Mutual recognition of certifiers could cause problems

The Swimming Pool and Spa Alliance has recently submitted a detailed submission to the

Building Professionals Board (BPB) regarding the accreditation of swimming pool certifiers in NSW.

While much that is raised in the comprehensive submission has been discussed previously on these pages, it raises an interesting new point regarding the proposed mutual recognition of Queensland certifiers.

Basically, while NSW pool technicians seem likely to miss out on the opportunity to certify pools, Queensland techs may be able to cross the border and carry out that very work.

The Queensland experience

The submission provides a background to the Queensland experience. When swimming pool barrier inspections first commenced in Queensland, it was originally proposed that the pool safety inspections would only be conducted by licensed Building Certifiers and staff of the local councils.

However, with approximately 300,000 swimming pools with a high percentage not complying with the new pool safety standard, it became evident that limiting persons authorised to conduct inspections would mean insufficient resources resulting in enormous delays in the certification process.

Consequently, it became necessary to introduce a new licence category of Pool Safety Inspector.

To apply for a Pool Safety Inspector license in Queensland, interested parties simply need to complete a qualification or statement of attainment issued by a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) that delivers the ‘Accredited’ 31005QLD - ‘Course in Swimming Pool Safety Inspections’ as well as hold the required professional indemnity insurance.

Mutual recognition

The Alliance’s report refers to a BPB brochure that states “licensed swimming pool safety inspectors from Queensland will be able to apply to the Board for accreditation under the Mutual Recognition Act (NSW) 1992 to work as an E1 private certifier in NSW.”

The Alliance submits the mutual recognition proposal in its current form is unsound, unworkable and detrimental to the NSW industry, homeowners and to the overarching principal of achieving compliance.

Of key concern is that interested parties wishing to apply to become a Pool Safety Inspector in Queensland only need complete a qualification or statement of attainment issued by an RTO delivering the 31005QLD - ‘Course in Swimming Pool Safety Inspections’ as well hold the required professional indemnity insurance.

Many Pool Safety Inspectors in Queensland are not builders, pool builders, pool and spa technicians or even from the construction or property industry, but will be able to access mutual recognition in NSW.

The Alliance questions why swimming pool and spa technicians located in Queensland should be able to apply to become pool safety inspectors and then access mutual recognition when the same class of person in NSW is completely excluded.

Different standards

Pool Safety Inspectors in Queensland operate and have been trained under Australian Standard AS1926.1-2007 whereas NSW has adopted Australian Standard 1926.1-2012.

The Alliance says that differences between the two Standards, Act, Regulation, Building Code of Australia and dissimilar governmental policy principals provide an unworkable and confusing message for the industry, tradespeople and homeowners.

Also worth considering is what disciplinary or complaints process will mutual recognised participants fall under: the BPB in NSW or the Pool Safety Council in Queensland?

However, if it goes one way, the Alliance argues it should also go the other, and says it is not unreasonable to expect the BPB to have established a reciprocal mutual recognition arrangement with the pool safety council in Queensland.

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