SA Pivot on Engineering Registration

As soon as EIDA became aware that the SA Government was planning mandatory registration for those performing engineering work in, or for, South Australia along the lines of the Victorian model we engaged with manufacturers and product designers in the SA electronics industry.  It was readily apparent that if it was implemented and enforced as proposed it would have been very detrimental to the local industry. 

That was the start of a journey that neared completion a week ago.

The good news is that the SA government were willing to listen and unlike in Victoria they had someone to listen to other than professional engineers’ associations who stand to gain handsomely from the fees involved and can leave industry to deal with the mess.  

EIDA worked with South Australia’s most significant companies that design and manufacture electronics and hi tech products to make submissions and attend in person representations to cabinet members.

A week ago, we got news that a decision had been made that the scheme will go ahead only for a section of the construction industry where there has been some evidence of unprofessional behaviour.  By being specific, the requirements for registration can also be specific to the issue being targeted.

This is where EIDA as an industry association stands on its own. There are other industry associations but they tend to be very broad and so pay most of their attention to matters that impact industry broadly like minimum wages and workers compensation schemes. But the advanced manufacturers in the electronics industry have different matters that are critical for their success – like not having skills shortages made worse by registration schemes that won’t help with public safety.

If you are interested in the mess we dodged you can read this article https://eida.asn.au/topic/the-unspoken-issue-dividing-australia/ 

If you want a stronger EIDA going forward consider joining by emailing contact@eida.asn.au.