The Australian Association of Vertical Transport (AAVT) was invited to give formal evidence to the Parliament of New South Wales (Public Accountability and Works Committee) as part of the Upper House Review into the Design & Building Practitioners Act 2020 and the Residential Apartment Buildings (Compliance and Enforcement Powers) Act 2020, including consideration of related draft government bills.
On 11th August 2025, Mark Liversedge, Chief Executive Officer of AAVT and Lindsay LeCompte, AAVT Policy Advisor, appeared before the inquiry to represent the interests of Australia’s vertical transport industry.
AAVT’s submission and oral evidence focused on practical regulatory outcomes, industry compliance realities, and the critical role of lifts, escalators and related systems in residential building safety and performance.
Acknowledgement of AAVT Evidence
AAVT’s evidence was formally received and acknowledged by the Committee as part of the inquiry record. The Committee recognised the value of AAVT’s industry-specific expertise, particularly in relation to:
- alternative pathways to registration for those working in the vertical transport sector
- the application of design practitioner obligations to vertical transport systems
- compliance and enforcement considerations affecting specialist building services
- that the NSW Government liaise with industry stakeholders to identify strategies to reduce complexity and costs, thus the importance of clear regulatory guidance to support safe, compliant outcomes across residential apartment buildings
Comment from Mark Liversedge during the enquiry included the following from Report 6 – November 2025,
2.24 Underscoring the need for alternative pathways for registration, Mr Mark Liversedge, General Manager, Australian Elevator Association, reflected that the vertical transportation industry relies heavily on trade-based professionals with extensive experience but no tertiary qualifications.114 Mr Liversedge further remarked that the graduate diploma course developed through Western Sydney University has been withdrawn, which may create further challenges for individuals who wish to be registered as a design practitioner in vertical transportation.115
Report 6 – November 2025 Recommendations
Recommendation 1
That the NSW Government consider non-tertiary pathways to registration for relevant practitioners with significant industry experience (10-years or more) who have certificates III, IV or diploma-level qualifications.
Mr Liversedge, AAVT CEO confirmed AAVT’s remains committed to constructive engagement with government, regulators and industry stakeholders on building safety and regulatory reform.
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IMAGE: Mark Liversedge, AAVT CEO, giving evidence at the Parliament of NSW Upper House ‘Review into the Design & Building Practitioners Act 2020 and the Residential Apartment Buildings (Compliance and Enforcement Powers) Act 2020 and related draft government bills. 11 August 2025.