ENGINEERS AUSTRALIA ANNUAL REPORT
2019– 2020 ANNUAL REPORT 2019–2020 CONTENTS 02 21 53 Progress against Diversity and Who we are 1 7.0 strategic priorities 8 inclusion 04 23 56 Be the trusted Environmental The year in review 2 7.1 voice of the 9 sustainability profession 08 31 60 Engineers Australia Provide a Executive 3 highlights 7.2 professional 10 Leadership Team home for life 10 37 62 Engineers Uphold Thank you to our 4 Australia Board 7.3 professional 11 volunteers and standards office bearers 14 43 68 Create tomorrow’s Overview of Board in action 5 7.4 engineers 12 financial results 17 47 20|20+3 Vision Operate 6 Our strategy 7.5 sustainably for 2020–23
1 ENGINEERS AUSTRALIA ANNUAL REPORT 2019–2020 1 WHO WE ARE OUR WORK
With around 100,000 individual members, Engineers Australia is the profession’s peak body. We are the voice of the profession, and exist to advance the science and practice of engineering for the benefit of the community.
Our high standards, globally- Founded in 1919 as the Institution recognised credentials and international of Engineers Australia, our work has agreements enable Engineers Australia underpinned the progress of our nation members to live and work around the for more than a century. Engineering Speak as the voice of the Recognise and celebrate Evaluate members for our engineering profession, engineering excellence internationally-benchmarked world, with our members currently plays a pivotal role in society and will including through government, through prestigious individual Chartered credentials, now held by in more than 120 countries. continue to shape the future of Australia, community and media advocacy and project awards a record 26,400 members creating healthy, just, prosperous, secure and sustainable communities. ABOUT THIS REPORT
This annual report provides comprehensive • Provide members with information about the information on our achievements for the 2019–20 main activities and financial performance of our financial year. It aims to: organisation Maintain the largest register for Accredit Australian tertiary Advance engineering knowledge • Inform members of measurable progress • Inform stakeholders, partners, media and the engineering profession, the engineering programs to through our nine discipline- against our strategic priorities government of our areas of focus as the peak National Engineering Register international benchmarks based colleges and 29 specialist body for the engineering profession in Australia (NER), which currently includes including the Sydney, Dublin technical societies • Ensure transparent and responsible reporting that more than 23,000 engineers and Washington Accords meets governance best practice
COVID-19
We have included details of Engineers government and industry, both in the immediate Australia’s responses to COVID-19 where response and through longer-term initiatives such Deliver professional development Represent Australia in the Assess migrant skills relevant throughout this report. as formulating COVID-19 Recovery: A 9-Point Plan. to the engineering profession International Engineering Alliance applications on behalf of the and develop agreements for Australian Government Our online capability has advanced rapidly, While many of our team have worked remotely, global professional mobility particularly in the delivery of continuing professional we have continued to deliver – for members, development. We have worked closely with for our staff and for the community.
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THE YEAR IN REVIEW: THE YEAR IN REVIEW: BOARD CHAIR CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
For over a century since our founding, Engineers Australia If I had to pick one theme for Engineers Australia’s work has stood with engineers and with our community through this year, it would be resilience. As the peak body and voice the challenges of war, economic cycles and natural disasters of the engineering profession, in providing support for our – and 2019–20 has certainly been one for the history books. community and as an employer, resilience is a quality that we’ve embodied and that we’ve helped to foster in others.
Our Centenary celebrations in 2019 were followed Engineers Australia finishes 2019–20 with a When we are connected, we are more resilient than with our internationally-benchmarked Chartered by bushfires, floods and the onset in early 2020 of strong financial position that has enabled us to when we stand alone. In response to the devastating credential. We have also extended our diversity and the global COVID-19 pandemic, all of which was set expand services to our members and extend bushfire season, and then to COVID-19, we have inclusion focus beyond gender, adding initiatives to against a background of geopolitical power shifts, concessions to members in financial need. harnessed our network of 100,000 members to further support Indigenous and LGBTQI+ engineers. rapidly advancing technology and climate change. source expert advice and practical assistance. I would like to congratulate our CEO, Dr Bronwyn I would like to thank the Engineers Australia Board Despite the challenges, Engineers Australia Evans, on a successful entry to the role, and Engineers Australia has worked closely with and its Chair, our volunteers and our staff for their has made significant progress in 2019–20, to thank all involved in our achievements this government and business this year. Our advocacy hard work, adaptability and support this year. including a rapid rise in digital capability as year. This includes those who share with me has included strong media engagement, numerous The economic impact of COVID-19 has, to date, part of our COVID-19 response, which has the privilege of serving on our Board, and our government submissions and the formulation of affected engineers less than other professions. also included extensive advocacy and practical 2,000 volunteers who, as always, have given so future-focused documents such as our 20|20+3 Vision Many in the engineering team are engaged on site assistance for the profession and community. generously of their time, energy and expertise. strategy and COVID-19 Recovery: A 9-Point Plan. in services considered essential – including defence, In his inaugural Presidential Address, Engineers Looking to the future, we have set a new course as I have also convened a series of roundtables construction, utilities, logistics, transport, health Australia’s first President, William Henry Warren, articulated in our organisational strategy 20|20+3 bringing private and public sector leaders and manufacturing – while others are working raised the desirability of the compulsory registration Vision, described in these pages. Developed after together to share perspectives, challenges and remotely across an even wider range of endeavours. of engineers. Fittingly, 2019–20 has seen us make intensive consultation, 20|20+3 Vision is designed lessons learned on topics including engineering However, with Australia facing ongoing health historic strides, with both Victoria and New South to help engineers, the broader engineering team responses to climate change and COVID-19. and economic uncertainty, Engineers Australia Wales legislating for engineer registration. This and the profession become future-ready, increase In 2019–20, Engineers Australia’s online will continue to take a proactive and determined will safeguard the community and is a tribute to our public impact and amplify the benefits of capability has advanced rapidly as we, like approach to supporting our members, the wider Engineers Australia’s longstanding advocacy – but membership on business and career success. other organisations, succeeded in the world’s profession and our community in the coming year. shows the foibles of operating within a federation. While the strategy will bring a degree of change, largest and fastest experiment in remote Engineers Australia, ably led by now Past President the Engineers Australia purpose remains the working and digital service delivery. Hon Trish White, brought Australian engineering same: to advance the science and practice of Engineers Australia is now reaching more engineers to the global stage in co-hosting the World engineering for the benefit of the community. than ever before. We finish 2019–20 with a calendar Engineers Convention in Melbourne in November of quality webinars using the “best of the best” 2019. This hugely successful event was the presenters from around Australia and the world, as Dr Bronwyn Evans culmination of our Centenary celebrations, and well as a growing library of recorded videos on our an opportunity to underscore engineering’s role BE (Elec) PhD HonFIEAust CPEng EngExec NER FTSE new platform EA OnDemand. Our online forum EA in shaping Australia and its continuing importance Mr Chris Champion Xchange has grown, as has our social media audience. Chief Executive Officer to almost every aspect of contemporary life. We have a larger non-student membership than BE(Hons) MEngSc FIEAust CPEng EngExec NER FIPWEA(Emeritus) GAICD ever before, including a record number of members National President and Board Chair
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ENGINEERS AUSTRALIA IN ACTION
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ENGINEERS AUSTRALIA HIGHLIGHTS
ENGINEERING REGISTRATION CREDENTIALS GROWTH 100 YEARS ON | WORLD STAGE COVID-19 A breakthrough for community safety Record non-student membership (+5%) Brought the World Engineers Helping our staff, members in VIC and NSW and holders of Chartered (+7%) Convention to Australia during and community and Engineering Executive (+19%) our Centenary credentials
146,150
ONLINE ADVANCES VISION 20|20+3 EVENTS AUDIENCE UP LGBTQI+ SUPPORT New CPD video library, webinars Our future strategy articulated Event registration rose 58% InterEngineer group and podcast (2018—19: 92,395) founding partner
8 9 ENGINEERS AUSTRALIA ANNUAL REPORT 2019–2020 4 ENGINEERS AUSTRALIA BOARD
The then-President of the World Federation of Engineering Organizations, Dr Marlene Kanga, and the then-President of Engineers Australia, Hon Trish White, sign The Melbourne Declaration on Engineering a Sustainable World at the World Engineers Convention.
10 11 ENGINEERS AUSTRALIA ANNUAL REPORT 2019–2020 Mr Hurol Inan Ms Lucia Cade Dr Nick Fleming Mr Chris Champion Hon Trish White Dr Raj Aseervatham Major General Board Director Board Director Board Director National President Board Director Board Director Marcus Thompson BSc (Ind Eng) MS BE(Civil) BEc MEngSc MBA BE(Hons) PhD FIEAust CPEng and Board Chair and Past President BEng (Aust) MEngSt (Aust) Board Director Since 2018 (appointed) FIEAust FAICD EngExec NER GAICD BE(Hons) MEngSc FIEAust BE(Elec) BA FIEAust CPEng PhD (Aust) MBA (Aust) AM BE(Elect) BBus M Defence Since 2018 (elected) Since 2017 (elected) CPEng EngExec NER EngExec NER FAICD Since 2019 (elected) Studies MA Strategic Studies Hurol is a company director and FIPWEA(Emeritus) GAICD Since 2016 (elected) PhD FIEAust CPEng EngExec advisory board member. He is Lucia is an experienced Nick has consulted across Raj has more than 30 years’ Since 2018 (elected) Since 2020 (elected) an investor in and advisor to non-executive director and the infrastructure, natural Trish is a professional professional experience, mainly multiple technology startups chair with a professional resources, water, mining, energy Chris was Chief Executive company director who serves in the mining, oil and gas, and Marcus was appointed to in Australia and Europe, engineering and commercial and defence sectors in Australia Officer of the Institute of Public on and chairs the boards of energy sectors. He has been the role of Head Information assisting them with their background in the private, and internationally. He provides Works Engineering Australasia large organisations in the a board member of mining, Warfare for the Australian business, sales and marketing listed and government sectors. business advisory, strategy for 15 years. Before this, he had transport, infrastructure, consulting and nanotechnology Defence Force in 2017. strategies. He has 30 years’ Her portfolio currently spans and innovation services across 30 years’ experience in local property, manufacturing and enterprises, and a joint- He has been deployed to a experience in management utilities, manufacturing, multiple sectors and delivers government engineering. Chris university sectors. She is also venture board advisor for number of overseas operations, consulting, technology, digital waste recycling, energy executive education with the is also the Secretary General the Executive Director of several large energy projects. commanded at every level transformation and marketing. research and investment. ANZ School of Government. of the International Federation consultancy Slingsby Taylor. from Troop to Brigade, and was of Municipal Engineering. appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2014.
ENGINEERS AUSTRALIA BOARD
12 13 ENGINEERS AUSTRALIA ANNUAL REPORT 2019–2020 5 BOARD IN ACTION
Dr Nick Fleming, Dr Bronwyn Evans, Mr Hurol Inan, Hon Trish White, Mr Chris Champion, Ms Michelle Kennedy and Ms Lucia Cade at Engineers Australia’s 2019 AGM, farewelling former Board Director Ms Michelle Kennedy (second from right).
Dr Nick Fleming, Mr Raj Aseervatham and Mr Chris Champion discusss engineering responses to climate change at an Engineers Australia roundtable in February 2020.
BOARD, COMMITTEE AND FORUM PARTICIPATION
In 2019–20, the Board held four meetings online, as well as meeting in person in Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne. Discussions included sustainability, the future of the profession, registration of engineers and the response to COVID-19. The Board also participated in a number of committees and forums including the:
• Audit and Risk Committee • International Committee
IMAGES: • Board Nominations Committee • Accreditation Board
The Queensland Division President Mr Colin Mitchell and Board Chair Mr Chris Champion cut the ceremonial ribbon • Engineering Futures Committee • Professional Standards Committee at the opening of Engineers Australia’s new Brisbane office. • People and Culture Committee • Honours and Awards Committee Mr Chris Champion addresses Engineers Australia’s 2019 Annual General Meeting (AGM). • College Chairs Forum • Engineering Education Australia Board Mr Hurol Inan and Dr Bronwyn Evans at the launch of the InterEngineer group, an initiative to support LGBTQI+ engineers. • Engineering Practice Advisory Committee • EngInsure Board Mr Greg Walters, Dr Nick Fleming and Mr John McIntosh at the World Engineers Convention. • National Congress • EngMedia Board
Mr Chris Champion, Dr Bronwyn Evans, and Hon Trish White at one of our popular International Women’s Day events. • Presidents Forum • Governance Committee
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OUR STRATEGY FOR 2020–23
Now is the time to lay the groundwork for the future. Our strategy will help engineers become future-ready, increasing our profession’s public impact and amplifying the benefits of membership on business and career success. The strategy’s name, 20|20+3 Vision, denotes I think engineers, as problem solvers, have the ability to clarity and sharpness. It is our clear vision of where we want to be in three years’ time. enable a lot of the emerging solutions required for the world’s resource problems. Engineers are great at bringing Even though Engineers Australia continues to ideas to life, scaling up prototypes and rigorously testing change and improve, our core purpose after more than a century remains unchanged: solutions before rolling them out. We just need more to advance the science and practice of engineers in global decision-making roles. engineering for the benefit of the community.
NICOLA TELCIK FIEAust CPEng NER Associate Project Manager, Arcadis
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VALUE TO MEMBERS
Members can expect a number of benefits from the 20|20+3 Vision strategy:
• Engineers will be better prepared for • Members will see more benefit from the future of the profession Engineers Australia membership • Engineers will see and hear Engineers • It will be easier for engineers to access Australia influencing engineering- and use our products and services related issues • We will inspire engineers and our AREAS OF INFLUENCE • Members will see employers and volunteers will feel appreciated peers place more value on the and valued 20|20+3 Vision involves strategic shifts over three main areas of influence. Chartered credential Our profession Our membership Our organisation We represent the profession in Employers and the broader Engineers Australia should be the media and with government, profession value Engineers a high-performing organisation providing leadership on the most Australia membership and that is easy to do business with. important issues for engineers credentials highly, and we The coming years will see us DEVELOPING THE STRATEGY and society, such as climate seek to further increase the deliver services more efficiently change and sustainability. esteem in which they hold and effectively while increasing these affiliations. This includes our focus on our customers and Engineers Australia will also building stronger relationships their needs. This has already Engineers Australia undertook significant consultation with members and volunteers. help engineers prepare for the with engineering employers and been seen, for instance, in future. This includes ensuring promoting our brand so that our recent streamlining of the our Learned Society remains We also reflected on the data and insights yielded all aspire to membership and process to apply for membership relevant as the profession by our investments in quantitative and qualitative Chartered status. online, which halved the evolves, for example, by using research. Our research involved member surveys number of steps required. and a brand audit as well as consideration of high quality “micro-credentials” stakeholder perceptions, engineering career that contribute to continuing stages and emotional drivers for engineers. professional development.
The 20|20+3 Vision strategy has been reviewed in light of COVID-19 and aspects of it, such as the use of digital technology, have been accelerated in response. As we implement the strategy, we will tailor our approach to the changing circumstances and work with employers, government and others to increase the resilience of Australia’s economy and society during and after COVID-19.
18 19 ENGINEERS AUSTRALIA ANNUAL REPORT 2019–2020 7 PROGRESS AGAINST STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
Our long-term strategic priorities are:
Be the trusted voice of the profession
Provide a professional home for life
Uphold professional standards
Create tomorrow’s engineers The acceleration of new technologies to market and the diversification of applications is very exciting. Artificial intelligence, robotics, automation, cyber security Operate sustainably and micro-processing are currently opening new doors to what wasn’t previously possible.
KELLY LANCE FIEAust CPEng NER Senior Systems Engineer, Department of Defence/Nova Systems
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7.1 BE THE TRUSTED VOICE OF THE PROFESSION
Engineers Australia works in partnership with decision-makers in government, industry and academia to provide evidence-based guidance. It is through these partnerships, along with establishing ourselves as subject-matter experts for media comment, that we build visibility and increase the credibility of engineering as a profession. In 2019–20 we had a successful year, with strong media coverage, numerous government submissions and direct engagement with parliamentarians. In particular, the passage of statutory registration for engineers in Victoria and New South Wales is testament to the success of our longstanding advocacy campaign.
The Chair of our Environmental College Ms Lara Harland addresses a roundtable convened in February 2020 by our CEO on engineering responses to climate change.
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GOVERNMENT POLICY RELATIONS SUCCESSES
Engineers Australia continually engages with government ministers Engagement and influence and other decision-makers to promote engineering interests. REGISTRATION VICTORY We regularly develop responses and submissions in IN NSW AND VIC consultation with members through Engineers Australia’s colleges, technical societies and other groups. During the 2019–20 marked a significant milestone Our government relations activities during 2019–20 included providing submissions to government 2019–20 financial year, we made 20 submissions with in securing a stronger profession underpinned inquiries and policy reviews, advocating for legislation, and participating in stakeholder forums. the goal of influencing policy and legislative outcomes by greater public confidence. The passage of on topics including registration of engineers and: mandatory registration legislation for engineers We have also been invited to brief politicians and asked to give evidence to legislative in New South Wales and Victoria brought Western Australia’s reforms to the approval process for inquiries, demonstrating that we are seen as the trusted voice of the profession. Ҋ Australia’s two most populous states more in commercial buildings By being closely involved in policy and decision-making at the highest levels of government, line with the existing regulatory requirements we ensure the views of the engineering profession are considered. Ҋ The Commonwealth’s Technology Investment Roadmap that Queensland has had for 90 years. Ҋ Victoria’s Legislative Council Inquiry into nuclear generation With registration set to soon apply to 75% prerequisites of the Australian economy, the new laws are a clear validation of Engineers Australia’s Ҋ Tasmania’s 30-year infrastructure strategy Our ongoing efforts to represent the interests Infrastructure Future of the profession to government. Ҋ The Energy Security Board’s post-2025 market design Registration will benefit community Ҋ The Climate Change Authority’s updated advice to government safety and enhance the professional Ҋ Standards Australia’s Developing Standards status of engineers. for Artificial Intelligence It will move Australia much closer to a Engineers Australia is regularly invited to become a member consistent, nationwide registration system. of government advisory panels. In 2019–20, we were Member meetings and surveys also indicated represented on groups including the: significant support for the reforms among Ҋ National Bushfire Recovery Peak Bodies Forum Engineers Australia members, underpinning our advocacy. Ҋ NSW government’s Building Reform Experts Panel Ҋ In Victoria, the Professional Engineers Space Industry Leaders Forum Ҋ Registration Bill 2019 was passed by Other examples of our engagement and influence with Parliament in August 2019 government and industry include: Ҋ In June 2020, the New South Wales Ҋ The Engineers Australia Engineering Responses to Parliament passed the Design and Building Climate Change Roundtable (see “Environmental sustainability” Practitioners Bill, which also enables section for detail) regulation in other areas of engineering Ҋ Engineers Australia’s executive roundtable in Sydney on Our work in securing engineer registration Engineers Australia consulted closely with members on the issue of registration. New South Wales member challenges and opportunities for the engineering profession, was recognised in two public affairs awards: Ms Therese Flapper discusses her support on camera (above). National Manager, Public Affairs and Policy with participants including CEOs and executives from companies an International Association of Business Advocacy, Mr Jonathan Russell, listens to Mr Ian Webster (right). such as Cochlear, Downer, Laing O’Rourke, Thales and WSP Communicators’ Gold Quill Award of Merit, and the Public Affairs Asia Gold Standard Ҋ An Engineering Workforce Planning Session with the ACT Chief Award for Government Relations. Engineer – we participated and were invited to further consult with the ACT Government on the development of a draft workforce plan
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SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITY
CRISIS PREPAREDNESS SPEAKING UP ON COVID-19 CELEBRATING OUR ENGINEERING HEROES In April 2020, a previously-confidential report on As the voice of the profession, Engineers Australia CENTENARY PODCAST Australia’s vulnerabilities in the event of a global crisis has worked with industry and members to identify hit the headlines – with predictions the ABC’s 7.30 issues requiring our advocacy, and to have In 2019, Engineers Australia celebrated its Engineers Australia has added a weekly described as “eerily” accurate in the light of COVID-19. engineering perspectives heard in government. Centenary, marking 100 years of supporting podcast to its repertoire of channels to share engineers and raising the standing of the real engineering stories directly with our Now publicly available, that report was the work of As a peak body, information we’ve communicated profession in the service of the community. members and the engineering profession. Engineers Australia and a workshop we convened in 2018 to our members has included links to government in response to a request by the Australian Government. assistance, legal information and health guidance. Our comprehensive Centenary campaign incorporated In May, we “adopted” the podcast Engineering a mix of events, publications, competitions, media and Heroes, and re-launched it with an episode Hosted in our Melbourne office, the workshop We have also communicated requests from other social media and reached more than 5 million people. featuring Engineers Australia CEO Dr Bronwyn gathered 17 engineers from a range of key organisations for assistance from engineers, Evans. This popular episode drove the podcast In this annual report, you can see quotes from some industries to “wargame” a scenario in which for example in facilitating supply of personal to its record ranking, number four in the of the members featured on our Centenary website – global supply chains were severely disrupted. protective equipment (PPE) and ventilators. careers section of Apple’s Australian charts. which was viewed more than 163,000 times – as part The exercise enabled us to explore: where Australia’s Our activities have included: of the “100 Members making a difference” section. Other interviewees have included: ACT Chief greatest vulnerabilities lay; the timing of impacts Engineer, Adrian Piani; the Chair of the Engineers Ҋ Keeping members informed on important news Our Centenary campaign reached on medical supplies, liquid fuel, water treatment surrounding the pandemic, associated restrictions Australia Indigenous Engineers Group, Grant Maher; and other essentials; and likely community and requests for help from the engineering profession more than 5 million people. and the Founder of Board Presence, Stacey Daniel. responses such as panic buying and hoarding. through our existing award-winning publications as well as a new e-newsletter, From the CEO Our Centenary theme was “Anything is possible”, with Work like this is an example of Engineers Australia helping content and activities selected to foster a sense of the community to benefit from engineering expertise. Ҋ A new report, COVID-19 Recovery: A 9-Point Plan, pride among engineers, celebrate the contribution SEASON 4 / EPISODE 4 which forms the basis of our advocacy to ensure the of volunteers and raise public understanding of engineering perspective is considered how the profession has driven human progress. INDIGENOUS ENGAGEMENT BUSHFIRE RESPONSE AND RECOVERY Ҋ A series of roundtables convened by our CEO on the with Grant Maher Throughout the Australian bushfires of 2019 and subject “COVID-19: Business as unusual” Key activities included: 2020 and subsequent recovery efforts, Engineers Industry liaison to facilitate rapid increase in intensive Australia supported our colleagues and communities, Ҋ Ҋ Events in every state and territory, and care unit capacity, resulting in a letter of advice to the offering whatever assistance we could to existing internationally, including celebrations on 1 August Federal Minister for Health agencies and taskforces. Our response included: 2019 to celebrate the actual anniversary of our 1919 founding SEASON 4 / EPISODE 9 Ҋ Acting as a point of member liaison with government Ҋ Linking engineers willing to volunteer with victims via through our contacts with the National COVID-19 Partner Housing Australasia’s register Ҋ Three books: Wonders Never Cease: 100 Australian ENGINEERS ON BOARDS Commission Advisory Board Engineering Achievements; Anything is Possible: with Stacey Daniel Ҋ Participating in the National Bushfire Recovery Peak Surveying members to determine the effectiveness of our 100 Engineering Leaders; and Engineers Australia: Bodies Forum Ҋ communications around the pandemic – this found high 100 Years of Progress Ҋ Making paid leave available for staff involved in the awareness of, and receptiveness to, our communications Ҋ Promotion at the World Engineers Convention, emergency response hosted in Melbourne in November Ҋ Implementing flexible work arrangements for staff Ҋ Articles in our publications and on our social SEASON 4 / EPISODE 6 affected by bushfire smoke or property damage media channels SOLVE THE RIGHT PROBLEM Ҋ Competitions open to engineers, schoolchildren and members of the public with Adrian Piani
IMAGE: The first meeting of the Council of the Institution of Engineers Australia, 1919.
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MEDIA PRESENCE SOCIAL MEDIA GROWTH
A key role for Engineers Australia as the peak body Ҋ Our comments on the mandatory engineers registration for engineering is to raise awareness and appreciation required by the New South Wales Government’s Design LINKEDIN YOUTUBE INSTAGRAM of engineers and the role they play in society. and Building Practitioners Bill received strong media COMPANY PAGE FOLLOWERS FOLLOWERS coverage, including from The Sydney Morning Herald, In 2019–20, we maintained a strong media presence The Australian Financial Review, The Daily Telegraph, ABC FOLLOWERS to help build the profile of the engineering profession Radio Sydney and Sky News, as well as ABC Radio and its importance. Newcastle, Triple M Newcastle and 2GB radio. We continue to be understood in the media as reliable Ҋ Engineers Australia’s submission to the New South subject-matter experts. Journalists come to us for comment 45% 113% 33% Wales parliamentary inquiry into building standards because they see us as the trusted voice of the profession. was included in a Sydney Morning Herald story on This has led to a very strong mainstream media presence combustible cladding, which was syndicated nationally. INCREASE INCREASE INCREASE in the past year across all platforms: print, radio, online The Herald Sun published an interview with us about and television. We appeared in publications including The insurance exemptions for cladding in Victoria. 2018–19: 63,000 2018–19: 1,740 2018–19: 6,700 Guardian, Sydney Morning Herald, The Australian, Australian Ҋ The Australian Financial Review featured Engineers Financial Review, and news.com.au. Engineers Australia Australia in a story about building infrastructure 2019–20: 91,175 2019–20: 2,490 2019–20: 8,899 also appeared on Channels 7, 9, and 10, and ABC TV, following the bushfire crisis, in which we said that SBS TV and Sky News. national construction standards for buildings and roads + 28,175 FOLLOWERS +750 FOLLOWERS +2,199 FOLLOWERS Our media engagement in 2019–20 may need to be reviewed given the intensity of the fires. helped to drive our successful campaign Ҋ Engineers Australia’s launch of Tasmania’s Heritage for the registration of engineers. Marker Map was covered by the Burnie Advocate and the Launceston Examiner, while Hobart’s WIN TV and We featured in over 3,000 media stories – print, ABC Radio Northern Tasmania featured interviews LINKEDIN GROUP TWITTER FACEBOOK online, radio and TV – across the country. about Tasmania’s contribution to engineering. MEMBERS FOLLOWERS FOLLOWERS Ҋ Our response to the evacuation of Mascot Towers Ҋ Our comments that university commencements in Sydney due to structural cracks received over 700 nationally in engineering were at the lowest level in a mentions nationally across TV, print, online and radio, decade were syndicated in News Corp Australia outlets helping to drive our campaign for the registration of across the nation, as well as ABC Radio news bulletins. engineers with coverage including The Guardian, Sydney The story first appeared in The Adelaide Advertiser. 13% 6% 6% Morning Herald, The Australian, Australian Financial Review, Channel 7, Channel 9, SBS and the ABC. Ҋ Stories from EA’s Centenary publication, Wonders Never Cease, were popular with regional media. ABC Southern INCREASE INCREASE INCREASE Ҋ ABC TV’s Four Corners featured Engineers Australia in its Queensland, ABC Capricornia, ABC Central Victoria, special investigation into Australia’s apartment building ABC Riverina, ABC Goldfields and ABC North and West 2018–19: 57,000 2018–19: 14,000 2018–19: 124,900 crisis. We discussed a crisis of confidence in the building South Australia, as well as many online and print outlets, industry and the need for a comprehensive compulsory covered stories inspired by the book. 2019–20: 64,628 2019–20: 14,899 2019–20: 131,907 registration scheme for engineers in all states and territories. We then conducted follow-up interviews with ABC Radio Drive Canberra, 2CC Canberra and +7,628 FOLLOWERS +899 FOLLOWERS +7,007 FOLLOWERS ABC Darwin online.
LINKEDIN TWITTER FACEBOOK Monthly engagements Monthly engagements Monthly engagements 2018–19: 9,160 2018–19: 409 2018–19: 76,925 2019–20: 11,511 2019–20: 924 2019–20: 73,591 Monthly impressions Monthly impressions Monthly reach 2018–19: 386,543 2018–19: 85,718 2018–19: 1,554,292 Engineers Australia CEO Dr Bronwyn Evans addresses 2019–20: 340,769 2019–20: 88,165 2019–20: 1,411,041 the media after the passing of a bill for the registration of engineers in NSW. DEFINITITONS Engagements: the number of shares, likes/reactions, clicks and video views Reach: the number of people who see content Impressions: how many times the content is displayed
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7.2 PROVIDE A PROFESSIONAL HOME FOR LIFE
Engineers Australia has around 100,000 members across numerous engineering disciplines and sectors across Australia, as well as in 120 countries around the world. We aim to provide a professional home for all engineers, in all locations and at all career stages. Our goal is to provide for members throughout their entire careers: supporting students and graduates entering the workplace; improving the attraction and retention of women in engineering; and delivering customer-focused, high-quality professional development for engineers across different disciplines, sectors and regions.
OUR GOAL IS TO PROVIDE FOR MEMBERS THROUGHOUT THEIR ENTIRE CAREERS
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ENGINEERS AUSTRALIA MEMBERSHIP INCREASES TO MORE THAN 100,000
We support early-career engineers through a range of resources and During 2019–20, our overall membership increased to 100,911 members. activities, including events such as one held as part of the Our non-student membership grew to almost 72,750, a 5% increase World Engineers Convention (pictured). on the previous year. This represents an all-time record.
SUPPORTING EARLY- new online mentoring program Ҋ New engagement offer: Our while participants of our Graduate 12-month specialist graduate CAREER ENGINEERS Program will get priority access to engagement offer for industry Growth in our non-student membership: Total membership: Our membership growth strategy become mentees. partners has been adopted by companies including Aurecon, has centred on creating more value Ҋ Festival of Fresh Ideas: Held over Arcadis and Honeywell. Industry for our members and boosting a two-week period in September 72,748 partners financially support efforts to support graduates 2019, the Festival of Fresh Ideas graduates’ membership. setting out on their careers. was a national event that featured events, workshops, industry Grade 30 June 18 30 June 19 30 June 20 Key initiatives that supported this strategy in 2019–20 included: site tours, webinars, podcasts and networking designed to Hon. Fellow 178 179 182 STRONG MEMBER Ҋ Engineers Without Borders inspire and engage early-career Partnership: The Engineers 69,146 Fellow 6,739 7,233 7,571 engineers. It attracted more than ENGAGEMENT Without Borders Challenge is 1,500 attendees. Member 46,616 48,527 51,088 a pioneering program that teaches Our member retention for 2019–20 Ҋ O-week: Staff and student was a strong 91%, consolidating Affiliates & Companions 254 299 376 first-year engineering students to design creative solutions to ambassadors attended 27 gains made the previous year. university O-week events, Graduate 12,740 12,908 13,531 real-world problems. This year, for Member net promoter scores remain 66,527 culminating in over 1,600 the first time, participants were high and positive at +20. We also Student 31,138 27,813 28,163 memberships. We formed two offered student membership with regularly survey our members to new Engineers Australia student Total non-student 66,527 69,146 72,748 Engineers Australia, resulting in better inform our decision making. In societies, one at the University 3,590 new student members. 2019–20, an increasing proportion of Southern Queensland and the of members reported personal and Total 97,665 96,959 100,911 Ҋ Mentor Match: Launched in June other at Victoria University. 2020, more than 340 volunteer career benefit from membership. 2018 2019 2020 mentors have registered for our
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EMBRACING PROGRESS
New CBD member facilities
Engineers Australia has opened new contemporary, attractive and EngInsure is committed to providing centrally-located member facilities in CBD Sydney and Brisbane. greater certainty for engineering businesses through the effective Spaces include large auditoriums capable of seating up to 160 people management of insurance and risk. that can also be divided to accommodate smaller groups and functions by using moveable, acoustic-rated wall systems. Other facilities We have focused on strengthening for members include meeting rooms, boardrooms, quiet rooms, EngInsure products for our kitchenettes and hot desks for members to work from when visiting. members by aligning with Materials were carefully selected for their environmental qualities. engineers’ needs in both their personal and professional lives. Engineers Australia also renovated staff areas within its existing office in Chatswood, Sydney. EngInsure is committed to developing and providing products for every stage of an engineer’s professional EA Xchange connects more engineers life, from engineering students through to senior engineering Engineers Australia’s online community platform, EA Xchange, has had business leaders and practitioners. its first full year of operation in 2019–20. Our marketing, brand-building and Providing a collaborative and secure online forum where members worldwide can business development activities engage directly with each other, the platform now has almost 4,900 active users. over the past year have continued to position EngInsure as a trusted and knowledgeable brand that understands engineers. This has resulted in a growth in client numbers, as well as strong policy renewal rates. The EngInsure communications channels keep engineers informed on issues such as professional indemnity insurance requirements, including run-off cover, cyber- insurance in the context of working from home with COVID-19 and The largest EA Xchange online community is the All Member Open contract risks. We held a webinar, Forum, which has over 4,230 members who have collectively created attended by around 1,200 people, 185 discussion threads with over 2,400 replies. According to platform on the professional indemnity hosts Higher Logic, this engagement is well above average. Popular market and the recommended topics have included climate change, career advice, becoming preparation before getting a quote. Chartered, engineer registration and women in engineering. EngInsure has been developed by In addition, EA Xchange hosts 50 private communities including the profession for the profession and a general Volunteer Community and other groups used by college is backed by Whitbread Insurance and technical society boards and division committees. Brokers and Engineers Australia. Award-winning member resource Our comprehensive suite of products includes business, Engineers Australia’s online content hub, personal and life insurance. create Digital, won the Mumbrella Publish Award for Best Business Website 2019. The website was judged on editorial content, reader engagement, marketing, design, effectiveness, user experience Engineers Australia has opened and overall execution. contemporary new CBD member facilities in Brisbane and Sydney (pictured).
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7.3 UPHOLD PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS
Engineers Australia is committed to high standards among members and the entire profession. Our accreditation standards are internationally benchmarked, and our Chartered credential is globally respected. We encourage every engineer to aspire to achieve Engineers Australia credentials. We strive to ensure that accreditation and certification is seen as valuable among not only engineering practitioners but also governments and employers. We are passionate about sustaining world- class engineering education, qualifications Engineering currently faces the challenge of adapting and standards of practice, and we support from prescriptive legislation to goal-setting legislation. engineering professionals in achieving them Previously engineering was the application of existing through a clear pathway of professional knowledge and experience combined with well- standards. The number of people with our Chartered and Engineering Executive credentials developed standards to achieve results. Now legislation reached a record high in 2019–20, as did the and standards are being updated to reference number on the National Engineering Register. ‘best practice’ or ‘designed to be safe’.
JOHN CHAPPELL MIEAust CPEng NER Lead Mechanical Engineer, Covalent Lithium
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NATIONAL ENGINEERING REGISTER Aside from the Chartered credential, our strategy to uphold professional standards can be seen in our commitment to the registration and accreditation of engineering practitioners in Australia. The number of National Engineering Register registrants at 30 June 2020 stood at 23,026, up 7.7% on the previous year.
ENGINEERING EXECUTIVE CREDENTIAL Our invitation-only Engineering Executive (EngExec) credential recognises engineers working at the highest levels of industry, defence and government – people CHARTERED RECORD whose decisions affect engineers, the profession, business and the Australian community more broadly. In 2019–20, we celebrated our 25,000th active Chartered engineer, with more than 26,400 members having become Our EngExecs are powerful advocates who Chartered by the end of the financial year. introduce others to Engineers Australia.
Chartered engineering The impressive roll call of organisations they are involved professionals exhibit in includes Acciona, AECOM, AirBus, Aurecon, internationally benchmarked Beca, Bechtel Mining , BHP Billiton, Boeing, CSR, ExxonMobil, Fulton Hogan, GHD, Infrastructure WORLD ENGINEERS Social program standards of expertise, Australia, Jacobs, KPMG, Norman Disney & Young, CONVENTION The social program included networking opportunities via professionalism and safety. Nova Systems, PWC, Royal Australian Airforce, Engineers Australia and the World Federation of a welcome reception, signature event and young engineers Seven Group, Thiess, Wesfarmers and WSP. event. The Victorian Governor also hosted an exclusive In turn, these engineers enjoy Engineering Organizations (WFEO) co-hosted the event on the final day, celebrating and recognising our challenging and creative career The program’s numbers stand at a record high of 1,144, 6th World Engineers Convention (WEC) in Melbourne Centenary and partnerhsip with WFEO. Guided technical opportunities within their industries. up from 962 a year earlier and having surpassed 1,000 in November 2019 – a coming together of some of the in February 2020. greatest engineering minds from around the globe, tours were available, including one to visit the Budj Bim More members than ever before are hosted in one of the world’s most liveable cities. Cultural Landscape, an ancient Aboriginal aquaculture Chartered today, showing that support for system recently added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. the Chartered credential continues to grow WEC was a major undertaking and a among engineers and their employers. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT resounding success on every measure. The STEM outreach This growth was supported by a new AND COVID-19 marketing campaign. Launched in event put Australian engineering capability Engineers Australia reached students from all age groups November 2019, it featured engineers Engineers Australia’s digital capabilities have grown on the global stage, attracting more than at WEC. We partnered with LEGOLAND Discovery explaining why they became Chartered substantially in the wake of COVID-19, with a rapid 3,000 participants from 73 countries. Centre to host a hands-on workshop for 200 primary and how their career advanced as a result. switch to online-only delivery. school children. The Re-Engineering Australia Foundation worked with us to host 400 high school students on Under our new positioning statement, This also enabled us to introduce an appropriately managed The overarching theme for WEC 2019 was “Engineering a “Where could a career in engineering take you?” An “Chartered – The Measure of Excellence”, calendar of professional development on a broader range of Sustainable World: The Next 100 Years”. The convention Engineers Without Borders Challenge showcase provided the call to action is “Get Chartered, topics, and to select from a wider pool of speakers. We have program offered three days of content featuring six themes first year university students from across Australia Get Started. Start your self- delivered unprecedented access to content, both live and aligned to the United Nations Sustainable Development and New Zealand the opportunity to demonstrate assessment today.” post-event, through the growing library on our new Goals. The international format of WEC provided a their innovative responses to a WaterAid challenge. According to Engineers Australia EA OnDemand video streaming platform. unique opportunity to take an integrated approach to research, 78% of members We are reaching more people than ever before. In 2019–20, discussing and debating many of the problems that the intend to get Chartered. 146,151 people registered for our events, compared world is facing – all of them requiring engineering. to 92,394 in 2018–19.
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ENGINEERING EDUCATION AUSTRALIA
Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2020, our subsidiary business Engineering Education Australia (EEA) exists to enable the development of workforce capability in a dynamic and changing environment for the benefit of the community.
With a rich history of engineering Other new courses included: Ҋ Introduction to Asset Maintenance In 2019–20, our subsidiary Engineering education in Australia, EEA and Reliability Management Ҋ Growth Mindset for Technical Education Australia (EEA) developed a pilot continues to develop and deliver Leaders Ҋ Case for Safety Leadership of next-generation “micro-credentials”, namely high-quality training in collaboration an e-learning program for graduate members of with its parent organisation, and in Ҋ Leading Safety Culture Engineers Australia called Bite Sized Learning. partnership with respected education Major developments Ҋ Safety Leadership Fundamentals and engineering organisations. Ҋ Introduction to Project Planning In 2019–20, major EEA EEA is well attuned to the needs and Control: Optimising developments included: of today’s engineer: training that Investments in Projects is relevant, flexible and trusted. Ҋ Pilot of next-generation “micro- COVID-19 saw us suspend face- credentials”, namely an e-learning Salini Impregilo (now called INDUSTRY Corporate engagement to-face instruction in March program for graduate members Webuild), Swinburne University partnerships 2020 and defer planned new of Engineers Australia called Bite ENGAGEMENT of Technology, the University of courses on flood estimation and Sized Learning Engineers Australia engages These partnerships provide our Melbourne and Victoria University. electrical distribution technology. Ҋ New partnerships, including with industry to forge ongoing members with access to leaders In August 2019, we delivered our Instead, we focused on developing with ANSTO, Queensland Rail, partnerships that serve to uphold across the many industries in which first overseas corporate partnership a selected suite of high-quality Schneider, Thales, the University professional standards. These engineers have a prominent role. events, holding seminars with Exxon New courses webinars, which launched in of Tasmania and Transport agreements currently fall into two These leaders share their real-life Mobil in Singapore and Malaysia. The range and depth of our for NSW main categories, credentialing insights through face-to-face and May, receiving excellent attendee courses continued to expand partnerships and corporate online seminars, as well as through feedback. They included: Ҋ An increased discount for Accreditation in 2019–20, with all courses engagement partnerships. communications across our print, Ҋ Communicating with Impact members of Engineers Australia digital and social media channels. aligning with competency designed to provide them with We assessed and accredited 153 standards for Chartered status. Ҋ Implementing Safety in Design: extra value; this rose permanently Credentialing partnerships Members and non-members have tertiary engineering programs We unveiled a new flagship Determining What is Reasonably from 5% to 15% in July 2019 continued to embrace the model. and made 16 accreditation qualification, the Diploma of Practicable Employers work with Engineers In 2019–20, we held approximately visits, upholding the standards Ҋ Extension of Engineers Australia’s Engineering Infrastructure (Rail), a Australia to recognise, demonstrate 50 corporate engagement partnership of professional engineering Ҋ Introduction to Contracts Graduate Program, which is and independently benchmark partnership with the University of delivered by EEA, to Tasmania seminars, with a higher proportion of qualifications. In response to Ҋ Solar Power in 60 Minutes the skills and experience of their Tasmania and Transport for NSW. international speakers than usual due COVID-19, some accreditation visits Ҋ EEA’s Professional Year Program engineering teams. These agreements This course attracted enrolments Ҋ Getting Things Done: Time to the introduction of an online-only have been rescheduled and other expanded to 1,515 enrolments – demonstrate the value employers from engineers around Australia Management and Self- format in the wake of COVID-19. accreditation activities were moved approximately double the previous place on our credentials such as and is being delivered online. Organisation Our seminar audiences grew, with online. We have engaged with the year – with virtual internships NER, Chartered and EngExec. about 21,000 engineers registering Australian Council of Professions to introduced because of COVID-19 In June 2020, Engineers Australia in 2019–20, up from approximately develop a joint statement of principles concerns expanded its credentialing 8,500 the previous year. Audience in response to COVID-19 to guide agreement with the Australian feedback was strongly positive. universities. We will continue to monitor the impact on universities. Defence Force, which now In 2019–20, we signed new extends to engineers working in In addition, we have been active in ENGINEERING EDUCATION AUSTRALIA: 2019–20 HIGHLIGHTS the Maritime Domain (including partnership agreements determining the future of engineering the Royal Australian Navy) as well with Autodesk, Bentley education and are represented on as engineers in the Air Domain. Systems, Brisbane Airport the steering group for the Australian In addition, in 2019–20 we also Corporation, Hexagon and Council of Engineering Deans’ (ACED) Engineering 2035 Report. We support expanded or formed new partnerships Oracle Engineering. with APA Group, Consolidated ACED’s proposed future directions. Power Projects Australia and Engineers Australia also renewed the University of Tasmania. agreements with Brickworks 309,000+ 4,800+ 74% Our continuing partnerships Australia, Cadgroup, Cardno, Hours of professional Engineers trained Enrolments from 4.5 Star attendee feedback in 2019–20 included AGL, Deakin University, Dulux Protective development delivered from 172 organisations Engineers Australia rating for webinars BMD Constructions, Downer, Coatings, Exxon Mobil, GeoFabrics, members with new KPMG, Metro Trains, McConnell Honeywell, KPMG and Motorola. 15% discount Dowell, PCA, RMIT University, (2018—19: 5,100+ from (2018—19: N/A all courses (2018—19: 246,000+) over 150 organisations) (2018—19: 52%) were face-to-face)
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7.4 CREATE TOMORROW’S ENGINEERS
More than 70% of the fastest-growing occupations in Australia require STEM skills, and a healthy pipeline of engineers is important to help the country grow and thrive. Creating tomorrow’s engineers is a priority for Engineers Australia. We work to raise awareness about the wide range of rewarding career opportunities in engineering, promote the benefits engineers bring to communities and encourage school children to choose STEM subjects.
Liv, 9, and brother Ethan, 7, were among 200 primary school students who participated in a hands-on STEM workshop at the World Engineers Convention, and had the opportunity to see the world’s longest LEGOTM bridge, which stretched to 34 metres and used over 200,000 bricks.
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sySTEMic success
Engineers Australia is building on the success of sySTEMic, a multi- Each year, Engineers Australia engages with young people around the award-winning Year 10 program which saw enrolments in Year country through a series of events, camps and competitions. We work to 11 maths and physics double in a Northern Territory school. increase the participation of women and girls in the profession. In some SySTEMic links Year 10 students with industry mentors to develop states, we run professional development activities for teachers. STEM projects. The students also visit two work sites and a university. In 2018, sySTEMic started as a pilot program at Taminmin College. In 2019, four schools in Alice Springs also took it on, with student participation doubling in 2020.
SySTEMic won Best STEM Program at the 2019 Australian Education Awards and Best STEM Promoter of the Year at the 2019 Australian Information Security Association Awards. STEM review Engineers Australia has applied for a grant from the Australian Government to further develop sySTEMic. Our STEM Strategy 2019–23 aims to sharpen the focus, scale and effectiveness of our existing efforts to Engineers Australia rapidly STARportal statistics promote STEM from primary school expanded online activities up, overcome stereotypes, highlight for children on STARportal – the profession’s contribution to our Events and activities 96% of the high achievers Ҋ Warman Design and Build Australia’s largest searchable communities and promote retention. at the summer school rated Competition: Over 1,900 database of STEM activities – 213,603 Ҋ Experience it!: In September university mechanical engineering to support increased demand Total page views As part of the strategy, in 2019–20 we 2019, over 180 girls from Years themselves as “highly likely” students from the Asia-Pacific from teachers and parents for reviewed all Engineers Australia STEM (+76% on 2018–19) 7–10 gathered in Sydney for to study engineering. participated in the annual activities children could do during activities. As a result, we developed: engineering activities, with competition to “save” the fictional COVID-19-related restrictions Ҋ Schools Toolkit: Our new primary young engineers providing real- Ҋ Dream Big: Engineers Australia planet of Gondwana, which this on schools. STARportal is owned and high school toolkits are designed life examples and context. The hosted a series of movie nights year faced global cooling related and managed by Engineers to help volunteers deliver engaging, program aimed to combat gender at locations across Australia to to wellheads burning out of Australia on behalf of the 56,093 effective, age-appropriate and bias, and involved collaboration showcase the film Dream Big: control. The competition has run Office of the Chief Scientist. between universities and industry since 1988, with 54,000 students Total users consistently high-quality sessions Engineering Our World. The film Updates included: in schools. It includes a presentation partners with support from the is an inspiring exploration of participating. The University of (+63% on 2018–19) pack with embedded video, Office of the NSW Chief Scientist the human ingenuity behind Auckland won the 2019 title. Ҋ Quadrupling online learning brochures, posters and a tutorial & Engineer and WestConnex. engineering marvels and reveals activities available in the three to guide volunteers. Traditionally held in New South what drives engineers to create months to June 2020 Engagement Wales, this program is set to better lives for people worldwide. Ҋ Shortlist of programs with potential extend nationally in 2020–21. Ҋ For the first time, including 334 to be scaled nationally: These include The movie nights promoted Ҋ Engineering Studies teacher online activities from Ҋ Engineering Games: New materials engineering to late primary and program: With roots in a pilot Approved providers the sysSTEMic program for Year 10 international sources as well students from areas of low socio- were developed to empower early high school age students and program in the Newcastle area, (+13% on 2018–19) as educational videos economic status, Experience It! primary school teachers around were followed by discussion with this Engineers Australia program local engineers. was delivered online to teachers Ҋ Prioritising online learning program for girls in Years 7–10, Australia to run a program of from around New South Wales in as the default category and the Engineering Games for engineering activities under the Ҋ Futures in Engineering: This 2019–20 after being accredited in searches primary schools. “Engineering Games” banner. Engineers Australia program in by the NSW Education Standards Tasmania provided a full day of Ҋ Increasing social media 1,511 Ҋ Honeywell Engineering Summer Authority the year before. hands-on STEM activities for 90 presence to include Twitter, School: Held in December 2019, Approved activities students in Years 10–12 this year, It provides Engineering Studies YouTube and Instagram, along this year’s program attracted 97 (+62% on 2018–19) running in Hobart, Launceston teachers with current industry with continuing Facebook high-performing students from and Burnie. The program raised information and practical, real- promotion across New South Wales, one third of them girls – a record for their awareness of engineering world examples of engineering the event. An Engineers Australia careers and connected them to principles in action. their local university campus. initiative, the program combines Ҋ Splat: Sponsored by Engineers universities, industry partners, Australia, the Splat is a seemingly university engineering students simple piece of plastic that and young professional engineers. enables children to draw in 3D. The junior engineering tool received a gold recognition at the Good Design Awards in July 2019.
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7.5 OPERATE SUSTAINABLY
It is vital that Engineers Australia can deliver services to our members effectively and efficiently. We are committed to working with staff and volunteers to continually improve our ways of working. A data-driven and performance-based approach ensures that we manage our costs. Work to diversify our income streams continues.
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COVID-19: SUPPORTING OUR TEAM Engineers Australia has provided Staff feedback support to safeguard and inform staff throughout the COVID-19 In June 2020, Engineers Australia pandemic including through: surveyed staff about COVID-19 Ҋ Communications, including and the workplace, finding: online video CEO updates Ҋ COVID-19 special leave 77% Ҋ Flexible work e.g. equipment loan, ICT support and changes were working from home FOCUS ON ACHIEVE EMBRACE ACT WITH in work hours most of the time CUSTOMERS TOGETHER PROGRESS INTEGRITY Ҋ Additional office cleaning, signage and physical distancing measures 99% had a clear understanding of what was expected of them Ҋ Bulk text message system to enable rapid emergency contact with staff 91% agreed that support and ORGANISATIONAL VALUES if needed resources had been appropriate Ҋ Mental health resources, including We expect and encourage staff and volunteers to demonstrate our time off to recharge during a 88% found that communication from Engineers Australia values, which were developed in 2017–18. We promote dedicated “wellness day”, written Engineers Australia was helpful their importance via performance appraisals, signage and recognition resources and reminders about free, confidential counselling 86% were confident Engineers of employees in our STAR and Spotlight Awards programs. available under our Employee Australia was doing everything Assistance Program practical to keep staff in our offices safe
PEOPLE MANAGEMENT WORKPLACE CULTURE Ҋ Exploring the option of holding Investing in our people In 2019–20, we also continued Work health and safety additional events, such as a to offer a national training calendar, FRAMEWORK graduate conference induction Our people are our most valuable with an emphasis on improving We are unconditionally committed Ideas initiative asset, and we are strongly leadership and management skills, to ensuring the highest possible Engineers Australia recognises Ҋ Establishing working groups committed to the ongoing including people management. standards of work health and safety that good people management to improve recognition of To recognise that great ideas lie development of our workforce. Subjects included: (WHS) in all regards, across all our begins with attracting, developing achievements like Fellow status, as across all parts of our organisation, offices and worksites. We report and retaining high-performing well as to support STEM delivery In April 2020, Engineers Australia Ҋ Leadership and Management in 2019–20 Engineers Australia monthly on WHS to the Executive individuals who are passionate extended the range of learning Essentials: For current leaders established an “All Ideas Matter” email Leadership Team and to the Board about working collaboratively. opportunities available to staff, (sessions for emerging leaders inbox. Staff have embraced the new Onboarding improvements each time it meets. The Board partnering with LinkedIn Learning were postponed due to Our staff management life cycle system and had contributed 80 ideas People and Culture committee to offer access to more than COVID-19) begins with a new hire’s induction. by the end of June 2020. Among the A cross-functional staff team met three times in 2019–20. 4,000 short courses online. Throughout their employment, actions we’ve taken as a result are: identified and delivered onboarding Ҋ Mental Health in the Workplace: we work with all staff to ensure Ҋ Improving the consistency of how improvements including a clearly Access to this service was A session for managers and a they can access the support and events are listed for members articulated employer value brought forward due to the session for all general staff resources they need to help us proposition, employee welcome packs COVID-19 pandemic. Among Ҋ Building Resilience and our members, and to ensure Ҋ Updating the phone messaging and an introductory slide deck to our staff, 61% logged in to the high levels of career satisfaction. system to help our team assist enable managers to better explain service, with the most popular Ҋ Business Writing Skills members faster the work of Engineers Australia. The content undertaken being: project aimed to leave new starters Ҋ Captivating Presentations Ҋ Examining new finance approaches, feeling empowered and supported Ҋ The Six Morning Habits of High such as implementing different In addition, we offered staff access to begin in their new roles. Performers payment methods and changing to on-the-job and induction training, how we deal with membership Ҋ Excel: Conditional Formatting for technical and ICT development and concessions The Onboarding Working Group Beginners the opportunity to attend external conferences, seminars and webinars. identified Engineers Australia’s Ҋ Excel Essential Training employer value proposition as: “Inclusive, flexible and Ҋ Project Management Foundations rewarding. So you can grow, Ҋ Strategic Thinking achieve and make a difference.” 48 49 ENGINEERS AUSTRALIA ANNUAL REPORT 2019–2020
Investing in technology
Engineers Australia works to improve our services by investing in technology in a considered and strategic way for maximum impact. Achievements include: Ҋ Streamlining member sign-up: This project halved the number of steps required to join Engineers Australia online, with a typical application form now taking less than 10 minutes to complete. Ҋ Live chat: A new online chat box on the Engineers Australia website connects visitors to our service centre. Between late April and the end of June 2020, an average of about 165 chats per day were logged, with membership, migration and credentials the most common topics. Ҋ COVID-19 transformation: Getting our staff set up to work from home rapidly and efficiently so we could continue to provide quality services remotely. Ҋ Expanded digital engagement: As in-person events became impractical due to COVID-19, Engineers Australia provided technical support to enable the rapid expansion of our selection of live webinar offerings, and recordings on our new high-quality video-streaming platform EA OnDemand.
Our service improvements this year include halving the number of steps required to join Engineers Australia online.
50 51 ENGINEERS AUSTRALIA ANNUAL REPORT 2019–2020 8 DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
Engineers Australia works to achieve an engineering profession as diverse as the community it serves. As the peak body we must lead the way. In 2019–20 we achieved a gender target we had set in 2017, with female representation in our office bearer community growing to 30% on average – although progress is uneven across different committees and groups. Engineers Australia is also increasingly active in our support for members of the LGBTQI+ engineering community and Indigenous engineers.
I hope for a career that contributes to society in a meaningful way. I want it all: stability, job satisfaction, ongoing learning opportunities and a chance to make a real difference. Naïve I know, but why not?
Engineers Australia’s International Women’s Day GRACE RANSLEY events were sold out in three cities. Attendees at the StudIEAust Melbourne event (pictured) take the “Each for Equal” pose to reflect this year’s theme. Student Electronics and Communications Engineer, University of Tasmania
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International Women’s Day
Engineers Australia’s four International Women’s Day events in Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney and Perth attracted 2,200 attendees, with three of the events sold out. The keynote speaker was Nadine Champion, a World Cup-winning kickboxer, author and entrepreneur. Her engaging presentation on resilience and facing WOMEN AND GIRLS change inspired the events’ attendees to take “10 seconds of courage”. Audience feedback has been overwhelming positive, with a survey finding that 98% would recommend an Engineers Australia IN ENGINEERING International Women’s Day event to a colleague. These events continue to position Engineers Australia Engineers Australia believes in promoting gender diversity in as a thought leader in gender diversity, as well as engineering, and the need to ensure that position is reflected in our a facilitator of valuable networking. publications, our events and our volunteer groups and committees. Dr Bronwyn Evans and keynote speaker, kickboxer Nadine Champion.
Engineers Australia strives to The winners for 2019 were: Ҋ Coverage in August 2019 in attract, retain, support and celebrate The Guardian, The Australian, Most Outstanding Company women in engineering, as well as ABC Online and The Canberra boost the number of girls pursuing Winner: Hatch Times quoting Engineers Australia DIVERSITY INITIATIVES EXPAND engineering education. Some of Highly Commended: Norman on engineering careers for women our efforts this year include: Disney & Young in response to a decision by UTS Most Ambitious Company to change entry requirements Indigenous Engineers Group LGBTQI+ engagement grows Winner: Stantec Australia for women Volunteer leadership gender The Indigenous Engineers Group (IEG) is a In 2020, Engineers Australia, Aurecon and Pride in Highly Commended: QinetQ diversity 2019–20 As an employer working group within Engineers Australia’s Diversity became founding partners of InterEngineer, an Most Encouraging Student College of Leadership and Management. independent industry group for lesbian, gay, bisexual, or Not-for-Profit Group Ҋ Remuneration review: Engineers transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI+) engineers Focused on connecting inspired and educated Office bearers % Female Australia has completed a and their allies. It is designed to promote LGBTQI+ Winner: Engineers Without professional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Borders Australia comprehensive review of inclusion through networking and advocacy activities. people from an engineering background, the group is EA Board 29% Highly Commended: Precious remuneration as part of our committed to expressing Indigenous culture as a form of Plastic Monash efforts to ensure staff are paid InterEngineer aims to ensure the engineering Congress 20% awareness within the industry to bring together shared fairly and in line with the market. profession is inclusive for LGBTQI+ individuals knowledge, perspectives, support and inspiration. College boards 39% Raising awareness on gender so they can confidently bring their authentic Ҋ Policies: We have implemented selves to work and thrive in their careers. Division committees 32% Engineers Australia works with a new policy on responses to Ҋ The Engineers Australia IEG held its inaugural event domestic and family violence and at WSP’s office in Brisbane during NAIDOC Week Ҋ InterEngineer was launched at an Aurecon Mardi Gras Technical society the media to raise awareness 14% updated other policies to reflect 2019; it centred around Indigenous engagement and morning tea in Sydney in February 2020. Engineers committees about the importance of diversity and inclusion in engineering. current best practice. development in the engineering profession. Australia CEO Dr Bronwyn Evans and Board Director Other national Hurol Inan participated in an event panel alongside 36% Ҋ Training: Engineers Australia Ҋ During Reconciliation Week in May 2020, Engineers committees According to the Australian partnered with external providers Australia’s IEG ran a webinar featuring a panel of speakers from Aurecon and Pride in Diversity. to deliver training to increase Indigenous engineers exploring what inclusion looks Total 30% Bureau of Statistics, only Ҋ Engineers Australia is managing the InterEngineer awareness of violence against like in the engineering profession. working group, which has articulated and agreed 13.6% of qualified engineers women and capability to respond. their aim, purpose and governance structure ahead in Australia are women. of further activities planned for 2020–21. We are Gender Diversity Awards Ҋ Workshops: In collaboration with University agreement our partner Male Champions of also providing database management support. A new memorandum of understanding with James Engineers Australia’s Diversity Our media coverage on Change, we held workshops in Ҋ Engineers do not have to be members of Engineers Cook University’s Indigenous Education and Research Awards Program seeks to identify, this subject includes: Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra Australia to join InterEngineer. Centre will see us work together to: develop recognise and reward companies that with men at different levels of Ҋ An extended profile with CEO Dr new STEM teaching materials for disadvantaged The InterEngineer initiative expands on Engineers strive towards engineering excellence Engineers Australia. Bronwyn Evans in The Australian in regional and remote people; facilitate Indigenous Australia’s membership of Pride in Diversity, a not- through greater gender diversity. November in which she discussed Ҋ Workforce demographics: cadetships and scholarships with industry partners; for-profit LGBTQI+ inclusion program for employers. efforts to influence not only girls Engineers Australia currently and form an Indigenous advocacy group to address deciding on their careers, but the has 303 employees. Our overall the big issues facing Indigenous education. people influencing their choices workforce is predominantly female (61%). Of 36 Executive Leadership Team/business unit leaders, 58% are female.
54 55 ENGINEERS AUSTRALIA ANNUAL REPORT 2019–2020 9 ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
Engineers Australia is committed to promoting sustainability amongst members, the engineering profession, governments and other stakeholders. Climate change presents a very real and increasingly urgent challenge that impacts the past, present and future work of engineers. Engineers will play a vital role, not only in developing resilience in facing a new climate but in cutting emissions to reduce the extent of change – and associated destructive weather events. I encourage engineers to always ask and engage with Our profession must be at the centre the hard questions. The energy transition is not only a of change, and Engineers Australia is committed to leading the way. technical transition, it is a transition of communities from one industry to the next with wide ranging social, economic and environmental impacts and it is our role to address them all.
SARAH HANNAH MIEAust CPEng NER Head of Asset Performance, AGL
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ENGINEERING RESPONSES TO CLIMATE CHANGE ROUNDTABLE Engineers Australia’s work towards sustainability includes advocacy, In February 2020, Engineers Australia held a business engagement, professional development for engineers and roundtable in Sydney on engineering responses to climate change. The event drew together leaders actions to reduce our organisation’s carbon dioxide emissions. Our Code from the CSIRO, engineering consultancies and of Ethics requires members to promote sustainability by fostering the other groups. Participants concluded engineering will play a vital role in developing resilience in health, safety and wellbeing of the community and the environment. a new climate and reducing the number and regularity of destructive weather events. A report from the event was published on the Engineers Australia website, with findings including: Ҋ Recent disasters and community expectations With the assistance of our Engineers Australia’s office in In 2019–20 we diverted 975 kg show action is urgent. Environmental College and Canberra was re-accredited with of organic waste from landfill Sustainable Engineering Society, the ACT Government Actsmart in Canberra and approximately Ҋ Climate science must lead the way, and climate we are currently producing a business recycling program, which 180 kg in Melbourne. considerations must be integrated from the detailed video training course on has seen our waste to landfill from start of infrastructure projects. Change will COVID-19 saw our number of flights sustainability designed to empower that office fall 72% since 2011 and centre around increasing resilience to new taken drop 29%, from 1,959 in engineers as individuals to answer waste sent to recycling rise 112%. environmental threats. 2018–19 to 1,398 this year, with no the question: “How can I help?” COVID-19 impacts contributed flights in April, May or June 2020. Ҋ Engineers must become trusted advisors and leaders around decisions on infrastructure As an environmentally conscious to a drop in our carbon employer we continue to implement planning and operation to minimise carbon our 2015 Sustainability Action Plan. dioxide emissions from office emissions. The profession requires strong energy use and travel. leadership on climate change, and that leadership We actively participate in must come from Engineers Australia. sustainability initiatives, and all employees are educated on our waste management practices as part of their induction.
Office paper use – number of reams Emissions from our direct energy consumption (100% recycled): (gas and electricity – tonnes of CO2): WORLD ENGINEERING DAY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 1,641 1,053.48 1,551 On 4 March 2020, the global engineering community 943.67 961.06 marked the first ever World Day of Engineering for 1,343 1,328 902.41 Sustainable Development. The creation of the World Day had been announced the previous November 787 in Melbourne at the World Engineers Convention and has been adopted by the United Nations. Engineers Australia marked the occasion with: Ҋ An Ask An Expert session on the EA Xchange online platform with ACT Chief Engineer Adrian Piani (right)
553 Ҋ A series of social media posts and articles based around the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals Ҋ Morning teas for staff to celebrate the importance of the profession 2015–16 2016–17 2017–18 2018–19 2019–20 2015–16 2016–17 2017–18 2018–19 2019–20
58 59 ENGINEERS AUSTRALIA ANNUAL REPORT 2019–2020
Mr John Lau Ms Heather Foss Dr Bronwyn Evans Ms Jane Hanks Mr Jeff Hughes Executive General Manager Acting Executive General Manager Chief Executive Officer Executive General Manager Executive General Manager Governance and Support Services Professional Standards and Practice BE (Elec) PhD HonFIEAust CPEng Membership and Growth Member Engagement BCom FCA CompIEAust CompIEAust EngExec FTSE BEc/LLB CompIEAust GAICD FAMI CPM BBus/Acc CA CompIEAust
John is a Chartered Accountant with Heather has 20 years’ experience in Appointed as Engineers Australia Jane was appointed Executive General Jeff has 17 years of experience in 20 years’ experience in senior leadership senior management and executive CEO in October 2019, Bronwyn has Manager Membership and Growth in professional membership bodies, 10 positions. His broad experience helps roles, in which she has led and grown over 35 years’ experience. She was 2018. She has significant experience having previously worked at CPA to ensure that Engineers Australia’s businesses in the private sector, including previously CEO of Standards Australia, in the services sector with senior Australia. Prior to his career in support and governance functions will her own. She has been responsible for and has also held senior executive roles in Novotel Brisbane (Accor), membership, he held senior finance continue to capably support the delivery leading multidisciplinary teams across roles at Cochlear and GE Healthcare. Griffith University, Mallesons Stephen roles within professional services of the group’s strategic objectives. sales, finance, administration, insurance, Her board experience encompasses Jaques and Dentons Australia. firm PwC and the Rio Tinto group. customer service and human resources. the construction, medical technology, innovation and digital business sectors.
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM
60 61 ENGINEERS AUSTRALIA ANNUAL REPORT 2019–2020 11 THANK YOU TO OUR VOLUNTEERS AND OFFICE BEARERS
Engineers Australia has more than 2,000 volunteers occupying about 2,500 volunteer roles. Our volunteers both drive and support the breadth of our work to advance the science and practice of engineering for the benefit of the community.
We value the immense contribution We are privileged to have so and shared leadership of our many members who want to volunteers. The strength of our make a difference to the groups and committees comes profession and community as from the members who bring their Engineers Australia volunteers. skills, expertise and enthusiasm to Without our volunteers, much of advancing the profession through what we do would not be possible. working in partnership with employees. They devote many hours Our groups: to our profession, and add to the body of engineering knowledge. Volunteers provide guidance on Number of: Total our advocacy and policy, represent us on external groups, deliver Technical societies 29 technical professional development, Centres and special interest groups 2 help to accredit universities ... and much more. We would like to National committees and joint boards 11 express our appreciation for their Congress 1 voluntary contributions including, this year, their support and flexibility Division committees 9 when it comes to COVID-19- College boards 9 related changes and restrictions. Overseas chapters 6 Our volunteers are our ambassadors – their ability Other groups and committees 200+ to talk knowledgeably and passionately about the benefits of being part of Engineers Australia contributes enormously Ms Trang Pham, Engineers Australia volunteer. to our future success.
62 63 ENGINEERS AUSTRALIA ANNUAL REPORT 2019–2020
Engineers Australia is grateful to our DIVISION PRESIDENTS volunteers, who contribute to our work in a wide range of areas
WESTERN SOUTH TASMANIA NORTHERN NEWCASTLE AUSTRALIA AUSTRALIA
Ms Jillian Formentin Mr Michael Scott Mr David Finnigan Ms Sinead Redmond Mr Joe Townsend FIEAust CPEng EngExec NER MIEAust CPEng NER FIEAust CPEng NER TMIEAust MIEAust Expand engineering Facilitate professional Accredit university knowledge development courses
SYDNEY VICTORIA QUEENSLAND CANBERRA Develop Australian Act as ambassadors Create tomorrow’s standards engineers Ms Jessica Qiu Mr Grant Scott Mr Colin Mitchell Mr Kevin Earle FIEAust CPEng NER FIEAust CPEng EngExec NER FIEAust CPEng EngExec NER FIEAust CPEng EngExec NER
COLLEGE CHAIRS
Mentor others Provide access Share expertise to networks
ELECTRICAL CIVIL CIVIL STRUCTURAL BIOMEDICAL
Dr Peter Sokolowski Mr Paul Collier Ms Lydia Gentle Mr Peter Statton Mr Mike Flood Inform policy Inform our media and Share business FIEAust CPEng NER FIEAust CPEng EngExec NER FIEAust CPEng EngExec NER FIEAust CPEng NER FIEAust CPEng NER development government advocacy insights
Recognise outstanding Celebrate engineering Represent us in CHEMICAL ENVIRONMENTAL ITEE LEADERSHIP AND MECHANICAL achievements heritage external groups MANAGEMENT Mr Grant Scott Ms Lara Harland Dr Walter Green Dr Anne Hellstedt Mr Roderick McDonald FIEAust CPEng EngExec NER FIEAust CPEng NER FIEAust CPEng FIEAust CPEng EngExec NER FIEAust CPEng EngExec NER
64 65 ENGINEERS AUSTRALIA ANNUAL REPORT 2019–2020
CHAPTER PRESIDENTS TECHNICAL SOCIETIES
Australasian Association of Engineering Education Mr Mark Symes
Australasian Particle Technology Society A/Prof Yansong Shen
Electric Energy Society of Australia Mr Jeff Allen
Electromagnetic Compatibility Society of Australia Mr Mark Mifsud HONG KONG MALAYSIA SINGAPORE Society for Building Services Engineering Mr Alan Coote
Mr Simon Tong Mr Tan Kian Hwa Mr Philip Kok Leong Chan Society for Engineering in Agriculture Mr Glen Riethmuller FIEAust CPEng(Ret) FIEAust CPEng NER MIEAust Australian Society for Bulk Solids Handling Prof Mark Jones
Australian Cost Engineering Society Mr Leonardo Ferro
Australian Composite Structures Society Dr Rodney Thomson
Australian Earthquake Engineering Society Mr Trevor Allen
Australian Geomechanics Society Dr Nina Levy
Australian Society for Defence Engineering Mr Denton Bocking
QATAR UNITED ARAB EMIRATES UNITED KINGDOM Australian Tunnelling Society Dr Harry Asche
Eng Mustafa El Cherkawi Mr Hazem Hanafy Aly Ms Nicola Telcik Australian Shotcrete Society Dr Stefan Bernard MIEAust CPEng FIEAust CPEng FIEAust CPEng NER Mr Dominic Posavec & Mining Electrical and Mining Mechanical Engineering Society Mr Murray Timpson
Mine Subsidence Technological Society Mr Richard Walsh
Sustainable Engineering Society Mr Steve Posselt COMMITTEES Systems Engineering Society of Australia Mr John Nasr
Joint Board for Aerospace Engineering Prof Murray Scott Society of Fire Safety Dr Jonathan Barnett
Joint Board for Naval Architecture Mr Bruce Howard Risk Engineering Society Mr Geoff Hurst
Engineering Heritage Australia Mr Merv Lindsay Railway Technical Society of Australasia Mr Maneesh Gupta
Women in Engineering National Committee Ms Hayley Rohrlach Transport Australia society Mr Shalendra Ram
Young Engineers Australia National Committee Mr Jordan Butler Asset Management Council Dr Anne Gibbs
National Committee for Engineering Associates and Technologists Mr Marcelo Botelho Institute of Industrial Engineers Australia Mr David Karr
National Committee on Applied Mechanics Dr Raj Das Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia Mr David Jenkins
National Committee on Mechatronics Dr Dzung Dao Institute of Materials Engineering Australia Dr Roger Lumley
National Committee on Rehabilitation Engineering Dr Iain Brown Australasian Fluid and Thermal Society Prof Tilak Tissa Chandratilleke
National Panel on Clinical Engineering Mr Melvin Mazid
National Committee on Space Engineering Mr Roger Franzen
National Committee on Automation Control & Instrumentation Prof Victor Sreeram AFFILIATED GROUP
National Committee on Water Engineering Mr Robin Connolly RedR Australia Ltd Dr Robert Care National Committee on Coastal and Ocean Engineering Mr Edward Couriel
Indigenous Engineers Committee Mr Grant Maher
66 67 ENGINEERS AUSTRALIA ANNUAL REPORT 2019–2020 12 OVERVIEW OF FIVE YEARS 2015–16 TO 2019–20 2015–16 2016–17 2017–18 2018–19 2019–20
$m $m $m $m $m FINANCIAL RESULTS Income Net membership subscriptions 22.476 23.254 24.116 25.402 27.737 In the 2019–20 financial year, the Engineers Australia consolidated Courses, conferences/meetings and CPD 10.734 11.600 12.160 22.526 26.416 group delivered a broad range of services, while continuing to Assessment and registration fees 11.801 19.684 19.960 20.575 20.035 Sponsorships, grants and commissions 3.179 3.751 3.207 2.456 3.250 be prudently managed to ensure ongoing financial strength. Publishing 0.970 1.207 1.019 0.841 0.807 This resulted in a $6.8 million operating surplus for the year. Other revenue 1.213 1.685 1.651 1.566 1.777
The group is financially strong with members’ funds We are keenly aware of the impact of COVID-19 50.373 61.181 62.113 73.366 80.022 increasing to $59.6 million. Excellent group liquidity was on our members. Membership fees were not evident in operating cash flows that generated $13.5 raised on 1 July 2020. Fee concessions were made million during the year, contributing to a strong cash available to members who required assistance. Expense balance of $46.4 million. Engineers Australia invested We have realigned parts of the business to ensure that Employee and consultancy expenses 26.885 27.467 29.198 32.015 32.463 $12.0 million in medium- and long-term investments members remain well supported, and this has included that are managed by global investment manager, Administration, travel, publication 9.743 10.673 11.555 13.358 12.532 further investment in the group’s online learning platforms. Morgan Stanley, which grew to $12.5 million by 30 and IT expenses June, despite the year’s turbulent investment market. Premises expenses (excluding depreciation) 3.275 3.410 3.418 3.529 2.126 The group will continue to explore ways Total income grew by $6.7 million, underpinned by Depreciation and amortisation 2.205 2.485 3.801 3.390 5.392 to innovate and improve the support $27.7 million of membership subscriptions, and the Courses and conference/meeting expenses 7.997 9.447 8.554 15.897 17.459 continued growth in education courses offered by and services it offers to members. Engineering Education Australia (EEA). EEA revenues Other 0.187 0.429 1.368 0.635 3.233 grew by $2.4 million to $21.9 million, due largely to the Overall, the group is in a very strong financial success of the Professional Year Program. An important position and is well placed to continue to deliver 50.292 53.911 57.894 68.824 73.205 aspect of the group’s financial sustainability is that its its services in a financially sustainable manner, both income is derived from diversified sources. These also during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. include migration skills assessment, Chartered membership Operating surplus/(deficit) 0.081 7.270 4.219 4.542 6.817 assessment, conferences and events, and advertising in Asset revaluation 0.037 3.982 0.361 0.445 (0.147) the create magazine. It is pleasing to note that the World Engineers Convention in 2019 was a financial success. Transfers & net profit from joint ventures – – – – 0.062 During the past financial year, Engineers Increase/(decrease) in members’ funds 0.118 11.252 4.580 4.987 6.732 Australia has continued to focus on improving its cost structures to operate more efficiently and invest in new offerings to members. Total members’ funds 32.048 43.300 47.880 52.867 59.599 New member facilities were opened in Sydney and Brisbane. EA Xchange, our digital community platform, *The consolidated entity comprises the Institution of Engineers Australia and its subsidiaries, Engineers Australia Pty Ltd, Australian Engineering had its first full year of operation. When face-to-face Foundation Ltd, EngInsure Pty Ltd and Engineering Education Australia Pty Ltd and its subsidiary (The Moreland Group Pty Ltd). Audited full activity was suspended because of COVID-19, we financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2020 will be presented at the Annual General Meeting on 2 December 2020. They are available in PDF were quickly able to transition to full online delivery at www.engineersaustralia.org.au/annualreport. of member events. Our new video streaming library Board remuneration EA OnDemand was launched to enable anytime The Board of Engineers Australia consists of up to eight directors. Total director remuneration is capped annually at $290,000 (last approved access to professional development content. by National Congresss in November 2017), indexed to the Wage Price Index each year. Please refer to Note 20 of the Annual Consolidated Financial Report for the financial year ended 30 June 2020, which can be found on the Engineers Australia website.
68 69 ENGINEERS AUSTRALIA ANNUAL REPORT 2019–2020
Some of the most challenging projects in recent times are investigations into electric shock incidences in mines which have occurred on equipment that is otherwise in perfect working order. This has led to ongoing research into understanding the methods by which an electric shock can occur and developing methods to avoid them into the future, making for a safer working environment.
PETER STEPIEN PhD FIEAust SMIEEE CPEng NER RPEQ Principal Engineer, ResTech
70 OUR PURPOSE IS TO ADVANCE THE SCIENCE AND PRACTICE OF ENGINEERING FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMMUNITY