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Australian Engineers Registration Act?

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floobydust:
I think it goes back to the early 1800's when anyone could claim to be an engineer. Buildings and railroad bridges etc. collapsed and it was a problem back then, nevermind the Sydney Opal tower fiasco today. Australia is likely trying to copy other parts of the world with the Act.

The disadvantage is high membership dues ($415/year) in order to support the fat and overhead of a bloated association that largely does nothing for the profession beyond registration and licensing. Here the engineering association keeps trying to include software engineering, "stamped" so you are responsible for software that can cause injury or loss, even though software correctness is not provable.

As I've said many times, there still is a problem in the profession in that anyone can call themselves "engineering manager" or "engineering director" etc. If you use the word "engineer" in your job title or company's website for services provided, the engineering association will come after you unless you are licensed and have a Permit to Practice.
Many times engineers have non-engineers for managers who push around the noobs and direct them to skirt around safety and exploit loopholes, to rush a project and save  money.

When the bridge collapses, they go on a head hunt for whoever reviewed and stamped the drawings, as they should. But when the planes crash, nothing was really done for Boeing's corruption in the 737 Max's engineering.
Engineers are still the fall guy for corrupt leadership or a corporation that will not let them design/test properly. Tesla seems to be able to make mistakes with autonomous vehicle S/W and nobody goes to jail there.

So registering engineers will not really guarantee safe buildings, bridges, products etc. Defective/corner-cutting manufacturing can also generate unsafe products.
Registration would be a small step forward at great expense to engineers. But still zero consequences for the CEO and other usual crooks.

beanflying:
Don't confuse 'voluntary' membership or not in Engineers Aust with this State Government registration. EA is and is always likely to remain independent and not a requirement of the Government scheme application. I only included their seemingly broad support for this scheme going forward for context. As we are a Commonwealth of States in particular it is already Difficult for a National Body to try and act in any oversight role at State level.

There is no final cost per year and no application form or requirements in print yet for the Victorian plan and as far as I am aware only Queensland has adopted this sort of scheme https://ablis.business.gov.au/service/qld/certificate-of-registration-as-a-registered-professional-engineer/4331

Quick look at the costs of a few hundred $AUD is less than a lot of other Professions for Government Registration. Even the Sparky in Qld gets slugged $400+

Those most effected by the Vic proposal will be sole Engineers as they need to comply individually, companies will not require individual employees to be Registered members of the State scheme but the Companies will need to apply.

james_s:
I guess it depends on what "engineer" means. I can call myself an engineer and indeed my employer does. What I can't do is call myself a P.E. or do the things that require a P.E. to do.

gnuarm:

--- Quote from: james_s on March 17, 2021, 05:12:41 am ---I guess it depends on what "engineer" means. I can call myself an engineer and indeed my employer does. What I can't do is call myself a P.E. or do the things that require a P.E. to do.

--- End quote ---

The terms and the regulations vary of course.  It all depends on where you choose to commit your crimes.

Kerlin:
I my self am a non degree Electronics Engineer, thrashed every degree carrying engineer I ever met in my time.

One of my methods of gaining contract work was to pick up their uncompleted projects and demand a high price for finishing them, worked many times as the poor manufacturer was often holding an overdue purchase order from a buyer.
In those cases just show up with a completed prototype and name the price.

Your assuming that degree people have a good name in the Electronics industry, I would check on that.
At the moment employers prefer non degree Engineers, as they have the biggest name in the Electronics industry.
As one of my overseas distributors used to say to when he wanted to put some one down " He would have to have a degree that fellow, wouldn't he ?".

These regulatory type moves are not competitive and dumb they only retard the country as others always find very very simple ways around them.
There are other qualifications of much much greater value than a degree.
If you are good at what you do you don't need protection, you'll be in high demand.


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