The Professional Standards Councils have published their combined 2025-26 Annual Report, providing an overview of work and initiatives over the past financial year.
The report highlights the continued growth and impact of the national professional standards framework, with more than 102,800 professionals participating in approved schemes.
A key component of reporting is the provision of consolidated insights from Annual Professional Standards Reports submitted by scheme associations. These reports provide information on how associations are meeting their obligations under professional standards legislation, including the implementation of risk management strategies, continuing professional development requirements and complaints and disciplinary processes. By bringing together data and insights from across associations, the report offers a combined perspective on emerging trends, challenges and achievements within the professional standards framework.
Other highlights include:
- Approval of the first scheme for the Association of Australian Certifiers, taking the number of approved schemes to 19.
- Publication of the independent research report: Benefits of Professional Standards Schemes, which examined the effect of professional standards legislation on strengthening professional practice, improving consumer protection, and enhancing trust in professional services.
- Delivery of a Professional Standards Forum focused on the opportunities and challenges presented by artificial intelligence.
- Ongoing collaboration with occupational associations and stakeholders to strengthen risk management, regulatory capacity and professional standards across a range of sectors.
The Councils thank scheme associations and jurisdictional policy officers for contributing to the report through submission of their annual statutory reporting.
Read the full report here.