Member Code of Conduct

This Code sets out the standards of professional and ethical conduct expected of everyone admitted to membership of the Institute of Remedial Practices (IRP), regardless of membership category. It exists to protect the standing of the IRP designation, the safety and interests of the public and clients who rely on remedial building work, and the trust members place in one another.

This Code applies to all IRP members, including:

• Individual Members, whether admitted via the Diploma of Built Environment Remediation Practices (11095NAT) or by direct application on qualifications and experience
• Corporate Members and all staff covered under a Corporate membership
• Supplier Associate Members, to the extent this Code relates to conduct, representation, and use of the IRP name

Corporate Members are responsible for ensuring that staff covered under their membership are aware of, and comply with, this Code.

3.1  Competence and currency

Members must perform remedial building work, and represent their capability to perform it, only within the limits of their genuine training, experience, and licensing. Members must maintain the currency of their skills and knowledge, including through the continuing professional development required for their membership category.

3.2  Compliance with law and standards

Members must comply with all applicable laws, regulations, licensing requirements, and industry standards relevant to their work, including, where applicable, the National Construction Code, Australian Standards relevant to remedial and structural work, work health and safety legislation, and state-based building and trade licensing requirements.

3.3  Honest representation

Members must not misrepresent their qualifications, licensing, membership category, or IRP status. A member's IRP designation must be described accurately and must not be used to imply an endorsement, accreditation, or scope of competence the member does not hold.

Members must deal honestly and fairly with clients, colleagues, employers, and the public. In particular, members must not:

• misrepresent the scope, quality, or outcome of remedial work carried out or proposed
• knowingly provide false, misleading, or incomplete information in a professional capacity
• engage in conduct that is dishonest, fraudulent, or brings the profession or IRP into disrepute
• discriminate against or harass clients, colleagues, or members of the public

Members must treat safety as a first-order responsibility in all remedial work, including compliance with applicable work health and safety obligations, and must not knowingly direct or perform work in a manner that creates an unreasonable risk to workers, occupants, or the public.

Members must disclose any financial or personal interest that could reasonably be seen to influence their professional judgement or advice, including undisclosed commissions, referral arrangements, or ownership interests in a recommended product or contractor.

Members must handle client, project, and colleague information responsibly, and must not disclose confidential information obtained in a professional capacity except as required by law, with consent, or as reasonably necessary to perform the work.

Members may describe their IRP membership status only in terms consistent with the category actually held. In particular:

• Supplier Associate membership does not constitute professional accreditation and must not be represented as such
• Members must not imply that IRP endorses a specific product, service, or business beyond the fact of membership itself
• Use of the IRP name, logo, or designation in marketing material must be accurate and, where requested, approved by IRP

Members must cooperate with any IRP inquiry or investigation into conduct under this Code, and should report conduct by another member that they reasonably believe represents a serious breach of this Code or a serious risk to public safety.

10.1  Complaints

Any person may lodge a complaint regarding a member's conduct. Complaints should be made in writing and include enough detail for IRP to assess the matter.

10.2  Review

Complaints are reviewed by the IRP approval and disciplinary panel. The panel may request further information from the complainant, the member concerned, or any other relevant party, and will give the member an opportunity to respond before a decision is made.

10.3  Outcomes

Depending on the nature and severity of a substantiated breach, outcomes may include:

• informal guidance or a written warning
• conditions placed on continued membership, for example additional CPD or supervision
• suspension of membership for a defined period
• revocation of membership

10.4  Right of response

A member subject to a disciplinary decision has the right to be heard and to seek review of the decision in accordance with IRP's governance procedures.

This Code is reviewed periodically by IRP to ensure it remains current with industry standards, regulatory change, and the needs of members and the public. Amendments take effect from the date notified to members.