Accredited practitioner vs competent fire safety practitioner in NSW

Both terms refer to the same specialist role in NSW. The name changed on 1 July 2020. Here is what each means and which one you need for your annual fire safety statement today.

The short answer: both terms describe the specialist who assesses fire safety measures in NSW buildings. 'Competent fire safety practitioner' was the term used from 2017 until 30 June 2020. From 1 July 2020, the same role is called 'accredited practitioner (fire safety)' under the current regulatory framework. If you are organising your annual fire safety statement today, the term you need is accredited practitioner (fire safety), and the person must hold accreditation under the Fire Protection Accreditation Scheme.

Where the confusion comes from

In 2017, NSW required certain fire safety functions to be carried out by a 'competent fire safety practitioner'. That term was embedded in the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000 and appeared on assessment forms, guidance documents and procurement templates used widely by strata managers and building owners.

When the Building and Development Certifiers Act 2018 commenced on 1 July 2020, the regulatory language shifted. The role did not change in substance: you still need a specialist to assess the measures on your building's fire safety schedule and certify that each one performs to its required standard. What changed was the formal name and the mechanism for verifying that someone qualifies.

Under the current framework, the term is 'accredited practitioner (fire safety)', and the primary path to that status is accreditation under the Fire Protection Accreditation Scheme. The FPAA developed the scheme, and it was approved on 1 July 2020.

What the accredited practitioner does

An accredited practitioner (fire safety) is a person who does certain specialist fire safety assessments required by the Regulation. For the annual fire safety statement, the practitioner inspects each essential fire safety measure on the building's schedule, verifies that it performs to the standard it was designed to meet, and certifies that performance. The statement cannot be issued without that certification.

Only practitioners accredited by the FPAA can perform the functions of an accredited practitioner (fire safety) where those functions are covered by the scheme. For the functions that appear on most AFSS schedules, FPAS-accredited practitioners are available and the standard path applies.

The fallback: when a person is deemed competent

For some fire safety functions, there are currently no practitioners accredited by the FPAA. For these functions, a building owner or certifier must determine independently that the person selected qualifies as an accredited practitioner (fire safety) without relying on the scheme. In a narrower case, where no one is reasonably available to do the work, the building owner or certifier may seek authorisation from Building Commission NSW to appoint a person the owner or certifier deems competent to do the work.

This deemed-competent path is the direct descendant of the original 2017 competent fire safety practitioner mechanism. It persists as a safety valve, not the primary route. For the measures that appear on most AFSS schedules, the fallback path does not apply.

Which one you need for your AFSS

For an annual fire safety statement in NSW today, you need an accredited practitioner (fire safety). The person must hold current accreditation under the FPAS scheme covering the specific measures on your building's fire safety schedule. Not every accredited practitioner holds accreditation for every measure type, so confirm the scope before appointing them.

If you encounter a firm or individual using the older term 'competent fire safety practitioner' on current documentation, they are most likely using legacy language for the same role. Confirm their FPAS accreditation on the FPAA register before proceeding.

Maintenance and servicing: a separate question

The accreditation requirement applies to assessment and certification functions, not to routine servicing and testing. The requirement to use an accredited practitioner does not extend to routine installation, maintenance, testing and servicing of essential fire safety measures. Strata managers who engage separate trades for ongoing servicing and a separate accredited practitioner for the annual assessment are following the correct structure.

Frequently asked questions

Is 'accredited practitioner (fire safety)' the same as 'competent fire safety practitioner'?

In practical terms, yes. 'Competent fire safety practitioner' was the term used from 2017 under amendments to the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000. From 1 July 2020, when the Building and Development Certifiers Act 2018 commenced, the role was renamed 'accredited practitioner (fire safety)'. If you are dealing with pre-July 2020 documents, you will see the older term. For current AFSS purposes, use the current term and verify FPAS accreditation.

Do I need an accredited practitioner for routine fire safety maintenance?

No. The accreditation requirement covers assessment and certification functions. The requirement does not extend to routine installation, maintenance, testing and servicing of essential fire safety measures. The accredited practitioner is required for the annual assessment that underpins the AFSS, not for routine upkeep between assessments.

How do I check if a practitioner is currently accredited?

The FPAA maintains the FPAS register, which lists practitioners with current accreditation and shows the scope of their accreditation. Before engaging a practitioner, confirm they hold current accreditation covering the specific measures on your building's fire safety schedule.

What if no accredited practitioner is available for a function my building needs?

For some fire safety functions not yet covered by the FPAS scheme, the building owner or certifier must determine independently that the person selected qualifies as an accredited practitioner (fire safety). In the narrowest fallback, where no one reasonably available holds the required accreditation, the building owner or certifier may seek authorisation from Building Commission NSW to appoint a person the owner or certifier deems competent to do the work.

Sources

• NSW Planning Portal, fire safety certification.
• NSW Government, fire safety practitioners.
• Fire Protection Association Australia (FPAA), Fire Protection Accreditation Scheme (FPAS) register.

This is general information, not legal or compliance advice. Check requirements and figures with your council and the FPAA register.

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