A revamped Professional Standards Scheme will see all ACS Certified Professional (CP) members receive professional recognition from Australian federal, state and territory governments.

The new ACS Professional Standards Scheme was recently approved by the Professional Standards Council (PSC).

The scheme will also cap liability for ICT professional services performed for clients and customers by practitioners on an independent basis up to $2 million.

The PS Scheme aims to better protect CP members and increase marketability and professionalism within Australia’s ICT industry, while also helping ACS CP members to stand out from their peers in the ICT industry.

“This certification will enhance the public profile of our Certified Professionals and will build community trust,” said ACS President Yohan Ramasundara.

“Certified Professionals have long been required to demonstrate an exceptional level of professional conduct and the new scheme will ensure that this achievement becomes nationally recognised.

“I want to thank the Professional Standards Council for working with us to help achieve this outcome and I know that our Certified Professional members will be excited about the prospect of coming under this scheme.”

The ACS has brought CP members into the new PS scheme at no additional charge.

CP members providing consulting or contracting services must hold suitable Professional Indemnity insurance, and disclose their liability cap to clients. Cap extensions may be granted in certain circumstances.

For other CP members, the Scheme protections and obligations will come into effect should they undertake consulting or contracting in future. Existing CP obligations including CPD (continuing professional development) requirements will remain.

Chair of the Professional Standards Council, John Vines, welcomed the addition of ACS to the scheme.

“The Councils’ approval of the new scheme recognises ACS’s commitment to the improvement of professional standards,” said Vines.

“ACS first had a scheme approved in 2010, and with each scheme since then ACS has enhanced its self-regulatory capacity and its risk management systems.

“With this new scheme, ACS will be extending coverage to an estimated 1,300 Certified Professional members, greatly expanding the protection available to them and their clients.”

Find out more here.