Melanie Venables

Professional Standards Authority

The Professional Standards Authority (PSA) provides regulatory and general support services for the Professional Standards Councils. It is formally an agency of the NSW government (within the Better Regulation Division of the NSW Department of Customer Service) with obligations to provide services to all Australian governments and their relevant Councils. The Professional Standards Councils are independent statutory bodies responsible for promoting professional standards and consumer protection. We have been established by the Australian state and territory governments. Our approach is based on the three pillars of professional standards legislation: Protect consumers. We demand high levels of professional standards and practices from those that participate in Professional Standards Schemes. We expect associations within our regulated communities to make sure their members uphold these standards through education and guidance, monitoring and enforcement, and other measures. This plays an important role in protecting consumers. Improve professional standards. We work closely with associations to develop self-regulation initiatives. We support research, develop policies and guidelines, and promote debate and change to improve professional standards and conduct. Help associations. By approving and administering Professional Standards Schemes, we can work with associations to strengthen and improve professionalism within associations, and promote self-regulation while protecting consumers. In return, professionals that take part in an approved Professional Standards Scheme have their civil liability limited.