On 20 February 2026, the Professional Standards Council of New South Wales, acting in conjunction with the Councils of each Australian State and Territory, approved an application from Surveyors Australia Ltd (SAus) for a new professional standards scheme.
The scheme will be in force from 1 July 2026, subject to gazettal or notification in each state and territory. The scheme will be in force for a period of 5 years, unless extended. This is the second scheme approved for SAus (formerly Association of Consulting Surveyors National) in NSW and will operate nationally.
In approving the scheme, the Councils had regard to the matters set out in section 10 of the Professional Standards Act 1994 (NSW), including:
- all comments and submissions provided to the Councils in response to public notification of the scheme
- the position of persons who may be affected by limiting the occupational liability of members of SAus
- the nature and level of claims relating to occupational liability made against members of SAus
- the risk management strategies of SAus, and the means by which those strategies are intended to be implemented
- the cost and availability of insurance against occupational liability for members of SAus, and
- the standards determined by SAus in respect of insurance policies for members.
The Councils consider that it remains appropriate for participants in the SAus scheme, and the clients they serve, to receive the benefits of a professional standards scheme. These include improving professional standards and placing downward pressure on insurance costs, through effective risk management, continuing professional development, and complaints and disciplinary systems.
The Council would like to thank all those who provided comments or made a submission during the public notification of the scheme.