Professional Standards Forum - October 2026

The Professional Standards Councils were pleased to host a Forum on 15 October 2026, bringing together representatives from across the national system to explore emerging trends, risks and challenges affecting professions and professional standards regulation.

The event commenced with the launch of the Professional Standards Councils Strategic Plan 2026-29 and supporting Statement of Regulatory Approach by John Vines OAM, Chair of the Councils. The launch set the scene for the day’s discussions, reinforcing the Councils’ commitment to working collaboratively with occupational associations to raise professional standards, strengthen consumer protection and respond to an evolving professional landscape.

A key focus of the Forum was the impact of emerging risks for professional practice and regulation, with two panel discussions examining cyber risk and artificial intelligence (AI). These sessions brought together perspectives from the information technology and legal sectors on initiatives taken to address risks at the association and member level, alongside insights from insurers on potential implications for professional indemnity and cyber insurance.

The cyber risk panel featured presentations from:

• Raymond Loh, Product Leader of Cyber, Australia, International Financial Lines, AXA XL Insurance
• Betsy Gregg, Director of Operations, Australian Computer Society 
• Donna Boyce, Director, Professional Standards and Membership, New South Wales Bar Association.

The AI panel included: 

• Betsy Gregg, Director of Operations, Australian Computer Society 
• Ben Gardiner KC, AI Steering Committee, Victorian Bar 
• Mark Thorpe, Product Leader - Professional Indemnity – Australia, International Financial Lines, AXA XL Insurance.

The Forum also included practical sessions designed to support associations in meeting their obligations under professional standards legislation. Participants took part in a workshop on annual professional standards reporting, followed by peer discussions on the challenges and opportunities and challenges facing associations across the professional standards system, with topics including compliance monitoring, member engagement and recognition of schemes across jurisdictions.

The Councils thank all speakers, panellists and attendees for their contributions to this productive community of practice event.

Picture: (L-R) John Vines OAM (Chair, Professional Standards Councils), Donna Boyce (Director, Professional Standards and Membership, NSW Bar Association), Mark Thorpe (Product Leader - Professional Indemnity, AXA XL Insurance), Betsy Gregg (Director of Operations, Australian Computer Society) and Andreas Heger (CEO, Professional Standards Authority).