Brisbane on Wednesday 14 October. This was the second time Dr Sanders was invited to speak.

The Commonwealth Government has released a consultation paper and are calling for submissions on ways to lift the professional standards of financial advisers. PSC responded.

The Professional Standards Councils hosted a round table discussion led by UNSW on professionalism in the 21st century at its head office in Sydney on Thursday 6 August.

We are pleased to announce the first recipient of our 2014 Research Grants, which funds study into improving and advancing professional standards in Australia. 

CEO invited to join a distinguished faculty for the Clients and Firms of the Future Forum on Wednesday 11 March.

Dr Deen Sanders will speak at the Consumer Directed Aged Care Regulatory and Compliance Readiness Summit 2015 on Wednesday 25 February.

The Professional Standards Councils has provided a submission and response to the review of Section 27(c) of  the Professional Standards Act 2005.

The Professional Standards Councils congratulate the Victorian Bar on the launch of Australia’s first accreditation scheme for criminal barristers, the Indictable Crimes Certificate (ICC).

The Chief Executive Officer of the Professional Standards Councils, Dr Deen Sanders, will be speaking at the Australasian Society of Association Executives’ Annual AuSAE Leadership Symposium in Sydney on Monday 13 October.

We are pleased to announce the release of the Professional Standards Councils Annual Report 2013-14, which summarises our activities and performance over the last financial year.

The Professional Standards Councils congratulates the Queensland Law Society (QLS) on the successful completion of its Professional Standards Grant project, Practice Health Check.

The Professional Standards Councils have just launched Professionalisation of financial services, the first white paper in a planned series on professionalisation within the Australian services sector.

The white paper presents the findings of months of research, and considers the community, economic, regulatory and personal benefits that might arise from improved professionalism and the introduction of formal professional standards in the financial services sector.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Professional Standards Councils, Dr Deen Sanders, will be making one of the keynote speeches at AFAC14 in Wellington, New Zealand, on Thursday 4 September.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Professional Standards Councils, Dr Deen Sanders, will be speaking at the Global Integrity Summit in Griffith University, Brisbane, on Tuesday 9 September.

We congratulate the Western Australian Bar Association (WABA), Law Society of Western Australia and the Victorian Bar Association on the approval of their new Professional Standards Schemes.

“The decision to award a Professional Standards Scheme is our recognition of these associations’ capacity and commitment to be an effective self-regulatory organisation, dedicated to improving the professional standards of their memberships,” said our CEO, Dr Deen Sanders.