AAVT CEO and Australian Construction Industry Forum (ACIF) Board Member Mark Liversedge recently joined ACIF’s meeting with Standards Australia CEO Rod Balding to discuss the Australian Government’s commitment to improve access to Standards referenced in legislation and the practical implementation of the new arrangements.
The discussion examined some of the key questions surrounding the new access model — including when it will become available, how it will work in practice, what it may mean for existing subscriptions, and the longer-term role of artificial intelligence in accessing and navigating Standards.
For AAVT Members, these issues are particularly relevant given the extent to which vertical transport work intersects with Australian Standards, the National Construction Code, electrical and workplace safety requirements, and jurisdiction-specific legislation and regulation.
Government-sponsored access to Standards
The Australian Government has committed to improving access to Australian Standards referenced in Commonwealth, state and territory legislation.
Standards Australia advised that the proposed Government-sponsored model will provide online, read-only access to relevant Standards. Users will be able to view Standards online but will not be able to download or print them under the sponsored access model. Existing paid subscription services, which provide additional functionality, will remain available.
Users are expected to register and identify their industry, allowing the platform to present relevant collections of Standards for free access. Importantly, access is not expected to be confined to a single narrow industry category, recognising that practitioners often need to work across related and complementary Standards.
This is particularly relevant to vertical transport, where the application of one Standard may require practitioners to refer to other technical, electrical, building or safety requirements.
If the system is ready, why isn’t access available now?
A key question considered during the meeting was when the new access arrangements will become available.
Standards Australia advised that the technical capability is largely ready. The remaining work includes government consultation and administrative processes required before implementation can proceed.
One significant challenge is identifying the complete range of Standards referenced across Commonwealth, state, and territory legislation. Standards Australia is not automatically notified every time one of its Standards is referenced in legislation or regulation, so work is continuing with government and industry to ensure the list is as complete as possible.
Once these processes are finalised, Standards Australia expects to be able to move relatively quickly towards implementation.
Greater visibility of the implementation timetable and clear communication about what will — and will not — be available under the new arrangements will be important for industry as implementation progresses.
Making access workable in practice
The discussion also examined how Government-sponsored access will work for practitioners using Standards in their day-to-day activities.
Standards Australia confirmed that users will be able to have multiple Standards open simultaneously in separate browser tabs or windows. For vertical transport practitioners, this is an important practical consideration given the need to regularly work across Standards and cross-reference related technical requirements.
Other issues discussed included search functionality, bookmarking, authentication and how access will operate where several people within an organisation need to use Standards.
Improved access represents an important step forward, but its practical value will depend on how effectively practitioners can locate, navigate, cross-reference and work with the Standards relevant to their activities.
The meeting also considered the balance between making Standards more accessible and ensuring highly technical information is used appropriately. Standards Australia intends to include clear messaging around the appropriate use of technical Standards and the need for relevant professional expertise.
At the same time, improved access has a significant role to play in education and industry capability, including enabling students, graduates and apprentices to engage with Standards as they develop the knowledge and experience required to apply them appropriately in professional practice.
What could this mean for existing Standards subscriptions?
Another important issue for AAVT Members is what Government-sponsored access may mean for organisations that already pay for Standards Australia subscriptions.
Standards Australia advised that it is developing a framework to consider pro-rata refunds for subscribers who, once Government-sponsored access becomes available, decide that read-only access meets their needs and that they no longer require the additional functionality of a paid subscription.
Any refund would consider factors such as the timing of the sponsored access launch, the period of overlap with an existing subscription and the value already received.
Importantly, organisations should not assume that Government-sponsored access will necessarily replace the need for a paid subscription. The functionality will be different, and individual businesses may determine that the additional features available through their existing subscription remain important to the way they work.
Further guidance is expected as implementation approaches.
AI and the future use of Standards
Looking beyond the immediate access arrangements, the meeting explored the potential future role of artificial intelligence in helping practitioners navigate, understand and apply Standards.
Standards Australia outlined longer-term thinking about how AI could potentially make Standards content more accessible, searchable and easier to navigate. Future capability could allow users to ask questions in plain language, locate relevant provisions more easily, navigate technical calculations and formulas, and potentially use translation to improve accessibility.
For highly technical industries such as vertical transport, however, confidence in the accuracy, currency and authority of information will be critical.
Practitioners are increasingly using AI in their work. The challenge is therefore not simply whether AI will be used, but how users can be confident that AI-generated information relating to Standards is based on current, authoritative and accurate source material.
Standards Australia emphasised that trust and quality would be fundamental to any future AI capability. Incorrect technical information could have serious consequences and undermine confidence in the Standards system itself.
AAVT will continue to follow developments in this area closely, particularly as the use of AI in technical and professional practice continues to evolve.
Improving the Standards development process
The meeting also provided an update on Standards Australia’s broader work to improve the Standards development process.
Standards Australia outlined a recent independent review undertaken following extensive industry consultation. The review resulted in nine recommendations and around 70 actions aimed at improving the experience of sectors and stakeholders involved in Standards development.
A new operating model is now being implemented, including greater seniority and sector expertise within Standards Australia teams, with the aim of improving responsiveness, consistency and support for those involved in developing and reviewing Standards.
For AAVT, this is particularly relevant given the importance of ensuring appropriate technical expertise and vertical transport industry experience are represented in the development and review of Standards affecting the sector.
Continuing engagement
The meeting reflected a shared interest in strengthening engagement between Standards Australia, ACIF and the industries ACIF represents.
Standards Australia also indicated its willingness to engage directly with individual ACIF member associations to better understand the experiences, priorities and challenges of their sectors.
AAVT welcomes the opportunity for future engagement on issues of specific relevance to vertical transport and will keep Members informed as those discussions develop.
In the meantime, AAVT will continue its involvement through ACIF to ensure the experience and priorities of the vertical transport industry are represented as the Government-sponsored access arrangements progress.
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