Electrical Connection Summer 2016

80 / 116

80 E L EC TR I C AL CONNEC T I ON SUMME R 20 1 6
ACRS holds rate as competitors increase
The Australian Cabler Registration Service
(ACRS) is a not-for-profit organisation
owned by NECA. It was formed to provide
registration services to electrical contractors
undertaking communications cabling work
across Australia. ACRS is accredited by
the Australian Communications and Media
Authority (ACMA).
We understand that most contractors are
inundated with paperwork and so we strive
to make the registration process as simple
and efficient as possible. ACRS is proud to
provide a high-quality registration service to
cablers at a lower cost than our four registrar
competitors. Plus we provide a regular
industry newsletter and member updates.
To qualify for registration, applicants
need to meet the current ACMA
competency requirements.
Full details can be emailed or posted
upon request and are available on the
ACRS website.
NBN requirements
Anyone working on the NBN network
must be accredited prior to commencing
work. NBN accreditation requirements for
undertaking work on its HFC network will also
require that people hold an open registration
with two additional competencies: Structured
and Coaxial. Accreditation can be verified by
scanning the registration card and sending to
the NBN portal:
default.aspx.
For experienced cablers with OPEN CPR
qualifications there may also be a requirement
for industry-recognised specialised
competency units. This was mandated by
the ACMA in July 2014 for cabling work that
involves one of the specialised skills. ACRS
can provide a list of training providers who
offer competency based training, and once
qualification and assessing is completed
cablers will be provided with a Statement
of Attainment.
Registered cablers can also add a
specialised competency or upgrade their
registration at renewal time, at no extra cost.
For more information call the ACRS hotline
on 1300 667771 or email:
.
Tasmania introduces Continuous Professional Development (CPD) for
Electrical Contractors
The Tasmanian Government has taken the bold
move of introducing Continuous Professional
Development (CPD) for Building Practitioners
and Occupational Licence Holders, including
the state’s Electrical Contractors. The initiative
commenced on July 1st this year, and thereby
requires Electrical Contractors operating in
Tasmania to maintain and develop their skills
through ongoing learning. This learning may
relate to technical and practical skills, business
competencies, laws affecting the industry or
personal and professional development.
The Government has allowed an initial,
two-year window for licensees to familiarise
themselves with the CPD scheme. During this
time, licensees will be required to familiarise
themselves with the scheme and undertake
further CPD course studies but will not have to
accrue any CPD points.
Once the CPD scheme comes into full effect
from 1 July 2018, licensees will
need to accrue 12 CPD points per annum
or 36 CPD points (on the basis of one point,
per hour over a 3 year licence). From this time,
Electrical Contractors will need to report their
CPD when they apply to renew their licence.
Licenses will not be renewed without the
satisfactory accrual of CPD points.
NECA is assisting the Tasmanian
Government in finalising the details of the CPD
scheme and, as the peak industry body for the
state’s electrical contractors, has been selected
as the Facilitator for the delivery of the program.
For more information about the Tasmanian
CPD scheme for electrical contractors, please
visit