Annual Report 2011-12 - Parliament of Western Australia

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Approval of schemes for
occupational associations
An occupational association may submit an
application to the Professional Standards
Councils for consideration of a Cover of
Excellence ® scheme for the benefit of its
members, and consumers of their professional
services. The application for a scheme would
indicate the relevant jurisdictions in which it
is intended to operate – which may include
any of the eight States and Territories. The
Professional Standards Councils must review
a scheme proposal in accordance with the
legislation before it can be recommended
to the relevant State or Territory Minister for
gazettal.
Among other things, the Councils will
consider:
• all comments and submissions made to the
Councils regarding the scheme
• the position of persons who may be
affected
• the nature and level of claims relating to
occupational liability made against members
of the association
• the risk management strategies of the
association and the means by which the risk
management strategies are intended to be
implemented
• the cost and availability of insurance and the
standards determined by the association
concerned in relation to insurance policies.
Prior to recommendation to the relevant
Minister, the Councils will publicly notify the
draft scheme. This allows members of the
public, consumer groups, members of the
association or any other interested parties to
provide comments on the proposed scheme
to the Councils for their consideration.
Once gazetted, the scheme will limit the
occupational liability of members of that
association, in the relevant State or Territory.
Improvement of occupational
standards of professionals
Apart from assessing and approving Cover
of Excellence ® schemes, the Councils
are also responsible for monitoring the
operation of schemes, including associations’
implementation of risk management plans.
Risk management reports make up a
significant part of associations’ statutory
annual compliance reporting.
Amongst other things, the associations’
annual risk management and compliance
reports must include:
• the implementation and monitoring of their
risk management strategies
• the effect of those strategies
• any changes made or proposed to be made
to them.
Since the introduction of the professional
standards legislation, the associations through
working with the Councils, have improved the
rigour of their risk management plans.
Councils have identified risk management
as one of the areas where professionals can
seek funding assistance under the Star Grants
Program.
14 Professional Standards Councils Annual Report 2011-12