• News
• Articles
• Employment
• Practice Notes
• Websites of Interest
• Find a Designer
• Members’ Weblinks
• DIA Product Selector
• Downloads
• Professional Development (CPD)
• Accredited Designer
• What is CPD?
• CPD Process
• CPD Activities
• CPD Points
• Planning Your CPD Program
• CPD Forms & Booklet

The CPD Process

Each member participates in a self selected variety of learning activities that attract a nominated point score. The DIA's National Education Committee sets a minimum number of points that a member must achieve to fulfil their CPD obligation each year.

Members are responsible for planning and defining the professional learning activities that are relevant to their own discipline, experience and direction. Members are also responsible for the assessment and recording of their CPD points in keeping with normal professional CPD practice. The DIA requires its members to deal ethically and responsibly with their performance and self assessment of CPD. A log book is supplied to members to record their CPD activities.

The DIA expects members to be able to explain the relevance of any CPD activity undertaken for their professional development. Learning may take place in many different ways and each member will have areas of learning that they consider a priority.

Each year you must submit a declaration confirming that you've met the requirements for CPD. Your log book does not need to be submitted with your declaration.

CPD points are recorded over an annual cycle. When membership commences after the beginning of a membership year accreditation can still be achieved at the commencement of the new calendar year by the submission of a verifiable log of CPD activities that meets the required points quota.

CPD Audits

The National Office of the DIA will conduct audits to ensure compliance with CPD requirements. A random sample (a minimum of five per cent) of the members who have signed a CPD declaration will be asked to submit completed log books at the time of renewal of membership. This will normally occur at the end of November. Those members will be given 28 days to return their completed log books to the National Office. The audit will normally be completed by the end of February of the following year (taking into account the holiday period).

It is the responsibility of members to justify their claims for CPD including the relevance of an activity to their professional development. Members need to retain documentation to demonstrate that they have engaged in the CPD activities claimed. This documentation should be kept for three years. Members who are unable to substantiate their CPD claims under audit will have their Accredited status withdrawn and will be required to submit a substantiable log book with their declaration to be reinstated in any subsequent year. In extreme cases of dishonesty membership may be withdrawn.

The DIA will assemble a panel of members to adjudicate and assist the National Office in the audit process as required.

Responsibilities of the DIA

Each State Council of the DIA will establish a mechanism to facilitate CPD eligible programs within the state, promote CPD activities and develop opportunities for members to complete continuing education requirements through DIA programs. Applicable courses run by the design schools at university and TAFE institutions and private providers may be promoted where appropriate.

State Councils may seek assistance from the National Council or the Education Committee in the provision of CPD programs. The State Councils will exchange information and ideas and use the activities calendar to draw attention to new programs.

The DIA is committed to investigating mechanisms to develop educational materials to be available on the web. For states with a geographically widespread membership the DIA will consider use of the website and other media to facilitate the provision of CPD programs and their availability to as many members as possible.

The National Education Committee will undertake review and further development of the CPD policy annually and will issue Accredited Designer certificates and renewal stickers to those members who have complied with the requirements of CPD.

Exemptions

Members who wish to retain Accredited Designer status and are prevented from complying with CPD requirements because of illness or special circumstance may apply for exemption from the CPD requirements for one year. The application for exemption will be made initially to the National Executive Secretary of the DIA. If an application for exemption is rejected the member may appeal to the National Executive Committee. The decision of the National Executive Committee will be final.