Engineers Australia is calling on the Victorian Government to use the current three-year review of the Professional Engineers Registration Act 2019 as an opportunity to future-proof the state’s engineering workforce.
In a comprehensive submission to the review, Engineers Australia – the nation’s peak engineering body representing around 140,000 engineers – outlined a series of reforms it believes would turn Victoria’s registration system into a gold-standard model.
Key recommendations include enabling national consistency and Automatic Mutual Recognition (AMR) so engineers can register once and work across jurisdictions; providing clearer definitions for terms such as “professional engineering service,” “direct supervision” and “prescriptive standards”; and requiring Washington Accord-aligned qualifications, assessed by Engineers Australia as the Australian signatory.
The submission also calls for an Independent Board of Professional Engineers, modelled on Queensland’s system, to enhance oversight and public trust through expert, sector-specific decision-making. Additionally, it urges the Government to expand the registration scheme to include all engineering disciplines, particularly those in emerging and hybrid fields.
Engineers Australia chief engineer Katherine Richards said the review is a vital opportunity for Victoria to lead on reform.
“Engineering touches every Victorian, every day. From the bridges we cross to the hospitals we rely on, to the renewable energy projects powering our homes – public safety depends on competent, accountable engineers,” Richards said.
She emphasised that reforming the system would also unlock major economic benefits.
“By cutting regulatory duplication, harmonising standards across states and locking in internationally recognised qualifications, Victoria can build a safer, smarter engineering profession. These reforms will accelerate major projects, reduce skills bottlenecks and give Victorians confidence that their infrastructure and energy sectors are in the best hands.”
Richards added that aligning with Queensland’s independent board and embracing AMR would simplify compliance for industry while improving public protection.