Key documents

We have created a comprehensive application manual to guide you through the process. Please take the time to read this carefully before applying and refer to it regularly while completing your application.

Click here to view the ESP-AP Manual

The form to apply for certification is a fillable PDF. Please just click in the appropriate spaces and type your responses/information.

Click here to download the ESP-AP Application Form

ESP-AP certification fees

• · GCA Members $330 (inc GST)
• · Non-members $850 (inc GST)

Retention of certification

To retain your ESP-AP Certification, you must undertake Continuing Professional Development. Please visit the ESP-AP Retention section for all the details.

Note, CPD points DO NOT need to be achieved in the year certification achieved e.g. if a professional is awarded certification in February, they don’t need to begin tracking CPD until 1 July that year

Right of appeal

If an applicant is denied ESP-AP Certification and feels the decision is not warranted, they have the right to appeal.

Applicants can email the GCA Chief Executive Officer on ceo@geospatialcouncil.org.au  within one (1) month of the receipt of the decision and provide details of the application and why they believe the incorrect outcome was reached.

Further information

Enquiries regarding your ESP-AP Certification can be addressed to the Certification Coordinator on certification@geospatialcouncil.org.au or phone 02 6282 2282.

Assessing your Work Experience
The ESP-AP Competency Framework is a structured and comprehensive approach for defining, assessing and demonstrating knowledge, skills and abilities required for job roles associated with Engineering Surveying.

The Framework outlines specific competencies that are necessary to successfully perform duties as an Engineering Surveyor and provides a clear and objective framework for assessing an individual’s level of competence. The Framework includes categories or domains of competencies, specific descriptors for each competency, performance criteria for assessing competency and allocated points or level of proficiency and evidence of Qualification and or Degree attained.

The ESP-AP Competency Framework is used by industry including Government, building and construction, engineering, town planning and surveying to guide recruitment, training, development and performance management processes. It informs the eligibility for issuing a certification for a professional issued by the Geospatial Council of Australia.

The ESP-AP Competency Framework has been developed and approved by the ESP-AP Certification Committee and endorsed by the Geospatial Council of Australia (GCA). GCA will assess applications based on evidence provided aligned to the Performance Criteria which is a component of the Certification application.

Competency Framework comprises:
CORE AND ELECTIVE ELEMENTS

• Survey Control is overarching. At least one of the survey control sub-categories mandatory – can be concurrent with a project
• Topographical. At least one of the topographical sub-categories is mandatory – can be concurrent with a project
• Construction Surveying. At least 2 categories from construction surveying are mandatory
• A minimum of 3 months duration in any category is required
• A minimum of 4 categories is required in total (Does not have to be every year)
• Management category is optional, and the supervision and team leader components can be concurrent with other categories

Evidence of attained Degree and or a Qualification as set out below:
QUALIFICATION BASED PROVISION

• a) AQF/NZQF Level 7 surveying related qualification and a minimum of four years of documented work experience OR
• b) AQF/NZQF Level 6 certification and five additional points from education along with a minimum of four years of documented work experience.

LONG-TERM PRACTICE PROVISION

• a) AQF/NZQF Level 6 surveying related qualification along with 10 years’ documented work experience OR
• b) AQF/NZQF Level 5 surveying related qualification obtained during or before 2015, along with 10 years’ documented work experience.

This provision is only available until 1 July 2023. See Section 7 of the manual for full details.

EMERITUS PROVISION
For those applicants who are retired but want to maintain professional recognition.

Emeritus ESP-AP is an honorary recognition and as such does not require an annual CPD return to maintain certification.
To be considered for Emeritus status, complete the Personal Details, Application Type & Payment parts of the Application Form.
On retirement, a professionally active ESP-AP can switch to the Emeritus classification by writing to the Geospatial Council Workforce Administrator requesting a classification change.

 

Survey Control – overarching. This category can be stand-alone or incorporated into other categories

Category	Sub-category	Description	Points per year	Performance criteria	Evidence examples
Survey control	Survey control networks (Primary control)	Primary survey control networks for large scale projects. Connected to appropriate Geodetic datums. If incorporated in other work categories, then pro rata time against those projects	30	Performance criteria should include majority of the following: Control network design. GNSS observations GNSS processing by Least squares adjustment for Minimally constrained and Constrained adjustment.	Evidence should include: GNSS network design GNSS network adjustment reports
	Survey control networks (medium)	Terrestrial observations (for example, for bridge control networks). If incorporated in other work categories, then pro-rata time against those projects	25	Control network design. Terrestrial observations (for example, for bridge control networks). Levelling networks. Least squares adjustments Validate any existing survey control	Evidence should include: network design network adjustment reports leveling reports
Construction Surveying – at least 2 categories mandatory (for example, Bridge is one category)
Bridge	Bridge (large/complex)	Medium /complex activities plus majority of the following: Significant fabricated steel superstructures, balanced cantilever construction, very heavy foundations, construction over navigable waterways	35	Majority of the following should include: Setting out of works in accordance with contract specifications and tolerances Conformance checking and reporting As constructed survey Processing of measurements Volume measurements Monitoring (if required)	Supplied evidence should include majority of the following: project description conformance reports as constructed survey drawings / models? volume measurement reports monitoring reports (if applicable)
	Bridge (medium / complex)	Simple activities plus majority of the following: Complex geometry, super T’s / T-roffs, major slipform piers, complex earthworks, cast in-situ piles, setting out with horizontal and vertical curve geometry.	30
	Bridge (simple)	Cast in situ reinforced concrete flat slab bridges, simple bridges, moderate earthworks, non-complex pile foundations, setting out abutments and piers without horizontal/vertical curve geometry.	25
Road	Road (major – motorways / multiple carriageways)	Minor arterial activities plus majority of the following: Grade separated intersections. Duplication of major arterial roads. Heavy duty asphalt pavements. Complex service relocations	35
	Road (major arterial)	Minor arterial activities plus majority of the following: Grade separated intersections. Duplication of major arterial roads. Heavy duty asphalt pavements. Complex service relocations	30
	Road (minor arterial)	Low volume rural / urban plus majority of the following: Multi-layer granular or simple A/C pavement. complex urban intersections. Earthworks exceeding 5m cut/fill. Complex drainage works including large size culverts/multiple bays. Moderately	25
	Road (Low volume rural / urban)	Activities include majority of the following: Low complex at grade intersections. Multi-layer granular or simple A/C pavement. Low to Medium drainage works. Earthworks up to 5m cut/fill. Non-complex service relocation works	20
Earthworks	Substantial	Earthworks on major construction sites. Can include a range of activities from topsoil stripping, excavations and filling. If incorporated in bridge or road categories, then pro-rata time against those projects	25
	Minor	Earthworks can include a range of activities from topsoil stripping, excavations and filling. If incorporated in bridge or road categories, then pro-rata time against those projects	15
Drainage	Complex	Can include drainage systems and culverts. A drainage system can include an underground network of pipe culverts and / or box culverts connecting between field inlets, gully pits and access chambers. If incorporated in road categories, then pro rata time against that project	30
	Simple	Culverts under roadways. If incorporated in road categories, then pro-rata time against that project	20
Water / Wastewater network	Large / Complex	Water networks can include water main lines, hydrants, valves, meters, inspection chambers, inspection pits and envelopers. If incorporated in road categories, then pro rata time against that project	25
	Minor / Simple	Water networks can include water main lines, hydrants, valves, meters, inspection chambers, inspection pits. If incorporated in road categories, then pro-rata time against that project	20
Retaining structures	Substantial and Complex	Can include retaining wall pad / strip footings. Can include horizontal and vertical geometry and multiple lifts during construction. If included in bridge or road categories, then pro-rata time against those projects	30
	Minor / Simple	Can include retaining wall pad / strip footings. Simple geometry. If included in bridge or road categories, then pro-rata time against those projects	20
Tunnel	Complex	To be developed (Applicant to specify)	35
	Simple	To be developed (Applicant to specify)	20
Dam	Major / complex	To be developed (Applicant to specify)	35
	Minor / simple	To be developed (Applicant to specify)	20
Port Infrastructure	Major / complex	To be developed (Applicant to specify)	35
	Minor / simple	To be developed (Applicant to specify)	20
Processing plant	Major / complex	To be developed (Applicant to specify)	35
	Minor / simple	To be developed (Applicant to specify)	20
High Rise building	High Rise	To be developed (Applicant to specify)	35
	Low Rise (Generally max. 3 levels)	To be developed (Applicant to specify)	20
Rail	Major	To be developed (Applicant to specify)	30
	Minor	To be developed (Applicant to specify)	20
Other (Specify)		Applicant to specify

 

Topographical surveying (Mandatory) – This can also be inclusive

Category	Sub-category	Description	Points per year	Performance criteria	Evidence examples
Topographical	Topographical (complex)	Includes majority of the following: Complex urban environments / high number of features. Major drainage features. Complex intersections. Complex bridges and extensive underground services	25	In addition to the survey control requirements, majority of the following should include: Capture data by terrestrial observations. Process and analyse data. Create digital terrain model with contours.	Supplied evidence should include majority of the following: survey control reports project description hard copy drawings.
	Topographical (simple)	Small scale non-complex ground and feature surveys-rural or simple urban. Simple drainage features. Open terrain with few features	20

 

Management (Optional)

Category	Sub-category	Description	Points per year	Performance criteria	Evidence examples
Management	Team leader	Can include leading multiple types of engineering surveying categories	10 bonus points	Assess survey specifications and contractual survey requirements. Determine work procedures. Determine the most fit for purpose surveying equipment that can include terrestrial and GNSS Determine the most appropriate surveying methodologies	project description role description
	Supervisor	Can include supervision of any type of engineering surveying categories	10 bonus points	Supervising of any of the non-management construction surveying activities	project description role description

 

Example of calculating points

Road construction project
	Duration	Points per year	Total pts
Survey control network (simple)	1 month	20	1.7
Road (major arterial)	4 month	30	10.0
Retaining structure	3 month	30	7.5
Drainage	2 month	25	4.2
Earthworks	1 month	20	1.7
Topographical (simple)	1 month	20	1.7

Engineering Surveying Professional – Australasia Pacific (ESP-AP) Certification is the official recognition by the GCA that a person has demonstrated the necessary knowledge and experience to competently perform engineering surveys and associated activities.

Please refer to the link below for the current list of ESP-AP Certified Professionals.

ESP-AP Certification Register

If you are seeking to confirm the certification status of an engineering surveying professional and they don’t appear on this list, please feel free to reach out to the Certification Coordinator on certification@geospatialcouncil.org.au

The Engineering Surveying Professional – Australasia Pacific (ESP-AP) Certification is valid until the end of the first full financial year following initial achievement.

To retain your certification, you must undertake Continuing Professional Development.

Members
ESP-AP holders who are members of GCA  must undertake 15 CPD points each financial year ending 30 June to allow the certification to remain current into the next financial year.

Methods of Accrual
The CPD points can be obtained through any of the methods outlined in Section 4 of the CPD Policy, however for ESP-AP holders, five (5) of the 15 CPD points must be related to engineering surveying specifically.

CPD Period
The CPD year is the Australian financial year, that is 1 July – 30 June. You can only include activities undertaken in that period (i.e. if a webinar is held live on 15 June 2023 but you don’t watch the recording until 3 July 2023, that counts in 2023-24 CPD period).

Recording CPD
Members should record all CPD undertaken via their profile in the online membership portal.

Note, CPD points do not need to be undertaken or recorded in the financial year certification is achieved but must begin in the financial year immediately after.

Cost
There is no cost to retain ESP-AP Certification for current, financial GCA Members.

Should an ESP-AP holder choose not to renew their membership, they must pay the Retention Fee listed in the non-member section below.

Audit
The Certification Coordinator will undertake a randomly chosen spot check audit of 10% of all member ESP-AP holders at the end of July each year, to ensure they have met the required 15 CPD points. This gives certificants four weeks following the end of the financial year to ensure their records are in order.

Should an ESP-AP holder believe they will not be able to obtain the required annual CPD points by 30 June, they should email the Certification Coordinator requesting an extension in order to comply. The extension will not normally be greater than three (3) months. The request must be received by 30 June to be considered – and request does not guarantee acceptance.

Non-Compliance
Should it be found via audit that an ESP-AP holder has not met the requirements, the Certification Coordinator will contact the certificant to advise and provide them a four week grace period to obtain the required points.

If this is not completed in line with CPD Policy and to the satisfaction of the Certification Coordinator, the ESP-AP holder will be removed from the ESP-AP Register.

Should the professional wish to hold ESP-AP Certification again within the next four years, they can undertake the process of renewal of certification. If applying more than four years after lapse, a new certification process will need to be completed.

NON-MEMBERS
ESP-AP holders who are not members of GCA must undertake 15 CPD points each financial year ending 30 June to allow the certification to remain current into the next financial year. There is no limit to this, i.e. as

long as certificants complete the 15 CPD points per year and pay the required annual fee, the ESP-AP Certification remains valid.

Methods of Accrual
The CPD points can be obtained through any of the methods outlined in Section 4 of the CPD Policy, however for ESP-AP holders, five (5) of the 15 CPD points must be related to engineering surveying specifically.

CPD Period
The CPD year is the Australian financial year, that is 1 July – 30 June. You can only include activities undertaken in that period.

Recording CPD
Non-member ESP-AP holders must record all CPD undertaken in the financial year via this form. The form is to be emailed to certification@sssi.org.au by no later than 31 July each year.

Cost
There is a Retention Fee of $385 (inc GST) per year to retain ESP-AP Certification for non members. This fee will be reduced to $215 if 6 or more CPD points are achieved via official GCA programs and events.

An invoice for the Retention Fee will be issued on approval of appropriate CPD being undertaken each year. Payment must be made within 14 days or the ESP-AP holder will be removed from the ESP-AP Register.

Once removed from the register, should the professional wish to hold ESP-AP Certification again within the next four years, they can undertake the process of renewal of certification. If applying more than four years after lapse, a new application will need to be completed.

Audit
The Certification Coordinator, in conjunction with the Engineering Surveying Certification Panel (ESCP), will undertake an audit of all non SSSI member ESP-AP holders at the end of July each year, to ensure they have met the required 15 CPD points.

This gives certificants four weeks following the end of the financial year to ensure their records are in order and submitted.

Should an ESP-AP holder believe they will not be able to obtain the required annual CPD points by 30 June, they should email the Certification Coordinator requesting an extension in order to comply. The extension will not normally be greater than three (3) months. The request must be received by 30 June to be considered – and request does not guarantee acceptance.

Non-Compliance
Should it be found via audit that a non member ESP-AP holder has not met the CPD point requirements, the Certification Coordinator will contact the certificant to advise and provide them a four-week grace period to obtain the required points.

If this is not completed in line with CPD Policy and to the satisfaction of the Certification Coordinator, the ESP-AP holder will be removed from the ESP-AP Register.

Should the professional wish to hold ESP-AP Certification again within the next four years, they can undertake the process of renewal of certification. If applying more than four years after lapse, a full new certification process will need to be completed.