Introduction
ACAA conducts a Continuing Professional Development program (CPD) so that each member can maintain and update their knowledge and improve their skills to better service client needs.
Participation in the program is compulsory for all accredited members and all associate members planning to upgrade to accredited member status in the future.
This page outlines the requirements and procedures of the ACAA CPD program.
Program overview
The CPD program provides a two-tiered arrangement which recognises:
- Associate members are on a learning path and additional time and learning is required to reach the level of expertise and knowledge required for accreditation.
- Existing accredited members have attained the requisite knowledge to be accredited while maintaining and updating knowledge is less intensive and requires less time.
Similar to other professional associations, the CPD program incorporates formal and informal learning activities which is further explained in the following section.
The CPD program covers a 3-year rolling requirement for points achieved from a range of activities with annual milestones to be achieved as shown below.
|
Accredited Members |
Associate Members |
|||||
|
Total |
Formal |
Informal |
Total |
Formal |
Informal |
|
|
3-year minimum points |
60 |
40 |
Nil |
90 |
60 |
Nil |
|
1-year minimum points |
20 |
10 |
Nil |
30 |
20 |
Nil |
|
1-year maximum points |
40 |
no limit |
20 |
60 |
no limit |
30 |
While the above points are mandatory to maintain accredited member status, associate members are only required to participate and record their CPD activities if they are likely to seek accreditation at some future point in time.
There is no upper limit applied to formal CPD activities.
Affiliate members seeking to transition to Associate status may also participate in the CPD program and record their CPD activities.
Documentary evidence must be provided to support all points claimed. This could include copies of academic records, statements of attendance, registration forms, reports, papers, Committee minutes, letters of appointment and the like.
Points Criteria, Activities and Suitable Evidence
Approved activities can consist of a mixture of Formal Learning (Courses, Conferences, Seminars, Webinars) and Informal Learning (mentoring, attending Industry Meetings, e-Learning, research, etc). Points awarded for these activities are listed below. For a printable version of this this table download CPD Guidelines and Activity Log
| Code |
Activity |
Points Allocated |
Suitable Evidence |
Max. Points |
|
Activity A: Formal Courses Members wishing to gain points for academic courses should submit the course details to or obtain a list of approved courses from ACAA. |
No upper limit |
|||
| A1 | Approved Access Consulting Courses - Certificate IV (40 pts), Diploma Bridging Course (20 pts), Diploma (60 pts), Degree and Postgraduate level courses | 1 point per hour of classroom study successfully completed | Academic record, certificate of completion. | No upper limit |
| A2 | Approved courses delivered by an RTO for which a Certificate of Attendance is awarded | 1 point per hour of online or classroom study | Certificate or statement of attainment/attendance. | No upper limit |
|
Activity B: Formal Conferences, Seminars, Webinars, On-line courses ACAA organised events are deemed as approved. B3 Activities organised by other organisations shall require approval by the ACAA. |
No upper limit | |||
| B1 |
ACAA Conference |
10 points per day full attendance |
Certificate of attendance. |
No upper limit |
| B2 |
ACAA State/Territory Access Consultant Network meetings, Seminars, Webinars or AGM |
1 point per hour |
ACAA web confirmation of attendance or meeting minutes which records attendees. |
20 |
| B3 |
Approved conferences, webinars seminars, workshops conducted by organisations where the subject material is directly relevant to Access Consulting. |
1 point per hour |
Certificate of attendance, program plus payment receipt or registration. |
20 |
|
Activity C: Informal Learning – Committee Work Representation, by appointment, on government and industry committees or working parties concerned with technical or professional matters relating to access is deemed as approved. Voluntary Committee work is also approved for access committees (Code C2). |
20 | |||
| C1 |
National, State and Local Government and Industry (e.g. Standards Australia, AIA) committees by appointment. |
1 point per hour |
Meeting minutes |
20 |
| C2 |
Voluntary Access committees includes State/Territory Access Consultants Network meetings (elected or self-appointed). |
1 point per 2-hour meeting |
Meeting minutes |
5 |
|
Activity D: Informal Learning – Professional, Technical Activities & e-Learning Members applying for points for lecturing or publication of papers should submit an outline to the ACAA for approval. |
20 |
|||
| D1 |
Mentoring and supervision of developing access skills (go to the ACAA Mentoring webpage to record activities). |
1 per two-hour period | ACAA webpage log. |
20 |
| D2 |
Preparation and presentation of publications, lectures, submissions and papers on approved access related topics. Feature articles in Access Insight (AI) |
5 per paper / publication (min 1000 words) 2 per lecture / presentation of 30-45 min AI Feature Articles, 1 point per 250words |
Copy of the paper/publication or lecture/presentation. 1 claim can only be made for each discrete topic (paper or presentation) per annum. |
10 |
| D3 | Attendance at approved trade shows/presentations, reading technical journals, researching papers, e-learning and YouTube videos. | 1 point per 2-hour minimum attendance | Registration form, diary list of books, research papers and weblinks. | 10 |
Record Keeping
Accredited members are required to maintain CPD records as a condition of membership and are required to confirm they are maintaining the necessary CPD record with their annual membership renewal. An annual Statement of Competency will be issued to accredited members with their membership renewal.
Associate members who are seeking accreditation at some future point in time are only required to participate and record their CPD activities.
Affiliate members seek to transition to Associate status may also participate and record their CPD activities.
CPD activity submissions and fees
Members can record CPD activities individually (no form required) or annually (using the CPD Guidelines and Activity Log)
Recording ACAA event CPD points
Members do not need to record attendance at official ACAA events, these points will be automatically updated to your CPD records.
Recording non ACAA CPD points - online facility
Members can enter either individual or annual activity returns using the online recording and submission webpage at NO fee for either individual or annual activity returns.
Please refer to the CPD Online Instructions for assistance, if required.
Recording non ACAA CPD points - offline
From the start of the 2018-2019 financial year/membership renewal period, an administration fee of $100 will apply to annual or individual CPD activity returns received by post, email or fax.
Such returns must be submitted to the ACAA Secretary, 20 Maud Street, Geelong, VIC 3220.
An application for an exemption from the fee will be considered by those unable to use the on-line self service by writing a formal letter to the ACAA.
CPD Audits
Members will be randomly audited during a three-year cycle to ensure Activity Returns have been kept. Documentary evidence to support the points claimed must be provided as part of the audit.
Details of any special circumstances can be submitted for consideration.
The status of previously submitted returns can be viewed on Check your CPD Results.
Approved activities or events
Providers offering training can request new activities or events be included on the upcoming events list. All providers and events must be pre-approved by the ACAA.
To submit an event for approval, please go to the CPD approved activity/event submission webpage.
Members applying for points for lecturing or publication of papers or who are unsure whether an activity will be approved should submit an enquiry or outline to the ACAA for approval by email to office@access.asn.au
Go to the ACAA Conference or Upcoming events web pages for examples of approved activities.