Victoria requires registration to provide professional engineering services in a prescribed area of engineering in or for Victoria.
The five prescribed areas are:
- civil
- structural
- electrical
- mechanical
- fire safety
The requirement can apply even when the engineer is physically outside Victoria if the services are for a Victorian project or purpose.
Engineers working in the building industry may also need their registration endorsed. Registration and building-industry endorsement are separate concepts and should not be treated as interchangeable.
Professional Indemnity Insurance is particularly relevant to endorsed building engineers. Evidence of the required PI cover must be provided for endorsement and, where applicable, through the ongoing annual endorsement process.
Only individuals can apply for Victorian professional engineer registration and endorsement.
Engineering firms should therefore check:
- whether the service falls within a prescribed engineering area
- whether it is being provided in or for Victoria
- whether building-industry endorsement is required
- whether the Professional Indemnity arrangement satisfies the applicable endorsement requirements
A company’s own insurance does not replace the engineer’s obligation to hold the required registration and endorsement where those requirements apply.
For current endorsement and insurance requirements, see Consumer Affairs Victoria’s guidance for professional engineers working in the building industry.
