Approval of Professional Standards Scheme - New South Wales

Description

You will need this approval if you are an occupational association and intend to create a Professional Standards Scheme. An occupational association is an organisation that represents the interests of members of a profession or trade. The scheme aims to help improve the standards of professionals that are a part of occupational associations.

A scheme limits the occupational liability of members of an occupational association. Occupational liability is civil liability arising from anything done by a person while performing their job. Approval is only available for schemes that operate within New South Wales and those which operate within New South Wales and another Australian state or territory.

A scheme requires its members to have insurance and business assets which are sufficient to pay damages to anyone harmed by their wrongdoing. It also places a limit on the amount of damages that may be awarded.

Each proposed scheme will be individually assessed by the Council and consideration will be given to its broader impact on the particular industry and affected individuals.

Please consult the Contact Officer for more information.

Service type

Licence

A licence defines the need to obtain recognition / certification and registration to undertake a certain business activity.

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for approval of a Professional Standards Indemnity Limitation Scheme, you must:

  • be an occupational association
  • have appropriate risk management strategies
  • ensure there is available insurance for your proposed scheme
  • use the scheme template provided by the council
  • address all the considerations contained in the application guidelines
  • satisfy other conditions as provided in the appropriate Act.

Please consult the Contact Officer for more information regarding eligibility requirements.

Ongoing eligibility requirements

You must submit an annual report to the Professional Standards Council detailing the following information:

  • any continuing professional development programs that have been undertaken
  • data on complaints and disciplinary hearings
  • details of your long term risk management strategy
  • data on insurance claims made against your members
  • use of disclosure statement
  • your audit certificates.

Commencement

Your Professional Standards Indemnity will begin on a date you have specified if a court does not order a start date.

Duration

You may specify the expiry date of your scheme.

Fees

Fees Details for this service in table format.

Task Type Business Structure Amount Description
Apply Application All $5000.00

Fee per jurisdiction in which scheme will operate.
Apply Licence All $50.00

Annual fee per member of scheme.

Other resources

Task Business Structure Resources
Comply All Application Guidelines - PDF (Opens in new window)

Act(s) name

Professional Standards Act 1994 NSW

Regulation(s) name

Professional Standards Regulation 2014 NSW

Additional information

The Professional Standards Council offers assistance in forming Professional Standards Indemnity Limitation Schemes.

A scheme maybe able to operate across multiple states and territories.

A scheme may not be in force for more than 5 years.

The council may conduct a public hearing on the proposed scheme if they consider it appropriate.

Administering agency

Professional Standards Council

Contact details

Contact Email, Phone and Address Details for this service in simple two column table format, header then data.

Enquiries

Professional Standards Council
Operating address: St James Centre
Level 2
111 Elizabeth Street
Sydney, New South Wales 2000
Mailing address: GPO BOX 4021
Sydney, New South Wales 2001
Phone: 02 8315 0800
Phone: 1300 555 772
Email: pscinfo@psc.gov.au
Website: Professional Standards Council (Opens in new window)