ADVOCACY: It’s a word often heard in association land. But what does it truly mean for our members - contractors, our apprentices, and our broader wall and ceiling industry? In this CEO Bulletin, I want to pull back the curtain on what advocacy really looks like at AWCI Australia—why we do it, how we do it, and the strategic direction we are taking to influence real and lasting change.

What is Advocacy?

Advocacy is about speaking on behalf of a cause, community, or profession. For us at AWCI Australia, advocacy means amplifying the voice of the wall and ceiling sector. It means representing contractors, workers, manufacturers, apprentices, and suppliers on the issues that matter most: licensing, training, safety, compliance, standards, and the sustainability of our trade.

It’s also about influence. Whether we’re working with state regulators, federal policymakers, industry peak bodies or training providers, our goal is the same: to ensure our industry is recognised, respected, and regulated in a way that protects its future and raises its standards.

 

The Advocacy Process – Behind the Scenes

Advocacy is both reactive and proactive. It requires persistence, strong relationships, evidence-based arguments, and a clear strategy. Here’s a snapshot of what advocacy typically involves:

1. Identifying an Issue – This could be poor regulatory oversight, licensing gaps, unfair compliance burdens, training quality issues, or contractor exploitation.
2. Gathering Evidence – Member feedback, technical reports, case studies, surveys, and legal input.
3. Developing a Position – Defining a clear policy recommendation, grounded in industry need and best practice.
4. Engaging Stakeholders – This includes government departments, licensing bodies, training regulators, TAFEs, and other associations.
5. Influencing Change – Submissions, briefings, roundtables, media statements, campaigns, and continuous negotiation.

Advocacy is not a one-time event. It’s an ongoing campaign of influence, education, and collaboration.

 

Our Strategy at AWCI Australia – Reactive and Proactive

At AWCI Australia, our advocacy strategy is twofold:

1. Reactive Advocacy – Responding quickly and strategically to emerging issues that affect our industry:

• Regulatory reforms that might increase red tape
• Changes in insurance or certification requirements
• Government reviews into licensing or workforce planning
• Inconsistencies in training packages or funding structures
• Non-compliance and substandard work affecting our reputation.

This is about protecting our members in real time, ensuring we are always ready to provide a strong, fact-based voice when change threatens our industry.

2. Proactive Advocacy – Driving systemic reform before issues arise:

This is where our Occupational Licensing Advocacy Strategy comes into play. It’s not just about defending the trade—it’s about modernising, professionalising, and future-proofing it.

The Case for Occupational Licensing Reform

We face a national crisis:

• Skills shortages continue to rise.
• Quality concerns and reputational risk increase
• Workers move interstate without recognition of their skills.
• Unlicensed markets remain vulnerable to undercutting and poor compliance
• Licensed markets suffer from inconsistent oversight and outdated relicensing systems.

To tackle these challenges, AWCI Australia has developed a National Occupational Licensing Framework, which has become the foundation of our proactive advocacy work.

 

AWCI Australia’s Licensing Framework – Building the Trade of the Future

Our vision is a harmonised national licensing system—one that ensures anyone working as a wall and ceiling contractor in Australia meets consistent, high-quality standards.

This means:

• Introducing licensing in currently unlicensed states
• Strengthening relicensing requirements in licensed jurisdictions
• Facilitating mutual recognition of qualifications and licenses across state lines
• Lifting quality and safety through mentoring, CPD, and standards enforcement

Our framework is underpinned by five strategic pillars:

 

THE FIVE PILLARS OF AWCI AUSTRALIA’S LICENSING FRAMEWORK

1. Clear Legislative Framework

We are pushing for harmonised licensing laws across all jurisdictions. This would ensure contractors in all states operate under the same rules and expectations, reducing confusion, improving labour mobility, and elevating standards across the board.

Why it matters: Inconsistencies between licensed and unlicensed states weaken the profession. With a unified legislative foundation, we create a level playing field.

 

2. Industry Standards and Quality Assurance

Licensing must be tied to enforceable industry standards. These include the Australian Standards, the NCC, manufacturer guidelines, and industry-developed technical codes of practice.

Why it matters: Too often we hear about substandard workmanship, safety breaches, and system misuse. A national licensing regime can support inspections, reporting, and industry-wide accountability.

 

3. Tailored Education and Professional Training

We are embedding structured training pathways into our licensing model. This includes:

• Modern, industry-aligned apprenticeships
• Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programs
• Micro-credentials and specialist upskilling

Why it matters: The future of our trade depends on qualified, adaptable workers. Licensing should reflect not just entry-level capability, but lifelong learning.

 

4. Robust Compliance and Enforcement

We want to see a dual compliance system—government and industry—that ensures rules are followed. Licensing must come with visible accountability through audits, penalties, and education.

Why it matters: Without enforcement, licensing is just a piece of paper. With it, we uphold the reputation of professional contractors and weed out unscrupulous operators.

 

5. Proactive Stakeholder Engagement

We believe reform is only possible when industry, government, and training sectors work together. AWCI is leading this by creating forums, participating in working groups, consulting members, and sharing practical solutions.

Why it matters: Government policy only changes when backed by united, evidence-based advocacy. AWCI is the trusted, national voice to bring stakeholders to the table.

 

How We’re Applying This Framework – State by State

Unlicensed States (VIC, TAS, WA)

• Pushing for introduction of contractor licensing
• Submitting to government reviews (e.g., WA Treasury Review, QPC in QLD)
• Presenting licensing as a productivity and safety measure, not just red tape
• Promoting pre-licensing programs, such as our proposed BlueCard

Licensed States (QLD, NSW, SA)

• Advocating for relicensing reforms including:
  • CPD
  • Wellness and Mentoring for apprentices.
  • Ongoing qualifications renewal
• Calling out current compliance gaps and inspection inconsistencies
• Promoting joint enforcement models (regulator + industry inspectors)

Nationally

• Seeking mutual recognition across states to allow easier worker movement.
• Campaigning for licensing to be linked to training, CPD, and quality assurance
• Highlighting our industry's unique needs in national skills and workforce agendas

Your Role in Advocacy

We can’t do this alone. Advocacy is strongest when it is backed by an active and informed membership base.

Here’s how you can support:

• Stay up to date with our bulletins and policy briefs.
• Participate in member forums, surveys, and consultations
• Invite us to visit your job sites or run toolbox talks.
• Share stories of what’s working and what’s not in your region
• Write to your local MP or regulator with AWCI’s support

When we advocate together, we win together.

 

Final Thoughts – Advocacy Is What Sets Us Apart

Many organisations provide training. Others offer insurance or discounts. But only an industry association can advocate—and that’s what makes your membership so valuable.

AWCI Australia is here to be your voice. Whether it’s through our national inspection program, our BlueCard initiative, or our push for licensing reform—we are fighting for the future of the trade.

Join us. Back us. And help shape the industry you’re proud to work in.

Yours in advocacy and action,