ACS helps certified professionals update their CPD records and build trust in Australia’s tech sector.
What this means for you
When it comes to updating and maintaining Continuing Professional Development CPD, you have three options, depending on the different stages of your career. We're calling CP members about updating their CPD and discussing the following options that best suits you.
Option 1: Update your CPD records
As an ACS CP, you are recognised as an exemplary professional committed to upholding higher standards. A commitment we share, hence our support to help you demonstrate 30 hours of CPD.
Tip: The easiest way to update your CPD records is to login to your MyACS account. Be sure to update your records with any missing CPD activities. For eligible activities, see “What counts as CPD” in the FAQs below.
To update your CPD records immediately:
- Login to MyACS
- Click on: My Dashboard
- Scroll to the button: Upload CPD hours
For more information on CDP requirements and maintaining records, visit the ACS CPD web page or contact the CPD team at cpd@acs.org.au.
Option 2: Request a career break
If you are currently on a break from work due to personal circumstances, you may be able to pause your CPD obligations by requesting a career break.
Tip: For more information or to check your eligibility, visit the ACS CPD web page.
Option 3: Ask for CPD advice
If you would like additional help updating your CPD records or reviewing your status as an ACS CP, contact the CPD team at cpd@acs.org.au
To strengthen our commitment to building trust in line with other professions, we are introducing a compliance audit and recommend you update your CPD by 30 September 2024.
Why I chose CP
FAQs – frequently asked questions
All CP must complete and demonstrate a minimum of 30 hours of CPD for each certification year.
There are a wide variety of activities that contribute to your CPD. The table below illustrates a number of these.
Formal Activities
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Informal Activities
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Peer and Professional Interactions
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Contributing to Our Profession
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Structured courses
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Workshops
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Mentoring/being a mentee
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Presenting research
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Seminars/Webinars
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Readings
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Demonstrating a technical application
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Writing industry related articles / papers
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Other technical training
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Audio content
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Discussion groups
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Technical training
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Conferences
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Video content
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Structured meetings
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Design and/or presenting a course
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CPD is a universal expectation across regulated and recognised professions. Tech professionals manage critical functions and major public and corporate risks and need to keep up to date to warrant the public trust and professional recognition they have.
The minimum CPD requirement ensures that CP members spend a sufficient amount of time each year to develop their skills, knowledge and experience.
CPD compliance is also a requirement for CP members participating in the ACS Professional Standards scheme.
Your CPD hours accumulate annually for each certification year. Upon certification being awarded, your first certification year will start from the first day of the month in which you were awarded certification and end 13 months later. From then on, your certification year would reset every 12 months e.g. if you became a CP on 15 May 2024, your first certification year will be from 1 May 2024 to 31 May 2025. From thereon, your certification year will reset on 1 June each year.
CPD hours for ACS events, courses and online learning are automatically reflected on your CPD records (usually within a week of the event or online course completion). For information on the hours you can claim, visit the ACS Events listing.
You can claim CPD hours, on an hour-for-hour basis, for non-ACS events. If the CPD activity does not have a pre-allocated time, you can calculate the CPD hours by working out how much time was spent in the session/s, excluding meal breaks. You can enter these hours into your CPD records via the online MyACS member portal. Note that in an audit, ACS may not accept all logged CPD hours if the claimed CPD time is not reasonably supported by evidence. If you need further help, contact cpd@acs.org.au for assistance.
If you do not meet CPD evidence requirements when asked by an ACS auditor, a recertification discussion will take place and an option for a recertification plan considered. If CPD compliance is not achieved further escalated steps may be taken to support CPD compliance that may result in the certification being revoked.
If you relinquish your certification voluntarily or do not renew your membership, you will ordinarily be eligible for certification reinstatement without assessment for two years.
If you had your certification revoked due to non-compliance with CPD requirements and wish to appeal, you must submit a written application to ACS no later than 60 days after the notice of revocation. Your written application must include a detailed explanation of your appeal.
If you had your certification revoked under a disciplinary proceeding by the Disciplinary Panel, you may only appeal this under the appeal provisions found in the ACS Rules and the ACS National Regulations.
No. ACS members must first apply for and be awarded certification. If you are already a CP, please complete at least the minimum CPD hours and ensure you retain evidence for the claimed hours of CPD in each certification year.