Customs brokers to face NCBLAC over failure to complete CPD

On Thursday 14 February 2019,  Andrew Crawford (FTA Head of Border and Biosecurity) and Paul Zalai (Director FTA) had the privilege of meeting with National Customs Brokers Licensing Advisory Committee (NCBLAC) representatives: Professor Robin Creyke (Independent Chair), Ernie Dean (Industry representative) and Steve Moore (Government Representative).
 
The meeting included a briefing on a range of customs broker disciplinary matters that have been referred to the committee, including breaches relating to Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
 
2018 / 2019 - CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVEOPMENT (CPD)
 
Six (6) licensed customs brokers have been referred to NCBLAC who will ask them to explain why they failed to meet their CPD requirements. In line with Sec 183CGC Customs Act 1901, individuals face a potential penalty of 60 penalty units ($12,600) and / or licence revocation.
 
The Government representative stated that this non-compliance is the result of an audit of CPD records provided by accredited providers (including FTA) from 1 April 2017 to 31 March 2018 period.
 
Advice was received that CPD providers will again be asked to supply training records for the current period that commenced on 1 April 2018 and concludes on 31 March 2019.
 
Licensed customs brokers are reminded that during each CPD period, a minimum of 30 CPD points must be attained with a maximum of 12 points in Stream B counting towards this total. While courses can be repeated, it is essential to note that CPD points only count once for a course completed within each period. 
 
208 / 2019 - CONTINUED BIOSECURITY COMPETENCY (CBC)
 
The above serves as a timely reminder that the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources also complete similar audits of training records to ensure compliance with Continued Biosecurity Competency (CBC) requirements.
 
CBC is a mandatory requirement for importers and licensed customs brokers to maintain accreditation to the 19.1. Non-commodity for Containerised Cargo Clearance (NCCC) and the 19.2. Automatic Entry Processing for Commodities (AEPCOMM) Approved Arrangements.
 
Those with 19.1 NCCC Approved Arrangement should have by now completed CBC Activity 18-19/02 and those with 19.2 AEPCOMM should have by now completed CBC Activity 18-19/03 – both activities had a prescribed completion date of 4 June 2018.

This notice serves as a final reminder that those with 19.1 NCCC Approved Arrangement and/or 19.2 AEPCOMM Approved Arrangements must also complete CBC Information Session 18-19/01 by 31 March 2019 – available online viawww.CompliancenetFTA.com.au – refer HERE 

Please note that those who participated in our Autumn 2018 Autumn face-to-face sessions in Sydney and Brisbane have completed CBC Information Session 18-19/01 requirement. Members who attended our May 2018 Global Shippers Forum event in Melbourne received complimentary online access to this training.
 
ATTAINMENT RECORD - To ensure compliance with CPD and CBC requirements, FTA members have access to a complete attainment record of face-to-face and online completed courses – accessible using your unique login details / My Accounts/ CPD Statement / continue via www.ComplianceNetFTA.com.au

- view demonstration
 
2019 / 2020 - CPD & CBC – BORDER AND BIOSECURITY COMPLIANCE PROGRAM
 
Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) is delighted to launch the speaker line-up and sessions for our 2019 CPD & CBC – Border and Biosecurity Compliance Program.
 
Our 2019 conferences will be opened by the Regional Commanders of the Australian Border Force in NSW, Queensland and Victoria providing an insight into local activities and broader operational reforms.
 
These keynote addresses will be followed by expert presenters from across government and commerce delivering detailed sessions on modern slavery due diligence, Australian Trusted Trader and related obligations, illegal logging, BMSB review, air cargo security, Free Trade Agreements, TPP-11, lodging of customs declarations within the Commonwealth of Australia, the new products emissions scheme, the Infringement Notice Scheme, insurances and licensing update.
 
Licensed customs brokers will receive a total of 24 CPD points on an attendance basis.
 
Importantly, the day events will also deliver Information Session 19/20 -01 which is a mandatory requirement for importers and licensed customs brokers to maintain accreditation to the 19.1. Non-commodity for Containerised Cargo Clearance (NCCC) and the 19.2. Automatic Entry Processing for Commodities (AEPCOMM) Approved Arrangements.
 
As a further value-add, FTA members who register for these events will receive COMPLIMENTARY CBC online access for the remainder of the 2019/20 period - mandated to maintain 19.1 NCCC & 19.2 AEPCOMM - refer HERE 
 
EVENTS
 
SYDNEY (8.30am to 4.30pm – Tues 9 April 2019) – Novotel, Brighton Le Sands
– SYDNEY DRAFT PROGRAM

BRISBANE (8.30am to 4.30pm – Thurs 2 May 2019) – Novotel, Brisbane Airport
– BRISBANE DRAFT PROGRAM

MELBOURNE (8.30am to 4.30pm – Wed 19 June 2019) – Hyatt Place, Essendon Fields
– MELBOURNE DRAFT PROGRAM
 
Early Bird rate available for first 50 Registrations per event – due to popular demand, the upcoming NSW event has been extended to the first 100 registrations - limited spots remain.

For any enquiries please contact me direct on czalai@FTAlliance.com.au or mobile 0452502812 
 
Caroline Zalai – FTA / APSA