AS1851 COMPETENT PERSON REQUIREMENTS
for the nsw fire protection industry
“NSW regulations require the ongoing certification of fire safety measures annually. Effective 13 February 2026, AS 1851-2012 will become the mandated Australian Standard to which installed fire safety systems and equipment are to be maintained.
AS 1851 establishes a mandatory requirement that all routine service work on fire protection systems and equipment be performed by a competent person.”
What is a Competent Person?
Definition under AS 1851:
“A competent person has acquired through training, qualification, experience, or a combination of these, the knowledge and skill enabling them to correctly perform the required task.”
This means having both the knowledge and skill to correctly perform tasks across a range of different circumstances and environments, while being familiar with the facts, concepts, and principles related to the task.
Demonstrating Competency
AS1851 recommends competencies be demonstrated in accordance with the Australian Qualification Framework (AQF).
Where government licensing or accreditation sytems don’t exist, the AQF should be used to benchmark whether a person is competent.
Without AQF Qualifications
If a person does not hold AQF qualifications, business owners would need to:
Document and justify how they determined competency
Demonstrate alignment with AQF competency standards
Routine Service Qualifications
There are two key nationally recognised qualifications, which are specifically designed for fire protection routine service work. These qualifications are the most appropriate to benchmark whether a person is competent. There are two further qualifications, which also include routine service competencies.
Routine Service Qualifications
Certificate II in Fire Protection Inspection and Testing
Certificate III in Fire Protection Inspection and Testing
Other Routine Service Qualifications
Certificate III in Fire Protection
Certificate III in Fire Protection Control
NSW Government Good Practice Guide
In November 2025, the Building Commission NSW issued a Good Practice Guide providing the NSW government’s view on what constitutes a competent person under AS1851. The guide also includes details of AS 1851 work requiring a licence under current NSW regulations.
Key Considerations
This guide is being widely distributed to building owners and regulators
Provides a benchmark for determining compliance with AS1851
Includes specific qualification recommendations for different fire safety measures
Qualifications and units of competency that technicians may not easily achieve
Supports routine service work being completed by technicians with limited knowledge of fire protection
Licensing and Specialist Work
In NSW, certain fire protection work is considered “Specialist Work” and subject to the Home Building Act (HBA), requiring a licence.
- Generally, inspection, testing and survey work under AS1851 is not considered specialist work
- However, preventive maintenance and repairs of certain fire safety measures must be performed under appropriate licences
- This includes plumbing, mechanical services, and electrical wiring work
FIA Good Practice Guide
Fire Industry Academy has released a Good Practice Guide to provide clear, practical pathways for demonstrating competency in fire protection routine service work in accordance with AS 1851-2012.
Unlike many other industries, the Australian fire protection sector does not have mandatory licensing requirements in most states and territories for technicians performing routine service work. While this provides flexibility for industry participants, it also creates uncertainty about what qualifications, training, and experience are necessary to satisfy the competent person requirement.
The Guide addresses that uncertainty by identifying recognised qualifications and units of competency that, when held together, demonstrate the knowledge and skills required to be deemed a competent person for specific types of fire protection routine service work.
Key Features
Nine classes of work clearly defined
Multiple pathways for demonstrating competency
References Certificate II and III in Fire Protection Inspection and Testing
Classes of Work Defined in Good Practice Guide
- Detection and alarm systems
- Emergency Lighting
- Emergency Planning
- Hydrant and hose reel systems
- Mechanical smoke control
- Passive fire protection
- Portable fire equipment
- Special hazard fire systems
- Sprinkler Systems
Recognising Your Existing Skills and Knowledge
The fire industry has traditionally lacked a well-articulated formal learning structure. Many practitioners have extensive knowledge and skills that remain unrecognised.
What is Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)?
RPL is an assessment process that recognises previously unrecognised skills and knowledge achieved outside of formal education and training. It allows individuals to bypass the learning process and go directly to assessment.
Fire Industry Academy has developed an expedited RPL process to support the industry in gaining recognition for their existing skills and knowledge in an easy-to-follow process.
FIA’s Expedited RPL Process
Self-Evaluation
Prior qualifications & Experience
Portfolio of Evidence
Most important part
3rd Party Reports
Observation reports
Knowledge Tests
Assessment
Competency Conversation
Final verification
LIMITED TIME SPECIAL OFFER
Get at Least 40% off an RPL Enrolment when you pre-register
Offer Conditions
Pre-register before March 31, 2026 and enrol before June 30, 2026
Applies to RPL Pathway enrolments in Certificate II and Certificate III in Fire Protection Inspection and Testing courses.
Ready to Get Started?
Let us guide you through your training needs and help you achieve compliance with AS 1851 requirements
Three Simple Steps:
Identify the routine service activities
Identify any previously completed qualifications or units
Complete our EOI form for a proposal specific to your needs
Resources & Documentation
Access important guides and information
Presentation Slides
Detailed presentation with talking notes about AS 1851 competent person requirements
FIA Good Practice Guide
Fire Industry Academy's comprehensive guide for determining competent persons
NSW Government Guide
Official Building Commission NSW Good Practice Guide for implementing AS 1851-2012
Webinar – AS1851 Competent Person Requirements for NSW
In December, Fire Industry Academy hosted a dedicated industry webinar outlining the new Competent Person requirements set to take effect on 13 February 2026. These changes introduce important obligations for those responsible for the servicing and maintenance of fire protection systems. Watch the full webinar below to understand what the new regulations mean for you and your business