Design practitioner work - qualifications and experience
Design practitioners must meet eligibility requirements to register for the NSW Design and Building Practitioners scheme, including approved qualifications and experience. You can register for more than one design practitioner class.
Key information
You must meet eligibility requirements to register for the Design and Building Practitioners (DBP) scheme (‘the scheme’) in NSW.
As a design practitioner, you only need to register if you:
prepare regulated designs
declare that the designs follow the Building Code of Australia and other relevant standards.
If you are a qualified design practitioner from interstate, you still need to register to work on regulated buildings in NSW.
You can register for more than one design practitioner class.
You need to meet the relevant eligibility criteria for each class you apply for.
You cannot register if you are an undischarged bankrupt.
When you will need to register
You need to register if:
- you are working on a regulated building. This is a class 2, 3, or 9c building or a building that includes a class 2, 3, or 9c part.
- you prepare regulated designs and make a design compliance declaration about those designs.
- you are a principal design practitioner who co-ordinates and lodges designs by other design practitioners for the building practitioner
- you are a qualified design practitioner from interstate who wants to work in NSW
- you are a professional engineer or architect from interstate who is eligible under Automatic Mutual Recognition (AMR).
Registering a body corporate
Under this scheme, a body corporate is a corporation or an incorporated association. It is not an owners corporation. A body corporate cannot be a Trust or a Partnership.
A body corporate needs to register as a design practitioner or principal design practitioner to:
- make compliance declarations for class 2, 3 or 9c buildings or buildings with a class 2, 3 or 9c part
- lodge regulated designs on the NSW Planning Portal.
Note: You must be the director of a body corporate to apply for this registration.
Time frames for licensing and registration applications
Find out about the current application processing times for different licence and registration categories.
Before you register
Mandatory Construct NSW online modules
Before you register as an individual, complete these online modules:
- Navigating the Design and Building Practitioners (DBP) Legislation, and,
- The Value of Australian Standards.
Visit the Construct NSW Digital Learning Platform to learn more.
Eligibility
You can register for more than one design practitioner class. You need to meet the relevant eligibility requirements for each class you apply for. You cannot register if you are an undischarged bankrupt.
To be eligible to register you need to:
- be aged 18 or over
- have the required qualifications, experience, skills and knowledge.
- have a current National Police Certificate that is no older than 4 months from when you submit your application (name and date of birth check only)
- have completed and passed the 2 mandatory Construct NSW learning modules
- meet insurance requirements.
Note: For the design practitioner – building design class, you can only register to work on class 3 and 9c buildings and must have a masters degree in building design or architectural design.
To register as a principal design practitioner, you must already be registered as a design practitioner in an eligible class, or you can submit an application for both a design practitioner and a principal design practitioner at the same time.
Who cannot register
You cannot become a principal design practitioner if you are registered as a design practitioner in the following classes:
- Building Design (low rise)
- Building Design (medium rise)
- Drainage (restricted)
- Vertical Transportation.
A body corporate can register as a design practitioner to prepare regulated designs and make compliance declarations provided, they:
- have an employee registered as a design practitioner in the relevant class, and
- only prepare designs and lodge declarations in the class that the design practitioner is registered in.
A body corporate can have several employees who are registered practitioners.
To be eligible to apply, each member of the body corporate must:
- be aged 18 or over
- be a director of a body corporate
- have a current National Police Certificate that is no older than 4 months from when you submit your application (name and date of birth check only).
- complete and sign a declaration form for each director of the body corporate, other than the applicant.
Note: A current ASIC extract listing all directors of the body corporate is required.
A body corporate can register as a principal design practitioner to coordinate the provision of design compliance declarations and make a principal compliance declaration provided, they have an employee registered as a principal design practitioner – general class.
To be eligible to apply, each member of the body corporate must:
- be aged 18 or over
- be a director of a body corporate
- have a current National Police Certificate that is no older than 4 months from when you submit your application (name and date of birth check only).
Qualification and experience requirements
Find the qualifications and experience needed for different classes of design practitioner below.
Note: If you worked on two or more building sites at the same time, it will be counted as one period only when calculating your equivalent full-time work experience.
Details about your project experience
You need to provide information for your experience gained within the last 10 years, including the:
- Project address
- DA/CC/CDC number
- Building class
- Licensed builder or principal contractor responsible for the project
- Employer or contractor who engaged you for the project
- Dates you started and finished the work
- Name and contact details of a referee who can confirm these details.
Only the person who will declare or lodge designs needs to register.
Design practitioner – architectural and engineering classes
Professional engineers who also want to prepare regulated designs and make compliance declarations will need to register twice in the scheme, namely:
- register as a professional engineer under the registration scheme, and
- register as a design practitioner in your respective engineering class. This second step means you can prepare regulated designs and make compliance declarations.
You can apply for both registrations in the same application.
An architectural service is related to the design, planning or construction of buildings ordinarily provided by architects.
Qualification
You must be a fully licensed architect and recorded as currently practicing by the NSW Architects Registration Board.
Experience
There are two ways you can demonstrate your experience:
Pathway 1
You must have:
- at least 10 years’ experience in the last 15 years, including 2 years in Australia
- worked as an architect on a class 2, 3, 5, 6, 8 or 9 building, with at least 3 years’ experience working on either a class 2, 3, 9a or 9c building.
Pathway 2
You must have:
- at least 5 years’ practical experience in the last 10 years, including 2 years in Australia
- worked as an architect on a class 2, 3, 9a or 9c building.
Practitioners can include the 2 years of pre-registration practical experience required by the NSW Architects Registration Board in their 5 years of experience.
Choose this class to be authorised to prepare regulated designs and make compliance declarations in relation to an architectural service for low-rise buildings. Architectural service means a service provided in connection with the design, planning or construction of buildings that is ordinarily provided by architects.
Low-rise defined
A low-rise building means a building or a building containing a class currently regulated under the DBP scheme that:
- has a maximum gross floor area of no more than 2,000m2, but
- does not include a building that is a Type A or Type B construction.
For further information on Type A and Type B construction refer to Volume 1 Specification C1.1 of the Building Code of Australia.
Qualifications
You must be a fully licensed architect and recorded as currently practicing by the NSW Architects Registration Board.
Experience
You must have:
- at least 5 years’ equivalent practical experience in the last 10 years, including 2 years in Australia
- experience relevant as an architect in a class 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9a, 9b, or 9c building.
Practitioners can include the 2 years of pre-registration practical experience required by the NSW Architects Registration Board in their 5 years of experience.
Choose this class to be authorised to prepare regulated designs and make compliance declarations in relation to an architectural service for medium-rise buildings. Architectural service means a service provided in connection with the design, planning or construction of buildings that is ordinarily provided by architects.
Medium-rise defined
Medium-rise building means a building or a building containing a class currently regulated under the DBP scheme, limited to:
- a maximum of 3 storeys; or
- a maximum of 4 storeys (where the ground level or first storey is classified as a class 7a building (carpark)).
Medium rise building does not include Type A construction (for class 4, 5, 6, 7b and 8).
Qualification
You must be a fully licensed architect and recorded as currently practicing by the NSW Architects Registration Board.
Experience
You must have:
- at least 5 years equivalent practical experience in the last 10 years, including 2 years in Australia
- experience relevant as an architect in a class 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9a, 9b or 9c building.
Practitioners can include the 2 years of pre-registration practical experience required by the NSW Architects Registration Board in their 5 years of experience.
Civil engineering involves the research, design, construction, and maintenance of the built environment.
Exclusions
A design practitioner in this class cannot declare designs relating to:
- the façade of a building
- an area of geotechnical engineering and
- the integration of a vertical transportation product in a building.
Qualification
Before you can register as a design practitioner in an engineering class, you must be registered under the scheme as a professional engineer – civil. You can apply for both registration classes in the same application.
Experience
You must have:
- at least 5 years’ practical experience in the last 10 years including 2 years in Australia
- relevant experience in civil engineering involving a class 2, 3, 9a or 9c building.
Electrical engineering involves equipment, devices, plant and systems that use electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism.
Exclusions
A Design Practitioner in this class cannot declare designs relating to the integration of a vertical transportation product in a building.
Qualification
Before you can register as a design practitioner in an engineering class, you must be registered under the scheme as a professional engineer – electrical. You can apply for both registration classes in the same application.
Experience
You must have:
- at least 5 years’ practical experience in the last 10 years including 2 years in Australia
- relevant experience in electrical engineering involving a class 2, 3, 9a or 9c building.
Fire safety engineering does work involving the fire performance of buildings including materials and structures; fire systems including components; safety and human behaviour in the event of a fire; and the prevention, detection and suppression of fire.
Qualification
Before you can register as a design practitioner in an engineering class, you must be registered under the scheme as a professional engineer – fire safety. You can apply for both registration classes in the same application.
Experience
You must have:
- at least 5 years’ practical experience in the last 10 years including 2 years in Australia
- relevant experience in fire safety engineering involving a class 2, 3, 9a or 9c building.
Geotechnical engineering involves the mechanics of soil and rocks as applied to design and construction foundations. It includes retaining structures, shoring excavations, and ground bearing structure for buildings.
Exclusions
This class does not include activities that involve only geology or earth science, for example a geology degree without any design and construction component.
Qualification
Before you can register as a design practitioner in an engineering class, you must be registered under the scheme as a professional engineer – geotechnical. You can apply for both registration classes in the same application.
Experience
You must have:
- at least 5 years’ practical experience in the last 10 years including 2 years in Australia
- relevant experience in geotechnical engineering involving a class 2, 3, 9a or 9c building.
Mechanical engineering involves work related to devices, machines, structures, and processes and mechanical systems. Mechanical systems include heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and air distribution, smoke control and exhaust and stairwell pressurisation.
Exclusions
A Design Practitioner in this class cannot declare designs relating to the integration of a vertical transportation product in a building.
Qualification
Before you can register as a design practitioner in an engineering class, you must be registered under the scheme as a professional engineer – mechanical. You can apply for both registration classes in the same application.
Experience
You must have:
- at least 5 years’ practical experience in the last 10 years including 2 years in Australia
- relevant experience in mechanical engineering involving a class 2, 3, 9a or 9c building.
Structural engineering involves the understanding, prediction and calculation of:
- the stability, strength and rigidity of built structures, and
- how structures and buildings resist and transfer natural and other forces.
Qualification
Before you can register as a design practitioner in an engineering class, you must be registered under the scheme as a professional engineer – structural. You can apply for both registration classes in the same application.
Experience
You must have:
- at least 5 years’ practical experience in the last 10 years including 2 years in Australia
- relevant experience in structural engineering involving a class 2, 3, 9a or 9c building.
Design practitioner – other classes
Only the person who will declare or lodge designs needs to register.
Registration in this class allows you to prepare regulated designs and make compliance declarations related to class 3 or 9c buildings only (subject to the requirements in the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000).
Exclusions
A design practitioner in this class can only work on class 3 or 9c buildings and cannot declare designs relating to:
- an architectural service
- professional engineering work
- fire systems (detection and alarm systems)
- fire systems (fire sprinkler)
- fire systems (fire hydrant and fire hose reel) or
- fire systems (mechanic smoke control).
Qualification
Either:
Postgraduate masters degree from an Australian university in Building Design
or
Postgraduate master's degree from an Australian university in Architectural Design.
Experience
You must have:
- at least 5 years’ practical experience in the last 10 years including 2 years in Australia
- relevant experience in building design involving a class 2, 3, 9a or 9c building.
Registration in this class allows you to prepare regulated designs and make compliance declarations related to a low-rise building (subject to the requirements in the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000, relating to the design of a residential apartment development).
If you are already registered as a design practitioner – architectural, you do not need to register separately in this class to declare designs on low rise buildings.
Low-rise defined
Low-rise building means a class 2 building or a building containing a class 2 part that:
- has a maximum gross floor area of no more than 2,000m2, but
- does not include a building that is Type A or Type B construction.
For further information on Type A and Type B construction refer to Volume 1 Specification C1.1 of the Building Code of Australia.
Exclusions
A design practitioner in this class can only work on low-rise buildings and cannot declare designs relating to:
- an architectural service
- professional engineering work
- fire systems (detection and alarm systems)
- fire systems (fire sprinkler)
- fire systems (fire hydrant and fire hose reel) or
- fire systems (mechanic smoke control).
Qualification
Either:
Diploma in Building Design
or
Diploma in Architectural Design.
Experience
You must have:
- at least 5 years’ practical experience in the last 10 years including 2 years in Australia
- relevant experience in building design involving a class 2, 3, 9a or 9c building.
Registration in this class allows you to prepare regulated designs and make compliance declarations related to a medium-rise building (subject to the requirements in the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000, relating to the design of a residential apartment development).
If you are already registered as a design practitioner – architectural, you do not separately need to register in this class to declare designs on medium rise buildings.
Medium-rise defined
Medium-rise building means a class 2 building or a building containing a class 2 part, limited to:
- a maximum of 3 storeys; or
- a maximum of 4 storeys (where the ground level or first storey is classified as a class 7a building (carpark)).
Medium rise building does not include Type A construction (for class 4, 5, 6, 7b and 8).
Exclusions
A design practitioner in this class can only work on medium-rise buildings and cannot make designs relating to:
- an architectural service
- professional engineering work
- fire systems (detection and alarm systems)
- fire systems (fire sprinkler)
- fire systems (fire hydrant and fire hose reel) or
- fire systems (mechanic smoke control).
Inclusions
Registration as a design practitioner - medium-rise extends to work covered by the low-rise class. You do not need to register for low-rise work as well.
Qualification
Either an:
Associate degree (or higher) in building design
or
Associate degree (or higher) in architectural design
or
Advanced diploma (or higher) in building design
or
Advanced diploma (or higher) in architectural design.
Experience
You must have:
- at least 5 years’ practical experience in the last 10 years including 2 years in Australia
- relevant experience in building design involving a class 2, 3, 9a or 9c building.
Registration in this class allows you to prepare designs related to the façade of a building.
Qualification
You must have a 4-year undergraduate degree, a postgraduate masters’ degree, an Australian1 or foreign university qualification assessed as equivalent2 , in:
- civil engineering
- mechanical engineering
- structural engineering, or,
- engineering (with a major in any of the above).
Notes:
- An Australian university or tertiary institution which has signed the Washington Accord.
- Assessed as equivalent by an assessing authority for the skilled occupation of civil engineer or mechanical engineer.
Experience
You must have:
- at least 5 years’ practical experience in the last 10 years including 2 years in Australia
- relevant experience in engineering involving a class 2, 3, 9a or 9c building.
This allows a design practitioner to be registered to prepare designs and make compliance declarations related to the integration of a vertical transportation product (elevator, escalator or moving walkway) for a building.
Qualification
There are various pathways for you to become a design practitioner – vertical transportation:
Pathway 1
You must have a 4-year undergraduate degree, a postgraduate masters’ degree, an Australian1 or foreign university2 qualification assessed as equivalent, in:
- electrical engineering,
- mechanical engineering, or,
- engineering (with a major in any of the above),
and must have completed either:
- recognition or registration as a Professional Engineer in an area of vertical transportation engineering by a recognised engineering body,
or
- completed a competency assessment with Engineers Australia.
Pathway 2
You must have a 4-year undergraduate degree, a postgraduate masters’ degree, an Australian1 or foreign university2 qualification assessed as equivalent, in:
- engineering (with a major in vertical transportation engineering), or
- vertical transportation engineering.
Notes:
- An Australian university or tertiary institution which has signed the Washington Accord.
- Assessed as equivalent by an assessing authority for the skilled occupation of vertical transportation engineering.
Experience
You must have:
at least 5 years’ practical experience in the last 10 years including 2 years in Australia
relevant experience in engineering involving a class 2, 3, 9a or 9c building.
Design practitioner - fire systems and drainage
Only the person who will declare or lodge designs will need to register.
Choose this class to be authorised to prepare regulated designs and make compliance declarations in relation to fire detection and alarm system or an emergency and intercommunication system for a building.
Qualifications
You must meet the qualification requirements in one of the 2 pathways below.
Pathway 1
You must have completed a Diploma of Fire Systems Design (CPC50520 (current) / CPC50509 / a more recent equivalent version) from a nationally recognised registered training organisation that has the qualification listed on its scope of registration on the National Register under the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011 including the successful completion of these units of competency (or a more recent equivalent version of these units of competency):
training.gov.au
- CPCPCM4013 (current) / CPCPCM4013A Produce 2-D architectural drawings using CAD software
- CPCSFS5003 (current) / CPCSFS5003A Develop plans and methodology for fire systems design projects
- CPCSFS5008 (current) / CPCSFS5008A Create detailed designs for fire detection and warning systems
- CPCSFS5011 (current) / CPCSFS5011A Provide design documentation and review and support fire system installation processes
- CPCSFS5013 (current) / CPCSFS5013A Support commissioning processes and finalise fire systems design projects.
Pathway 2
You must have completed an Engineering degree from an Australian university or a qualification under a program accredited by Engineers Australia with the following units of competency (or a more recent equivalent version of these units of competency):
- CPCSFS5001 (current) / CPCSFS5001A Define scope and hazard level of fire systems design projects
- CPCSFS5002 (current) / CPCSFS5002A Research and interpret detailed fire systems design project requirements
- CPCSFS5003 (current) / CPCSFS5003A Develop plans and methodology for fire systems design projects
- CPCSFS5005 (current) / CPCSFS5005A Research and evaluate fire system technologies and components
- CPCSFS5008 (current) / CPCSFS5008A Create detailed designs for fire detection and warning systems
- CPCSFS5011 (current) / CPCSFS5011A Provide design documentation and review and support fire system installation processes
- CPCSFS5013 (current) / CPCSFS5013A Support commissioning processes and finalise fire systems design projects
Experience
You must have:
- at least 5 years’ practical experience in the last 10 years including 2 years in Australia
- relevant experience in engineering involving a class 2, 3, 9a or 9c building.
Choose this class to be authorised to prepare regulated designs and make compliance declarations in relation to a fire sprinkler system for a building.
Qualifications
You must meet the qualification requirements in one of the 3 pathways below.
Pathway 1
You must have completed a Diploma of Fire Systems Design (CPC50520 (current) / CPC50509) from a nationally recognised registered training organisation that has the qualification listed on its scope of registration on the National Register under the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011 including the successful completion of these units of competency (or a more recent equivalent version of these units of competency):
- CPCPCM4013 (current) / CPCPCM4013A Produce 2-D architectural drawings using CAD software
- CPCSFS5003 (current) / CPCSFS5003A Develop plans and methodology for fire systems design projects
- CPCSFS5006 (current) / CPCSFS5006A Create detailed designs for fire sprinkler systems
- CPCSFS5009 (current) / CPCSFS5009A Create detailed designs for fire systems’ water supplies
- CPCSFS5010 (current) / CPCSFS5010A Provide documentation and support for fabrication of fire sprinkler systems
- CPCSFS5011 (current) / CPCSFS5011A Provide design documentation and review and support fire system installation processes
- CPCSFS5013 (current) / CPCSFS5013A Support commissioning processes and finalise fire systems design projects.
Pathway 2
You must have completed an Engineering degree from an Australian university or a qualification under a program accredited by Engineers Australia with the following units of competency (or a more recent equivalent version of these units of competency):
- CPCSFS5001 (current) / CPCSFS5001A Define scope and hazard level of fire systems design projects
- CPCSFS5002 (current) / CPCSFS5002A Research and interpret detailed fire systems design project requirements
- CPCSFS5003 (current) / CPCSFS5003A Develop plans and methodology for fire systems design projects
- CPCSFS5005 (current) / CPCSFS5005A Research and evaluate fire system technologies and components
- CPCSFS5006 (current) / CPCSFS5006A Create detailed designs for fire sprinkler systems
- CPCSFS5009 (current) / CPCSFS5009A Create detailed designs for fire systems’ water supplies
- CPCSFS5010 (current) / CPCSFS5010A Provide documentation and support for fabrication of fire sprinkler systems
- CPCSFS5011 (current) / CPCSFS5011A Provide design documentation and review and support fire system installation processes
- CPCSFS5013 (current) / CPCSFS5013A Support commissioning processes and finalise fire systems design projects
Pathway 3
You must have completed a Diploma of Hydraulic Services Design, or an equivalent qualification1, from a nationally recognised registered training organisation that has the qualification listed on its scope of registration on the National Register under the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011 including these units of competency (or a more recent equivalent version of these units of competency):
- CPCSFS5002 (current) / CPCSFS5002A Research and interpret detailed fire systems design project requirements
- CPCSFS5003 (current) / CPCSFS5003A Develop plans and methodology for fire systems design projects
- CPCSFS5005 (current) / CPCSFS5005A Research and evaluate fire system technologies and components
- CPCSFS5006 (current) / CPCSFS5006A Create detailed designs for fire sprinkler systems
- CPCSFS5009 (current) / CPCSFS5009A Create detailed designs for fire systems’ water supplies
- CPCSFS5010 (current) / CPCSFS5010A Provide documentation and support for fabrication of fire sprinkler systems
- CPCSFS5011 (current) / CPCSFS5011A Provide design documentation and review and support fire system installation processes
- CPCSFS5013 (current) / CPCSFS5013A Support commissioning processes and finalise fire systems design projects.
1 Note: The following superseded qualifications are considered equivalent to the Diploma of Hydraulic Services Design:
- Certificate in Plumbing Services Design (TAFE NSW course number 1417)
- Associate Diploma in Engineering (Plumbing Services) (TAFE NSW course number 1480)
- Associate Diploma of Plumbing and Services (TAFE NSW course number 1400/V1/A1)
- Diploma of Plumbing and Services (Release 1) (CPC50412)
- Diploma of Hydraulic Services Design (Release 1) (CPC50611).
Experience
You must have:
at least 5 years’ practical experience in the last 10 years including 2 years in Australia
relevant experience in engineering involving a class 2, 3, 9a or 9c building.
Competency assessments
- Professional engineers requiring a competency assessment, please contact Engineers Australia.
- Design practitioner – building design (low rise), or design practitioner – building design (medium rise), please contact Building Designers Association of Australia.
Choose this class to be authorised to prepare regulated designs and make compliance declarations in relation to a fire hydrant or fire hose reel system for a building, including a portable fire extinguisher system.
Qualifications
You must meet the qualification requirements in one of the three pathways below.
Pathway 1
You must have completed a Diploma of Fire Systems Design (CPC50520 (current) / CPC50509 / a more recent equivalent version) from a nationally recognised registered training organisation that has the qualification listed on its scope of registration on the National Register under the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011 including the successful completion of these units of competency (or a more recent equivalent version of these units of competency):
- CPCPCM4013 (current) / CPCPCM4013A Produce 2-D architectural drawings using CAD software
- CPCSFS5003 (current) / CPCSFS5003A Develop plans and methodology for fire systems design projects
- CPCSFS5007 (current) / CPCSFS5007A Create detailed designs for hydrant and hose reel systems
- CPCSFS5009 (current) / CPCSFS5009A Create detailed designs for fire systems’ water supplies
- CPCSFS5011 (current) / CPCSFS5011A Provide design documentation and review and support fire system installation processes
- CPCSFS5013 (current) / CPCSFS5013A Support commissioning processes and finalise fire systems design projects.
Pathway 2
You must have completed an Engineering degree from an Australian university or a qualification under a program accredited by Engineers Australia with the following units of competency (or a more recent equivalent version of these units of competency):
- CPCSFS5001 (current) / CPCSFS5001A Define scope and hazard level of fire systems design projects
- CPCSFS5002 (current) / CPCSFS5002A Research and interpret detailed fire systems design project requirements
- CPCSFS5003 (current) / CPCSFS5003A Develop plans and methodology for fire systems design projects
- CPCSFS5005 (current) / CPCSFS5005A Research and evaluate fire system technologies and components
- CPCSFS5007 (current) / CPCSFS5007A Create detailed designs for hydrant and hose reel systems
- CPCSFS5009 (current) / CPCSFS5009A Create detailed designs for fire systems’ water supplies
- CPCSFS5011 (current) / CPCSFS5011A Provide design documentation and review and support fire system installation processes
- CPCSFS5013 (current) / CPCSFS5013A Support commissioning processes and finalise fire systems design projects
Pathway 3
You must have completed a Diploma of Hydraulic Services Design, or an equivalent qualification1, from a nationally recognised registered training organisation that has the qualification listed on its scope of registration on the National Register under the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011 including these units of competency (or a more recent equivalent version of these units of competency):
- CPCSFS5002 (current) / CPCSFS5002A Research and interpret detailed fire systems design project requirements
- CPCSFS5003 (current) / CPCSFS5003A Develop plans and methodology for fire systems design projects
- CPCSFS5005 (current) / CPCSFS5005A Research and evaluate fire system technologies and components
- CPCSFS5007 (current) / CPCSFS5007A Create detailed designs for hydrant and hose reel systems
- CPCSFS5009 (current) / CPCSFS5009A Create detailed designs for fire systems’ water supplies
- CPCSFS5011 (current) / CPCSFS5011A Provide design documentation and review and support fire system installation processes
- CPCSFS5013 (current) / CPCSFS5013A Support commissioning processes and finalise fire systems design projects.
1 Note: The following superseded qualifications are considered equivalent to the Diploma of Hydraulic Services Design:
- Certificate in Plumbing Services Design (TAFE NSW course number 1417)
- Associate Diploma in Engineering (Plumbing Services) (TAFE NSW course number 1480)
- Associate Diploma of Plumbing and Services (TAFE NSW course number 1400/V1/A1)
- Diploma of Plumbing and Services (Release 1) (CPC50412)
- Diploma of Hydraulic Services Design (Release 1) (CPC50611).
Experience
You must have:
at least 5 years’ practical experience in the last 10 years including 2 years in Australia
relevant experience in engineering involving a class 2, 3, 9a or 9c building.
Choose this class to be authorised to prepare regulated designs and make compliance declarations in relation to a mechanical fire control system or mechanical smoke control system for a building.
Qualifications
You must have completed one of the following qualifications.
- A 4 year full-time or equivalent part-time undergraduate bachelor’s degree that has been accredited by a body that is a signatory to the Washington Accord in:
- Mechanical engineering; or
- Engineering (with a mechanical engineering major); or
- A postgraduate master’s degree that has been accredited by a body that is a signatory to the Washington Accord in:
- Mechanical engineering; or
- Engineering (with a mechanical engineering major); or
- A qualification conferred by an Australian university or tertiary institution that has been assessed as being equivalent to the above bachelor's or master's degrees by an Australian signatory to the Washington Accord.
- A qualification conferred by a foreign university or tertiary institution that has been assessed as equivalent by an assessing authority for the skilled occupation of mechanical engineer.
Experience
You must have:
- at least 5 years’ practical experience in the last 10 years including 2 years in Australia
- relevant experience in engineering involving a class 2, 3, 9a or 9c building.
Registration in this class allows you to prepare designs related to stormwater drainage and roof drainage systems.
Inclusions
Registration in this class lets you do the work under the design practitioner – drainage (restricted) class. You do not need to register for drainage (restricted) as well.
Qualification
Either:
be registered as a Professional Engineer – Civil
or
be registered as a Professional Engineer – Mechanical
or hold a
Diploma of Hydraulic Services Design or equivalent:
- Certificate in Plumbing Services Design (TAFE NSW course number 1417)
- Associate Diploma in Engineering (Plumbing Services) (TAFE NSW course number 1480
- Associate Diploma of Plumbing and Services (TAFE NSW course number 1400/V1/A1
- Diploma of Plumbing and Services (Release 1) (CPC50412) or
- Diploma of Hydraulic Services Design (Release 1) (CPC50611).
Or
A 4-year undergraduate degree, a postgraduate masters’ degree, an Australian1 or foreign university qualification assessed as equivalent2 , in:
- civil engineering
- mechanical engineering
- engineering with a major in civil engineering
- engineering with a major in mechanical engineering.
Notes:
- An Australian university or tertiary institution which has signed the Washington Accord.
- Assessed as equivalent by an assessing authority for the skilled occupation of civil engineer or mechanical engineer.
Experience
You must have:
- at least 5 years’ practical experience in the last 10 years including 2 years in Australia
- relevant experience to this class of registration involving a class 2, 3, 9a or 9c building.
A design practitioner - drainage prepares designs related to stormwater drainage and roof drainage systems.
Exclusions
The drainage (restricted) class can only work on a building that is 6 storeys or less.
Qualification
Certificate IV in Plumbing and services
Experience
You must have:
- at least 5 years’ practical experience in the last 10 years including 2 years in Australia
- relevant experience to this class of registration involving a class 2, 3, 9a or 9c building.
Maintaining your registration
Once registered, you have ongoing obligations to maintain your registration, including:
- complying with a code of practice
- undertaking continuous professional development (CPD) each year
- retaining records for 10 years even if you stop working as a registered practitioner
- holding the appropriate level of insurance
Additionally:
- to maintain your design practitioner in an engineering class, you must be registered as a professional engineer
- to maintain your principal design practitioner registration, you must be registered as a design practitioner
in the class you applied for under the Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020.
More about CPD for design practitioners
You will need to provide evidence of your CPD to renew your registration.
You must complete 3 hours of CPD each year from the Construct NSW learning platform and the Australian Building Codes Board National Construction Code CPD system.
For more information, read the continuing professional development guidelines for prescribed practitioners.
Design and building practitioner enquiries and support
If you have an enquiry about design and building practitioner registrations, please get in touch with Building Commission NSW.