Sometime in mid to late 2008, the Director of Compliance of the Office of Fair Trading, Mr Andrew Wilson, resigned. At the same time as appointing a new Assistant Director General to handle that area, the investigations unit was completely overhauled. Specialist units were disbanded and investigators were stream lined. On top of this, all senior investigators jobs were made vacant and advertised. Many senior investigators have now lost their position and new persons appointed.
Time will only tell whether this is a good or a bad thing from an industry standard perspective. Nevertheless, what will happen is that a re-enthused investigative regime will target identified problems. There is no doubt that Leverage Australia’s clients have been faced with more letters from the Complaints Unit and the investigators than ever before. This is evidence of a new vigilance.
One of the areas we should be concerned about is continuing professional development. Leverage is aware that 200 letters have been sent out randomly to agents throughout New South Wales. These letters go direct to the sales person or the property manager and not to the company concerned. They are being required to produce evidence of continuing professional development prior to their last license renewal. They are not just asking for a copy of a receipt that it was undertaken, but a copy of a certificate of attainment.
We suggest that all agencies make certain that their certificates of attainment for the last two years are in order. We would suggest those who hold an administrative position in agencies, have a central file for all these certificates to be kept. Many of our clients seem to have lost their certificates of attainment, not expecting to be asked. The anxiety we suffer and the trouble they need to go to re-obtain their certificate has been in some cases disadvantageous to their business.
If you haven’t done continued professional development you need to contact the Australian College of Professionals urgently to get your CPD Points up to date.
Until next time, Bailey Compton and the team at Leverage Australia and the Australian College of Professionals
