Media statement from Commerce Minister – Hon Roger Cook BA GradDipBus MBA MLA

• Boost for safety, confidence and consumer protection as McGowan Government approves preparation for new regulations to register building engineers
• Western Australia's first ever engineer registration scheme
• Part of suite of reforms to modernise and improve WA's building regulatory framework

The McGowan Government has approved the preparation of new regulations to register building engineers as part of a reform package to improve regulation of Western Australia's building industry.

WA's first ever engineer registration scheme is expected to involve around 900 building engineers.

Registration will provide greater accountability and consistency of engineering services while improving public safety and consumer protection, as well as increasing professional recognition of building engineers.

A regulatory impact statement supporting the registration is available on the Building and Energy website.

The regulations are the first part of the McGowan Government's suite of reforms aimed at modernising and improving WA's building regulatory framework in response to recommendations from the national Building Confidence Report.

Following public consultations, recommendations are also being finalised on changes to the approval processes for residential and commercial buildings, as well as the registration of builders and related occupations.

The engineer registration scheme addresses the Building Confidence Report's first three recommendations.

The registration scheme is expected to increase building compliance, reduce rectification costs, increase public confidence in the building industry and provide a formal recourse process for substandard engineering work.

Discussions with peak engineering associations and further consultation with industry will take place as the regulations are prepared. A code of conduct will also be introduced to ensure that building quality, standards and integrity are met.

Comments attributed to Commerce Minister Roger Cook:

"Registering engineers for the first time in Western Australia means the Government can provide another layer of confidence to building owners that their buildings are compliant and constructed to the expected standard.

"Overwhelmingly, the local building industry plays by the rules. Once in place, these new regulations will provide the construction industry and community with a formal process to make complaints against building engineers and for action to be taken to stop any misconduct.

"The Government is continuing its work on other reforms to modernise and improve Western Australia's building regulatory framework by addressing the recommendations from the national Building Confidence Report."

• Minister's office - 6552 6500
• Original statement: https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/McGowan/2022/07/Western-Australia-steps-closer-to-registration-of-building-engineers.aspx